new FD, lotsa B.S., please help
 

got a cheap FD, but it needs love. that's okay because I have lots of love for FD's. I need your help tho.

problem one: the rear anti-sway bar is not connected on either side and I cannot see how it is supposed to be connected. maybe I'm missing something? anybody have a pic or 2 of how it is supposed to go? please advise.

problem two: there is a very unsettling noise that happens when I begin braking (sounds like some popping or crunching?) and sometimes when I begin to turn. I can feel it a bit through the brake pedal too. I cannot figure out what this is. I have checked all the suspension bolts and the brake caliper bolts and they are all good. any ideas? this freaks me out the most.

problem three: insane oil drippage. are there any major oil leakage points that FD's are known for? can you pull the oil pan off from the bottom? (thinking that engine "carriage" or whatever might block it) I might want to try a new gasket. I find the stock oil dipstick really hard to read accurately. it seems to pick up alot of extra oil when traveling up the tube it goes in and I can't get steady readings out of it.

well fellas, I am really excited to own an FD, but this needs alot of work before I can even begin the building it up part. any help would be very much appreciated.

Problem 1: i dunno. someone else chim in.

Problem 2: what side is the sounds coming from? I had a similar problem and it turns out that i had a bad caliper. I purchased a new OEM caliper from pep boys for 62 bucks + 80 core charge.

Problem 3: More then likely the oil pan is gasket is shot. They are a PAIN in the ass to fix. You really need to jack up the car and get under it to track it down.


May i ask why you got it so cheap.. Beside's the obvious. Was it a wrecked 7?

how much did u pay for the car?

question 1: Gotta drop the ppf (big bar running from rear-end to the tranny) unless you can somehow wedge it in there,and then the two bolts on each side.

problem two, possibly the previous owner took off the brake calipers and when installing them, accidentally swapped the bolts. One bolt is a hair longer and if switched, will protrude out and and actually make contact with the rotor. Check both sides of your rotors for a 3/8" score, that will tell you right away if the bolts were swapped.

yeah, she's been wrecked.

RE: question three: previous owner says the leak is comming from the front oil return line where it mates to the block. he didn't fix it 'cause he says its a real PITA to get to. ever do it?

does anybody make any aftermarket sway bar links or something? I can't find any thing for it.

Problem 1: http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/anti-sway_bars.html

Problem 2: Check out the rotors, pads, calipers, and caliper bolts. Might as well flush the brake fluid and re fill it. Keep in mind that the clutch feeds off of the brake fluid reservoir, so you'll need to bleed it also. Also, I don't think i'd drive the car around until this problem is solved.

Problem 3: http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/oil_pan_removal.html Also http://www.gothamracing.com/catalog/...oducts_id=1076 FD's are notorious for leaking around the oil pan. You'll also wan't to check the turbos since alot of FD's leak oil there also.

I hope your happy with your purchase!! You'll definitely enjoy it once it's back to 100%.

-Alex

I'm assuming you mean 3/8" scar. like a scratch right? can you tell me which one is the longer one? I *think* I looked at the rotor for that kindof thing but I should check again.

oh and thanks to all for posting and if feel free to offer more advice! :bigthumb:

Have you had a professional check it over for frame damage? If you havn't already, it might be a good idea to do so. ;)

http://www.rx7store.net/index.asp?Pa...S&Category=283

http://www.rotaryextreme.com/fdsuspension.html

http://www.pettitracing.com/rx7/suspension.htm

http://www.racingbeat.com/resultset....rtNumber=14107

http://www.racingbeat.com/resultset....rtNumber=14106 (Tubular)

http://www.racingbeat.com/resultset....rtNumber=14120

https://www.rx7club.com/group-buy-center-69/widefoot-billet-cast-swaybar-mount-group-buy-411481/

I'm sure i've missed a few also. :)

-Alex

What in god's name are you talking about?

Don't just post random shit when you don't have a clue.

Get yourself a factory service manual. You can download one for free in PDF format from www.iluvmyrx7.com, but I advise buying a new hard copy manual.

Also, I'm at a loss at how the rear anti-sway bar could be there if it's not connected at EITHER end.....perhaps you should post some pictures of exactly what you are talking about.

It sounds like you're a little over your head in some things, so I would take some time to do more research and really study the factory service manual, before jumping ahead and buying a bunch of parts.

Since you say the car was wrecked, do you even know if the frame is straight? Was the car repaired/repainted properly?

^yes, I deffinitely need a FSM. until then, this is all I got. downloading it aint so easy w/ my 56k either. so thanks for everything guys.