rusaccord

I'm thinking about buying an 86 N/A rx7, and I've got a question. I've driven it a couple of times, and there seems to be a problem. At anything faster than 30-40mph, the *** of the car slides around a bit too much. There's no wheel screech, just this strange feeling that something in the rear suspension is extremely loose. I mean, even my 91 Accord feels a hell of a lot tighter at those speeds and holds the road like nothing else.

iluvrx7z

Probably worn out DTSS bushings. Eliminator bushings remove the system altogether and should firm up the ride.

Alternatively you can purchase the entire rear hub assembly which will include factory bushings, however this is expensive. You MAY be able to get just the bushings but I am unsure.

rusaccord

DTSS is the toe-out system at high loads, right? So, would it still affect the steering under light loads at those speeds?

iluvrx7z

If they are in perfect working condition I would assume not, but if they are worn out...

jacobcartmill

iTrader: (6)

damn i thought this thread was gonna be some kind of hardcore **** or something... moving on..

3isacharm

yeah, i was kinda disappointed too.

iluvrx7z, mazda does not sell the bushing alone, you either get the hub assembly or the eliminators.

rusaccord, how are you driving this car? are you throwing it into corners at 30-40? what tires are on the car?

iluvrx7z

Yeah...I figured you couldn't get them anymore, I know there was a thread a few days ago, I think a member was trying to get just the bushings, didn't follow up on the success...I guess those interested must search

n4ji

iTrader: (1)

Show us your camel toe... I'll have to give that a big thumbs down....

rusaccord

185 **** tires are on the car, and it's not mine yet. The loose *** problem surfaces when, at any speed above 40mph on a straight highway, I start swerving slightly, even within my own lane. The front wheels stay perfectly planted, while the back seems to be very loose, sliding side to side, as if the tires lose traction, but without any tire screech.


This is one of the last factors standing between me and the car, because I'm afraid that it's a structural problem that eliminator bushings wouldn't solve.

Sesshoumaru

iTrader: (1)

sagg'n suspension?

i bought my TII with 200k on it and it was litterly lowered with stock susupension (the new suspension was suspose to lower it 2 inches but raised it about a inch ).

had sever camber b/c of it and would take no effort to get it go sideways.

take it to sears or sumthing and have them take a look see. I dont' think it cost anything.

rusaccord

The car has 55k miles on it, could it be sagging that badly?

andrew lohaus

maybe 55k but still 17 years old, my '91 is already saging.

rusaccord

So, what're the ideas so far, saggy suspension (shocks, springs) and DTSS (eliminator bushings)??

Relisys190

iTrader: (4)

well, first, welcome to the forum, you've picked a great place to ask questions and get some great information.

My car currently has a similar problem, although your problem might be slightly worse. It sounds to me that your rear suspension is worn, extreamly... I know for a fact that my rear suspension is terribly worn, but for now there is nothing i can do about it, i plan on replacing both rear struts and installing toe eliminator bushings.. that would definatly help any problems that you have.

Here's a quick strut test, with the car sitting on a flat surface place your hands on the back bumper, bounce the rear of the car a couple of times with your hands than let go... see how many times the rear end bounces up and down... it shouldnt be any... once you let go it should just come back up and set.. When i bounce mine by hand and let go it bounces 3 times! lol

-Markus

"Good luck, enjoy the rx-7 if you get it. And please take care of her."

rusaccord

2 or 3 times sounds about right. The front is definitely much stiffer, but I thought that it was just because of lower spring rates in the back. Or maybe this whole higher spring rate in the front thing is a leftover of my Honda experience.

Thanks for the welcome, too. It's much appreciated.

Relisys190

iTrader: (4)

Rusaccord, the car should not bounce, once you let get it should come right back up and settle back to normal ride hight...

I'm sure you feel it on the road, it will feel as if the rear end is bouncing whenever you take a corner, or even hit a hump in the road.

and also get some real tires on that thing man, it'll never handle it's suppose to with those weak *** 185's on there.

-Markus

"Again good luck"

rusaccord

Does an N/A 86 rx7 have enough power to go autocrossing, though? And could there be structural damage beyond what the shocks, springs, and eliminator bushings would fix?

Relisys190

iTrader: (4)

Man, you'll love the n/a power once you learn how to run it.. alot of guys on here will tell you they LOVE their n/a's for autocrossing, i've never acctually been, but this is what i know, the n/a rotary has such a linear power band it makes for a great autocross/roadrace engine.

You could get under the car and check for any obvious damage, check out the lateral links that go from the hub to a cross member in the center/rear of the car. I hit a curb once and had to replace a bent lateral link. took 30 min max.

-Markus

ERAUMAZDA

Make sure all your brakes are properly working and all tires are evenly pressured. Bad bad brakes can make the car run a little ackward...also check your bushings under your car.

rusaccord

How much do you think it's worth? No rust, 55k miles, garaged every winter, minor repairs to the front right fender and rear left quarter panel, base model, engine purrs, but seems to have little power (5th and 6th ports might be stuck), and the loose *** problem.

hypntyz7

Cars I have seen with this problem either have a) bad rear struts or b) broken/loose links/arms on the subframe. I *really* doubt dtss busings would cause this problem, never had a set cause a noticeable problem on teh street. Tires arent helping Im sure, but I doubt they cause THAT much of a problem. I say get under there and start checking for bent **** or play in stuff. Whatever you find, it wont be too expensive to fix, unless the subframe itself is broken.

I'd say get it.

poor college student

if you've got bad rear struts, check my sig, i've got a set for sale... sorry, had to get my plug in... as for auto-xing w/ the n/a like mentioned above, it's friggin' hella fun... that and tracking it. Granted i'm not very good or anything, but it's still fun as hell

3isacharm

why does it matter? you can't see **** anyways.

rusaccord, i love autox'ing my car. fun as ****. and when it comes to power and autox, you'll learn that there are many other things to consider.

rusaccord

Well, I know that, I've been autocrossing my Accord for about a year and a half.

Rotory

iTrader: (1)

my 88TII does the same thing almost exactly except it is fine in straight aways. It actually seems to do it worse on changes in road height..not like going up hill, but the slight difference in the lane height at the center dividing line. Also when i go around slight long left handers seems like the front tire is wobbling like mad or some ****.