I have the RP adjustable toe links like these pictured:


I've been trying to identify a very loud metallic clunking out of the rear passenger side of my FD. Took the wheel off and pushed the disc around until I determined that if i apply some upward pressure on the link, it makes the metallic clanking that I am hearing. If i grab the link and pull up on it - it makes the sound and has a little bit of play / travel. If I twist it - the metallic bushing clanks.

The sound occurs when I brake. The slightest braking will make that thing pop - which led me to a whole brake job I am now in the middle of. It was necessary anyway - but I was convinced it was the brakes. The pad and rotor back there weren't all that bad as it turns out.

The driver's side is pretty tight and does not make noise unless I twist it. Upward pressure makes no noise and no significant movement.

The nuts and adjustment areas on it are very tight. I had a reputible alingnment shop align the whole car after I installed all of my suspension components about 1000 miles ago. The sound started approximately 300 miles ago.

Has anyone else experienced this loud racket from the RP toe links and their metal bushings?
Should I be going back to the shop?

It's a terrible sound and cannot be ignored - something's wrong.

FYI: new pillowballs, new Koni shocks, new shock mount covers, new Eibach springs, new RP trailing arms and new RP toe links all done 1000 miles ago.

Help is really appreciated.

Dave

 

If the bushings on the toe links don't have dust covers, it's likely it could be making noise, but I doubt the bushing would have eroded that quickly. If you still have your stock toe links, swap them in and see if the noise goes away.

Dale

 

Thanks Dale. The links are brand new and nothing has eroded - the car never sees rain and has barely been driven.
I guess I could swap out the old toe link again.

Nobody else has had this problem?

 

Have you asked RP what could be causing the noise?

 

Have you checked the adjusters are tight?

FWIW, this is pretty much why I'm going to poly bushed OEM links - Too much maintenance overhead with rose joints imho.

 

bump - any resolution?

Did you just purchase these? I ask because I have been inquiring about them at RP. I was told they were out of stock and RP was having issues with a new supplier, none would be available until the 'issues' were resolved. I'm wondering now what that 'issue' was...

 

ttt

 

I got a bunch of those heim joints for my toe links/trailing arms that were bad when brand new. I sent them back for replacement and the new ones fixed the problem. If you can feel ANY amount of play in the joint when grabbing and pulling by hand, they're going to clunk when driven on.

 

Checking back in by request...

I guess I might have to talk with Jason at www.rx7store.net as thats where I bought these.

Now I am interested in what Armitage wrote here. I haven't put the car down off the jacks yet because I am trying to finish the brakes (if anyone has a good brake job write up - please PM me).

I can say without a doubt that when I grab this link and yank on it - there is some slight up and down play and a metallic 'click'. It translates to a horrible clunk when I decelerate. Maybe I will take the suggestion and put my old link back on for the time being.

This is annoying...

 

its funny my car does the same sound youre talking about when i brake and i figured it would be the bushing on my stock toe link... it looks pretty worn out but i havent changed it yet. Now im wondering if it could be something else instead ..

and i know how annoying it is .. trust me

 

1. jack up car and secure on stands with wheel blocks on the front

2. get a helper

3. have helper grip wheel at 3 and 9 o'clock positions and wiggle (alternating pushing and pulling with both hands)firmly

4. put your hands on all suspension piviot points and feel for any deflection.

5. repeat with hands at 12 and 6 o'clock

*if you feel any play in the wheel itself, especially at the 12 and 6 locations, the wheel bearing is suspect.

this works for the front or rear. keeping the wheel on will apply more leverage and secure the brake disc.

 

Do you have coilovers? Check for play in your coilovers, that is what was causing mine to exhibit the symptoms you described.

 

Did you buy Rotary Performance links through rx7store.net? or was the pic just an example?

I'm on the fence about buying these links directly from RP, I'll hold off on buying them until I hear what the resolution is on yours.

PS - you might want to cross post this over in the suspension sub-forum...

 

Thanks for those suggestions Mad 7tst. I'll go there next if I find it is NOT the toe link.

Habu -I ended up buying from www.rx7store.net because they were cheaper. The links I received are IDENTICAL to RP - so I believe they use the same supplier. Just a hunch. I received exactly what that picture shows (down to the zip ties holding the bushing together).

Spoolage - I do not have coliovers

Here's an update - I looked at the whole setup again. Upon closer examination I saw that the bolt that goes through the lower control arm (through the pillow ball bushing) and into the trailing arm was not completely tight...

I tightened it down and the clanking from the toe link when pulling on it like 12 and 6 o'clock (up and down) was almost completely eliminated. I have the RP trailing arm as well but this same thing could have occured with the stock trailing arm. If that bolt is not tight - the toe link is allowed to travel slightly in a way it shouldn't. If that bolt is loose on a stock setup - the toe link wouldn't make racket because the bushings are rubber.

The toe link still clanks when I twist it left and right - but I don't think that is a normal movement when the car is moving.

I'll have the brakes on soon and I'll test drive the car again. If this thread helps somebody - it was worth it.

Thanks guys.

Dave

 

Cool - thanks for the update.