FDjunkie, was the problem related to how wide the part that the bolt goes through is, or was it some kind of clearance issue with the seal rubber? I think there is a sleeve you can move a bit to widen the area you bolt through. You can see this gold colored sleeve under the nut in the "Location of outer bearing" picture on the MazdaTrix page: http://www.mazdatrix.com/h93-95c.htm

Has anyone tried the rubber seals that go over the whole rod end, listed at the bottom of the page DamonB posted? I've seen these at Baker when I was in there once, but I wasn't sure if they'd fit or what size to get when I saw them.
http://www.bakerprecision.com/rodacc.htm

Also, I want to give DamonB, "props" for posting this info. It took me a while to get in a figure out the dimensions to replace mine, and it is great to see some info about how to protect them from wearing, too. The discussion has been interesting as well. For instance, I was never really sure what load rating the rod ends needed to be, and I am quite confident that mine are at least as strong as the ones I replaced now. I figure a lot of people have these links and can benefit this thread. Thanks, Damon!

-Max

 

ditto, very informative thread

it happens once in a blue moon on this forum

kidding!

 

Sorry for taking so long, but I've been out of town.

The seals that I got from Baker come molded on to a flat washer that goes on the spacer before it gets inserted into the rod-end. The result is that the overall length (through the spacer, rod-end, and 2nd spacer) is now too wide to fit between the upright's mounting ears, even after the insert is pushed out. I took some pictures but guess which forum still won't allow them to be posted...if your interested send me an e-mail and I'll forward.

To make these seals work on the outboard ends of the Pettit toe-links will require some light machine work to at least one spacer on each rear wheel. I needed a total of about 0.050 to 0.060 inch more clearance, so this is the total amount that I would need removed from the spacer(s).

 

Perhaps you could shave a little off one of the inserts with a file or something to make room.

-Max

 

Has anyone tried the rod-end protective covers? I'm tempted to buy one just to see if it fits. I'm assuming the "medium" (1/2"-5/8") is the right size?

 

I just installed some of these protective "covers"
last week. I have the M2 Toe links and trailing arms. Located the covers between spacer and ball. As FDjunkie noted I had to shave the spacers down just a hair for the outborad end of the toe link and the thickness of the washers (in the covers) on the chassis ends (there is no sleeve) for the inboard ends of the trailing arm and toe link. No biggie. All fit fine. It will be interesting to see how well they work. Oh and as for "fit" they fit perfectly. 5/8" size for the sleeves used on the M2 parts.
Regards,
Crispy
PS I can take pics if needed.

 

Crispy, could you add pics to this thread? I have no digicam and a pic is worth a thousand words as they say... Once everyone sees it they will understand.

Max, I have no idea what those covers look like and am interested in finding out as well. The fact that they call them a "boot" makes them sound bulky, but I dunno.

 

Yeah sure thing. I will take pics this evening and post some tomorrow. I should note that I installed the dust covers (little rubber cups with a washer molded into the cup) and NOT the "boot" that covers then entire end link.
Regards,
Crispy

 

Ok here ya go ...PICS
Two from the outboard toe link - note the spacer sleeve position. And one of the inboard end. Please excuse the messy white grease.
And one of just the seal - dust cover thingie.
Regards,
Crispy

 

I have seen them at Baker, but they don't seem to have a pic on the web site. They are a formed rubber boot that you stretch over the rod end. They cover the whole rod end. I am not sure if there would be enough clearance or not, but I don't think they are too bulky -- just some rubber stretched over the rod end.

-Max

 

OK, well I'll buy a few and we'll see what they look like.

 

Great thread!
This will be a keeper for sure.
Here’s my 2 cents.

Anyone have any thoughts on using a quality liquid rubber dip to form a dust jacket?

I was thinking of the stuff you can buy for tool handles. You could pre-grease the unit before dipping it (spacers and all) up to the threads.

Undoubtedly the movement would cause there to be some lifting around the spacers, but you could probably counteract it with some zip-ties around the spacers after the rubber has cured.

I thought it would be at least a little prettier than foil.

 

More pics

 

The inboard end of the toe link

 

That's why we love you Jim

 

OK, I ordered 12 (4 for each tie-rod link, 2 for each trailing arm) SE-010 (?) 5/8" dust seals, and one "medium" (1/2-5/8") rod-end boot. I figured it wouldn't be a problem to offload the dust seals to someone else if the boots turn out to be the "trick item", and if they don't, then I only wasted $12.

 

So jimlab how does the protective boot works?
did you manage to install that?

Also, a question for your trailing arm, isnt the trailing arm less than 3/8" of size? Do you have the pettit racing trailing arm or M2?

 

The boot looks retarded.

I haven't taken a picture of it, but it's about 1/2" too big all the way around compared to one of the rod ends. The openings are about the right size, but the size of the boot took me by surprise. I'll be making the dust seals work like everyone else, it looks like.

 

https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...5&pagenumber=2

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