RegMak

I want to convert my S4 with a 4 lug wheel pattern to a 5 lug pattern so I can easily put deep dish rims on. What all do I have to change and what do I do. Pics or walk through anybody? Your help is much Appreciated.

blmcquig

iTrader: (15)

well, the S4 to S5 conversion means 1 of 2 things, and the 4 to 5 lug swap is neither of those.
so, you need to get the "5lug swap package" that you can ususally find for sale used here on the forums, once you get that, get back to us.

RegMak

Thanx man. I'll check that out.

RE TurboII

iTrader: (2)

two words

"Search Button"

done

blmcquig

iTrader: (15)

okay, first off, search. this HAS been covered MANY times.
secondly, go to the FAQ, get the FSM and then download it. now save it to your computer. now read it.
okay? now, read it again.
youll find your section, get familiar with the suspension/steering section.
once you have the parts you need, just follow along with the FSM, or, take it to a qualified technician.

Icemark

watch it... flaming is not tolerated here.

And the thread has been pruned

RegMak

I Thought the point in this forum was to meet other rx owners and learn fom them and make friends. To bad so many people on here have so much hatred and disrespect for others. I have met VERY FEW who are decent enough to talk to and when I've needed help have POLITELY pointed me in the right direction. To those of u who have, i thank u. It's too bad so many have to ruin it for the few.

misterstyx69

iTrader: (142)

Pm me..I'd be glad to tell you what is involved..I have done it Three times.I'm getting Good at it..STYX.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard

When I used to sell said conversions, I would pull the spindle/hub/rotors/calipers/lines as a whole and sell all 4 corners. This way the buyer can simply unbolt the whole chunk from their car and do the same.

Some people actually just swap the hubs/rotors/etc. without changing the actual spindles/housings, which are the same.

Now, this is not the sort of work that is easy, since old suspension stuff is usually very tight and very rusty. IT's not uncommon to round off a bolt head or 2, or jack up some bushings in the rear. Air tools are all but a must unless you have some really solid jackstands and some really long breaker bars.

Up front, you have to seperate the steering tierod from the spindle, either with a hammer or a pickle fork. Pickle forks tend to screw up the boots on the tierod ends. With the tierod end bolt loose, I like to hit the SPINDLE on the side right where the end goes through, if you whack it good a few times the shock will release the tapered tierod end and then you can remove it. Assuming you've removed the brake caliper and line, you can then remove the strut bolts from the spindle, and then the lower balljoint is the only thing left holding it on. This one bolt likes to strip and round so be careful. Take it all the way out, and try to wiggle the spindle off the joint. IF it wont move, take a beefy flat screwdriver or a prybar and drive it between the spindle where the bolt was to wedge it open and then it will come off.

IF you cant seperate the lower balljoint and spindle, you can swap th entire lower control arm and spindle together, provided they are from the same series.

The rears are even harder. You have to remove the brake caliper and line. Then the ebrake cable. Then the axle nut, and hope that the axle splines are not rusted in place inside the hub. Leave the nut on the end of the shaft several threads deep, and hit it with a big sledge. If it moves you are good, if not then you are in for hell. I have had to use extreme heat and extreme force (18" gear pullers) and actuall broken brake rotors and hubs in half trying to drive axles out of hubs on partscars. A few times I had to abandon axles/hubs in partscars that I could not get off.

Anyway, once you see that the axle will slide a little bit, leave it alone...it wont come out yet. There are 3 mounting points for the rear spindle/housing, 2 are easy, one is a BITCH, using a really large bolt that is facing downward. This bolt goes through a metal sleeve, around which a rubber bushing is molded. Half the time the sleeve and bolt rust together, and when you do break that bolt loose with about 1000ftlb of torque, the sleeve turns with it, tearing/shredding the bushing. It also means the bolt won't come out of the hole, because it's stuck in the sleeve. A lot of lubricant and turning and hitting sometimes remedies this. A few times I had to abandon the spindle/hub on a car because I couldnt get this bolt off.

After all the bolts are out, pry each of the 3 mounting points off the rear arm. You'll notice they dont want to come off, and some prying is often necessary here. The axle should stay in the car and slide out as the hub assembly is removed.

SO you say, changing the spindles sounds like a bitch, why not just change hubs? Well, the fronts are easy, because they are a traditional front wheelbearing that comes off with simple hand tools. The rears are not so easy, since the IRS setup uses a FWD type cv axle and wheel bearing that is pressed in. So either way, the rears have to come off. Either you swap the whole assembly as a unit, or you press out the hub that you are after...but it can only be done after the spindle/housing is off the car.

Have fun!

RegMak

Thanks for tha advice!

aznpoopy

forums are not like that at all... i can only imagine how sickeningly friendly the internet would be if people were really like that. XD

anyway besides the help already provided, you're getting the terminology confused.

s4/s5. what you asked, but not what you wanted to ask
s4 = series 4 1986-1988 rx-7
s5 = series 5 1989 - 1991 rx-7

s4/s5 conversion means changing the appearance of a s4 to look like a s5. (bumpers, sideskirts, tailights, etc)

4lug/5lug. what you didn't ask, but meant to ask
4 lug = 4 bolt pattern; 4x114.3 on rx-7's
5 lug = 5 bolt pattern; 5x114.3 on rx-7's

RegMak

Well , Maybe u r right. Whatever. But thanks for informing me of the propper terminology reference for my question. I am fairly new to working on my own rx.

eriksseven

iTrader: (6)

"Maybe" he is right? He is is right... You're the one asking n00b questions. And yes, we were all n00bs, but you've got to understand that questions like this are answered on a daily-basis. There is virtually no question that has not been asked--or no topic that has gone undiscussed. You must also realize that by using these boards, you are immersing yourself in a 24/7 RX-7 universe where every little detail has been dissected... A perfect place to learn, but just like any other long-standing 'school'--it's best to listen and research before asking questions--especially if you don't even know what you're saying.

dregg100

iTrader: (34)

i have a 5-lug swap for sale if you want it! pm me. complete bolt in package.