93 RX-7

Hey guys,

I did a search on the 3rd Gen Current and Archive boards and couldn't find what I'm looking for. I'm probably not searching on quite the right thing.

I've got a knock that comes from the rear passenger side, very near the wheel. When I'm rolling very slowly up to a light and tap the brake, I hear this knock. If I'm on an incline and can keep rolling, I'll hear it every time I tap the brake. The knock is just a little bit hollow. Seems like maybe I'm hearing it transmit up through the body a bit.

Any ideas? I'm guessing bushings of some sort, but I really don't know my way around down there. I'll probably pass your advice to my local mechanic. I need your help in being able to speak the righ language. If it turns out to be bushings, any recommendations on what to install while I'm down there? Its my daily driver, just looking for good quality to keep here running smooth.

Thanks,

Red95T-Rex

It is your rear bushings... probably on your control arms, and maybe other places. the passenger-side rear bushings usually go out first on FD's, so your case is not something unheard of. I believe mazda only sells the bushings already installed in the coltrol arm because they are sealed bushings. Rotary performance can swap out bushing without making you buy new controll arms/ tie rods/ etc. I am sure some of your local suspension shops or RX-7 shops know how to do this also. I think it is costing me somewhere around $630 for them to fix mine. Are ou getting wheel hop and decreased handling when you launch and take turns sharp since this noise has started occurring???
Just my Diagnosis, Kevin (KEMRX7@aol.com / AIM--->KEMRX7)

GsrSol

I think everyone has had this problem, but I've yet to fix mine. M2, Pettit, and rx7.com i think all have replacements for the toe links and trailing arms.

93 RX-7

Yes, I've always had some wheel hop. But I've noticed lately an increase in the rear end breaking lose and sliding to the right rear on launch.

rotary-tt

I am having the same problem. Not sure what it is, but when I replaced the struts I noticed that the passenger side toe link had some play.

paw140

Make sure its not your jack. Mine was loose when I bought the car, and made the same type of noise.

Paul

93 RX-7

Checked that first. I've removed it completely to eliminate the possibility, but thanks.

rotary-tt

Not the jack. I don't have it in the car. You can hear it every time you just touch the brakes (not hard enough to jostle anything around in the car).

93 RX-7

Exactly! A very light tap at very low speed makes a pretty good Klunk!

prew

iTrader: (9)

i noticed it for the first time the other day, is it bad not to fix it, cause i dont have any bills.

93 RX-7

I've got a new clue. What's the chance that the sound I'm hearing is actually coming up from the U-joint or the diff? Just today, I'm hearing a substanial knocking or pounding that is rythmic and increases and decreases in direct proportion to speed.

What do you look for on a bad U-Join? And on the diff, how much play should I have in the trans-axle. I had the wheels off last night and it seemed like the lug bolts were rotating about 1/2 inch or more before I could here the stop inside the diff.

Thanks,

RedFD

Yep i have that too.... also when I press the brake I get this weird "tink" kinda sound from teh engine bay(sounds like thats where its coming from). Anyone know what that might be?

Tim McCreary

I have a bad front CV Joint on my Acura Legend (1988). When I turn the wheel, I hear clicking (very obvious). When I am driving straight, not a bit of noise. When I slow down and step on the brakes, you can hear the clicking (faint, but noticeable). Sounds like your noises are the same as mine. I know for a fact that my CV's are bad since turning the front wheel turns the CV joint. With the RX7, the wheel does not turn in the rear, so you would not notice the obvious quickly.

Tim

GsrSol

The diff mount does go bad also but you can tell the difference between it and the toelinks when you put and take away stress from the diff.

FD Seeker

I have a minor clunking sound coming from the back of my car too. I was told conclusively by my shop that it is a rear bushing that needs replacement.

Alpine

i upgraded to jimlab's bushings, the clunk was reduced. getting toe link and trailing arm will probably help also.

get the nylon bushing set !!!

93 RX-7

Where do you get jimlab bushings?

turborotarypower

i have the exact noise you described. when i worked at the dealership i put my car on the alignment rack and tried to simulate the noise. i could replicate the noise by pulling up and down on the front sway bar which caused the car to rock. with someone at the back of the car the noise was pin pointed to the passenger trailing link where it connects to the wheel assembly. the bushing looked good,but you could feel the knock at that point. so i'm going to get the m2 links and see what happens from there!

rx7eaven

I got the same problem too. I already ordered my m2 trailing arms and toe links so I will let everyone know if that helps once I get tehm in.

FD Seeker

So, how much is that going to run us?

rotary-tt

Seems like it is the passenger toe link then. I was all over the suspension when I changed the struts and the toe link was the only thing I found which moved. Perhaps under load some of the other stuff is also worn, but the link was obvious.

I think the toe links are cheaper from Pettit at $200 a pair. I think this is the way I am going.

Street King

My car has the same problem and I'am thinking about getting the toe links. How much are they from M2 and can this type of work be done with jack stands with hand tools(no air powered tools)?

Alpine

ntech is making them I heard, there should be a group buy soon.

RavenRx7

on back rear passenger side, I believe it's the shocks---there prettty oold

namasan

I'm having a very similar problem as the original post, but I only get the clicking noise the 1st time I tap the brakes. After completely stopping and rolling again, it will click the first time I tap the brakes, but not after that until I stop. I can't tell where it's coming from. Is it my bushings???

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Hey guys,

I did a search on the 3rd Gen Current and Archive boards and couldn't find what I'm looking for. I'm probably not searching on quite the right thing.

I've got a knock that comes from the rear passenger side, very near the wheel. When I'm rolling very slowly up to a light and tap the brake, I hear this knock. If I'm on an incline and can keep rolling, I'll hear it every time I tap the brake. The knock is just a little bit hollow. Seems like maybe I'm hearing it transmit up through the body a bit.

Any ideas? I'm guessing bushings of some sort, but I really don't know my way around down there. I'll probably pass your advice to my local mechanic. I need your help in being able to speak the righ language. If it turns out to be bushings, any recommendations on what to install while I'm down there? Its my daily driver, just looking for good quality to keep here running smooth.