3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002) 1993-2002 Discussion including performance modifications and Technical Support Sections.
Sponsored by:

Am I missing a piece from my front sway bar? [Pictures Inside]

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 14, 2014 | 07:58 PM
  #1  
ahmadhasib's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
 
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Texas
Am I missing a piece from my front sway bar? [Pictures Inside]

It looked a little strange after I put the car on the lift. Seems like there should be another piece connected to the ends of the front sway Bar. Am I missing anything?

Am I missing a piece from my front sway bar? [Pictures Inside]-qufxufc.jpg
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2014 | 08:09 PM
  #2  
Rotors R Cool's Avatar
BRAP BRAP BRAP...
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
From: Plano, Texas
Yes. Everything about that is wrong. The second bolt on the lower control arm next to the bolt attaching the damper is where the end link should attach. You effectively have no roll bar.
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2014 | 09:20 PM
  #3  
Coverhag's Avatar
FD Addict
Tenured Member 05 Years
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 156
Likes: 4
From: Alberta, Canada
Sad to say that you are missing the arm and connecting link. To me, the stock mounts look bent, have to think the assembly took an impact.
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2014 | 09:35 PM
  #4  
oyvindjs's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member: 10 Years
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 439
Likes: 0
From: Bergen, Norway
And that line/mark in your plastic cover leading to the area where parts are missing, looks kind of suspicious? What did you hit?
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2014 | 04:12 AM
  #5  
ahmadhasib's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
 
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Texas
Originally Posted by Rotors R Cool
Yes. Everything about that is wrong. The second bolt on the lower control arm next to the bolt attaching the damper is where the end link should attach. You effectively have no roll bar.
Would that explain the sloppy feeling on the highway? I feel like there's a little too much play in the wheel during the first bits of turning. Car tends to slightly waddle also at highway speeds.


Originally Posted by oyvindjs
And that line/mark in your plastic cover leading to the area where parts are missing, looks kind of suspicious? What did you hit?
The previous owner had some very low springs along with some blown shocks. I'm assuming this damage is from the previous owner. I'm to get to fixing!

Thanks for everyone's help!!
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2014 | 07:54 AM
  #6  
Rotors R Cool's Avatar
BRAP BRAP BRAP...
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
From: Plano, Texas
I have never paid attention to the angles while the car is on its wheels but the car looks really low to me based solely on the angle of the lower control arm and the tie rods. But I may easily be wrong.

Your car has more roll on the front end than most other cars, I bet. I'd even bet it oversteers like a Formula D car. Everything I see in that pic is fractal incorrectness.

Basically, I guaranty that your car drives like crap. It is in your cars best interest to trickle some, if not just dump, money into everything that keeps the wheels from kicking the bodywork off. The fact that an RX-7, let alone any sports car, has been driving around with a roll bar in that condition serves as a giant red flag as to the attitude of the previous owner. Dismissing this advise would be a red flag in regards to your attitude concerning that car.

Also, tackle that rust before it becomes a real problem.
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2014 | 08:57 AM
  #7  
K-Tune's Avatar
FD Daily
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (27)
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,308
Likes: 14
From: Gulf Breeze, FL
Is the end of the sway bar that's sticking out from the bushing splined?

You are missing the blue part in this pic...
http://www.fd3s.net/anti-sway_bar_mounts_FTL2.jpg

Can you take a picture of the other side or does it look the same?

I also spot a racing beat sway bar reinforcement bar in there..
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2014 | 09:33 AM
  #8  
Andre The Giant's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
iTrader: (21)
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 532
Likes: 10
From: Dallas, Tx
Am I missing a piece from my front sway bar? [Pictures Inside]-image-4029836775.jpg

Another pic to help.
You have what's left of a very old Racing Beat multi piece swaybar. They became well known for breaking the splined part of the "arm". Could be why yours is missing
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2014 | 05:44 PM
  #9  
ahmadhasib's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
 
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Texas
Originally Posted by Rotors R Cool
Yes. Everything about that is wrong. The second bolt on the lower control arm next to the bolt attaching the damper is where the end link should attach. You effectively have no roll bar.
This makes sense now. The previous owner had after market shocks that was held in place by 1 bolt. I assumed the factory shock was held in place by 2 bolts.

What is the name of the part that screws to the 2nd bolt of the control arm? I'm assuming that is that part that connects to the sway bar (if the sway bar was one piece).
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2014 | 07:17 PM
  #10  
K-Tune's Avatar
FD Daily
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (27)
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,308
Likes: 14
From: Gulf Breeze, FL
Originally Posted by ahmadhasib
This makes sense now. The previous owner had after market shocks that was held in place by 1 bolt. I assumed the factory shock was held in place by 2 bolts.

What is the name of the part that screws to the 2nd bolt of the control arm? I'm assuming that is that part that connects to the sway bar (if the sway bar was one piece).
The sway bar end link attaches to the inboard control arm bolt.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2014 | 09:16 AM
  #11  
bajaman's Avatar
Constant threat
Tenured Member 20 Years
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 39
From: near Wichita, Kansas
Lord of Mercy but that is one hosed up front suspension!

One has to wonder what went thru the previous owner's mind? Was it apathy, ignorance...what?
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2014 | 10:40 AM
  #12  
Sgtblue's Avatar
Urban Combat Vet
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 12,160
Likes: 983
From: Mid-west
FWIW, looks like you also have a RB sway-bar mount brace. At one time someone put some care into the front end.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2014 | 12:59 PM
  #13  
Mahjik's Avatar
Mr. Links
Tenured Member 20 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 27,595
Likes: 43
From: Kansas City, MO
I would recommend breaking out the FSM, and going over all suspension points (front & rear) of this car.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2014 | 04:05 AM
  #14  
Ceylon's Avatar
Non Runner
Tenured Member: 15 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,211
Likes: 282
From: Somerset, England
Is the bit of wood something your jacking on, or do you actually have a piece of wood for a sway bar?

Pic of mine when I fitted new bars, may help you see what its supposed to look like:

Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
matty
Suspension/Wheels/Tires/Brakes
12
Jan 18, 2020 10:39 AM
BNR34RB26DETT
Build Threads
42
Feb 28, 2018 11:27 AM
need RX7
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
11
Aug 19, 2015 08:27 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:07 PM.