I just bought a 1988 Convertible Rx7, N/A 85K on engine, sweet car inside and out. This forum has been a wealth if information for me in the past, when I was concentrating on my 1st gen. Now I have a 2nd gen and I have some issues and need some insight.

1. Steering, turning the wheel creates a "popping" sound. Power steering / assist. this sound can be heard while the car is stationary and in motion, when turning corners. Also, while the car is in motion at low RPMS, I turn a corner a sound generates like that of something moving around underneath the car, it sounds similar to a knocking noise.

2. Shifting is becoming difficult, as its not as smooth as stock might have been. Some grinding in 1st and 2nd as well as reverse. clutch master and slave cylinder may need replacement?

3. There is also a knocking sound when I shift, I'm thinking U-joints, but not sure.

4. Shifter vibrates at idle, which mounts would need to be replaced to stop the vibration.

5. When car is warming up, at 1500 RPM's the idle surges for several minutes and returns to normal.

6. One more thing, what are some signs that the Transmission is going?

Suggestions, comments? I have run searches and have found some possible answers. Though I just want to cover all the bases. Its a beautiful car and I want it completely restored within the next couple months.

 

Try changing the shifter bushings and it should cure the shifter vibrating and help you with the shifting becoming smoother.
The gear grinding MAY be cured by the bushings, if not check to see if the slave is fully engaging, maybe also try adjusting the clutch by turning the nut under the clutch pedal.
Get under the car and see if you can move the driveshaft back and forth, look at the u-joints for excess play
When the idle surges just tap on the gas pedal it will even right out.
I would check all the motor mounts and tranny mounts right away, also check to make sure the subframe bolts are tight and all there. You may also be getting some sound from the brake pads shifting around on the shims.

I have 2 1988 verts by the way!

 

Worn tie rod ends.

Bleed clutch. If this does not solve problem, replace cylinders. If that doesn't solve it, may be a throwout bearing problem.

Front diff mount.

How bad of a vibe? More than likely, tranny mounts are bad. Look for "bouncing" of the shifter while driving a bumpy road.

Adjust TPS, check for vacuum leaks, clean BAC valve.

Grinding, bearing noise, leaking fluid, hard shifting. It's pretty obvious when the transmission is dying. Bearing noise is a BIG giveaway.

 

85k on the engine, how many on the car itself?
Car seems to have alot going on under there, perhaps it was in a collision or curbed/run off the road.

 

Thanks for the information, very helpful!

I was thinking the same thing. I'm little worried. It sure does seem to have a lot of problems for a car with 85K miles on it. No "major" problems though and its worth my time and money I'll bring it back.

 

These are all fairly minor issues,unless you have to replace the clutch.
Even then it doesn't sound so bad.
You can fix all these issues for a few hunderd dollars.

 

Its just that I have seen RX-7s with over 150,000 miles on them and not have these problems. Either someone hit something, or someone was under there who didnt know what they were doing, im sure time will tell. Sure the problems arent MAJOR, but it would be nice to get the whole story on the car.

 

You never get the whole story until after you've lived with it for at least 6 months.

 

For a "few hundred" more, you can buy one w/o these issues in the first place.

and

Agreed.
How many 14 year old cars have true mileage on them anyway? I guess it boils down to what you paid for the car (even though we are straying from the original question).

 

I've had ALL these problems on my '88 vert with 97K miles, plus a blown engine just 2 months after I bought it. Many hours and $xxxx later, it's now my daily driver and I love it.

I would tackle the knocking noises first since they are not only annoying but might lead to bigger problems. You can live with a clunky trans. for a while (I suspect most of us have at one time or another). You may have to spring for a rebuild but you at least have time to prepare budget-wise.

As to vibrations, a stock motor doesn't shake all that much at idle, I would do a tps check and wire/plug replacement first. Also check the FSM for other rough idle causes.

 

Thanks for the information guys!

I've made an appointment with CorkSport, within the next couple weeks. I would love to work on everything myself. Time coupled with my job simply will not allow it

I'm hoping for a clean bill of health as far as the engine is concerned, compression checks etc...and everything else should be fixed soon. I hope.

Yeah, took the top down for the first time last week, now I know why I bought the car *smile*

 

One of lifes pleasures...top down in Phoenix this time of year is fantastic.
I replaced my shifter bushings along with the inner and outer boots...tightened the shifter right up....do not forget to add gear oil to shifter housing.
Good luck on the check up and the rest of the items.