Rear Tire Alignment
03-16-18, 07:45 PM
#1
Rear Tire Alignment
I noticed today that the driver's side tire on my RX7 seems to sit an inch higher than the passenger side tire, but I am at a loss as to what would cause that.
At first I figured maybe it was a shot strut/spring, but I jacked the rear up, and measured from the bottom of the tire to the ground, and the difference appeared to remain.
I looked under the car, and didn't notice anything that looked obviously out of sorts enough to cause that much of a difference. The control arm mounts on the subframe that the exhaust runs between seem to be flush. Using a straight edge I was not able to locate any control arms that looked bent or anything.
The tires are the same type/size on both sides, so it isn't caused by that either.
Any thoughts? The suspension was under load (car on ramps) when I was under it. My only thought is that that maybe there is a shot spring that caused it to ride lower when under load, and another problem I won't see until I put the car on jack stands that causes it to be off while lifted and not under load. That seems like it would be an odd coincidence though.
I was just curious if anyone had had a similar problem before, or had any ideas on things I could check/rule out. I recently bought the car and the history isn't well known, I'd just like to rule out anything potentially serious that may have been missed when we did the prepurchase inspections.
Normally I'd just run it to a body shop and have it checked out, but I have the interior pretty much totally stripped for new carpet/seats and to resolve a few electrical issues, so the car isn't moving any time soon.
I can take pictures if it helps. I wasn't sure what pictures would be helpful off the top of my head.
At first I figured maybe it was a shot strut/spring, but I jacked the rear up, and measured from the bottom of the tire to the ground, and the difference appeared to remain.
I looked under the car, and didn't notice anything that looked obviously out of sorts enough to cause that much of a difference. The control arm mounts on the subframe that the exhaust runs between seem to be flush. Using a straight edge I was not able to locate any control arms that looked bent or anything.
The tires are the same type/size on both sides, so it isn't caused by that either.
Any thoughts? The suspension was under load (car on ramps) when I was under it. My only thought is that that maybe there is a shot spring that caused it to ride lower when under load, and another problem I won't see until I put the car on jack stands that causes it to be off while lifted and not under load. That seems like it would be an odd coincidence though.
I was just curious if anyone had had a similar problem before, or had any ideas on things I could check/rule out. I recently bought the car and the history isn't well known, I'd just like to rule out anything potentially serious that may have been missed when we did the prepurchase inspections.
Normally I'd just run it to a body shop and have it checked out, but I have the interior pretty much totally stripped for new carpet/seats and to resolve a few electrical issues, so the car isn't moving any time soon.
I can take pictures if it helps. I wasn't sure what pictures would be helpful off the top of my head.
03-16-18, 07:59 PM
#2
Constant threat
If the tires and wheels are the same size and the car is sitting with all tires on the ground, it is impossible for there to be a difference in the height. What you are seeing is a mirage...an illusion...not there.
On the other hand, if you mean to say the CAR seems to sit higher or lower on one side or another, with a bigger or smaller gap in the wheelwell to the top of the tire, then yeah...you could have a spring or other suspension issue. But no way is the tire's overall height "an inch different" if both tires and both wheels are identical size.
On the other hand, if you mean to say the CAR seems to sit higher or lower on one side or another, with a bigger or smaller gap in the wheelwell to the top of the tire, then yeah...you could have a spring or other suspension issue. But no way is the tire's overall height "an inch different" if both tires and both wheels are identical size.
03-16-18, 08:05 PM
#3
If the tires and wheels are the same size and the car is sitting with all tires on the ground, it is impossible for there to be a difference in the height. What you are seeing is a mirage...an illusion...not there.
On the other hand, if you mean to say the CAR seems to sit higher or lower on one side or another, with a bigger or smaller gap in the wheelwell to the top of the tire, then yeah...you could have a spring or other suspension issue. But no way is the tire's overall height "an inch different" if both tires and both wheels are identical size.
On the other hand, if you mean to say the CAR seems to sit higher or lower on one side or another, with a bigger or smaller gap in the wheelwell to the top of the tire, then yeah...you could have a spring or other suspension issue. But no way is the tire's overall height "an inch different" if both tires and both wheels are identical size.
When the car is under load, the top of the driver's rear tire measures 1 inch closer to the top of the fender well than the passenger's side.
When the car is not under load, the bottom of the driver's rear tire measures 1 inch closer to the ground (flat surface) than the passenger's.
These were measured, so I don't think it's in my head. I'm sorry if my first post didn't make sense. I wasn't trying to say that the tires themselves measures different sizes, just that they appear to be offset from each other by 1 inch both when the suspension is loaded, and when it is not.
03-17-18, 07:58 AM
#4
RX-7 Bad Ass
iTrader: (55)
First off, I'd get the car up in the air and get the wheels off. Compare both sides and measure the suspension components on both sides.
I know the upper wishbone can be installed upside-down, had that happen on accident on my car once and it did a similar thing. The wishbone has "MAZDA" on it, if you can't read it, it's upside-down.
Failing that, I would look at the shocks and springs. You didn't say if you have stock or aftermarket parts. The stock rubber mounts at the top can sag over time and if the shock is blown it can cause the car to sag as well.
Dale
I know the upper wishbone can be installed upside-down, had that happen on accident on my car once and it did a similar thing. The wishbone has "MAZDA" on it, if you can't read it, it's upside-down.
Failing that, I would look at the shocks and springs. You didn't say if you have stock or aftermarket parts. The stock rubber mounts at the top can sag over time and if the shock is blown it can cause the car to sag as well.
Dale
03-18-18, 06:50 PM
#5
First off, I'd get the car up in the air and get the wheels off. Compare both sides and measure the suspension components on both sides.
I know the upper wishbone can be installed upside-down, had that happen on accident on my car once and it did a similar thing. The wishbone has "MAZDA" on it, if you can't read it, it's upside-down.
Failing that, I would look at the shocks and springs. You didn't say if you have stock or aftermarket parts. The stock rubber mounts at the top can sag over time and if the shock is blown it can cause the car to sag as well.
Dale
I know the upper wishbone can be installed upside-down, had that happen on accident on my car once and it did a similar thing. The wishbone has "MAZDA" on it, if you can't read it, it's upside-down.
Failing that, I would look at the shocks and springs. You didn't say if you have stock or aftermarket parts. The stock rubber mounts at the top can sag over time and if the shock is blown it can cause the car to sag as well.
Dale
On the shocks/springs, they look like they could be stock, but this is my first rx7 so I don’t have a good point of reference.
Not sure if any of these show anything super helpful.
03-18-18, 07:14 PM
#6
RX-7 Bad Ass
iTrader: (55)
First off, it looks like you have Koni shocks - yellow is Koni's color.
It looks like the upper wishbones are on right side up. But it looks like the sway bar end link on one side is broken. It may be the picture, but it does look broken. Those should be pretty cheap and easy to get used and I think they are side-specific - if your driver side is broken, for example, make sure to get a driver's side end link.
If that is broken, that would definitely cause problems.
Dale
It looks like the upper wishbones are on right side up. But it looks like the sway bar end link on one side is broken. It may be the picture, but it does look broken. Those should be pretty cheap and easy to get used and I think they are side-specific - if your driver side is broken, for example, make sure to get a driver's side end link.
If that is broken, that would definitely cause problems.
Dale
03-20-18, 02:45 PM
#7
Not related to the initial thread, but throwing up pictures of the rest of the car's underside.
Looks like oodles of stuff is MIA. This is the list so far, but if anyone spots something else I'd be grateful. It's hard for me to gauge when things are just flat out missing.
Engine undertray is missing, I have ordered a replacement.
Looks like some of the transmission heat shields and potentially a brace is missing.
Looks like an unknown aftermarket cat was installed, and the air-pump/emissions lines were cut/blocked off. I have a RP high flow cat with the air pump lines to install, so I'm not super worried about this.
There is a loose exhaust flange/hanger. Potentially from an aftermarket down-pipe install. I have a wrapped/coated downpipe I am planning to install, so I'll see more about what's going on there when I get around to that.
Sounds like there is an aluminum pan that should be under the transmission that's MIA.
The front suspension and sway mounts in general just look to need to be replaced.
The rear muffler has a leak, I have a racing beats dual tip I am planning to replace it with.
If anyone has pictures or information on the missing parts that would be helpful, but I will be trying to identify them in the parts fiche, and on any pictures I can dig up in random threads.
Looks like oodles of stuff is MIA. This is the list so far, but if anyone spots something else I'd be grateful. It's hard for me to gauge when things are just flat out missing.
Engine undertray is missing, I have ordered a replacement.
Looks like some of the transmission heat shields and potentially a brace is missing.
Looks like an unknown aftermarket cat was installed, and the air-pump/emissions lines were cut/blocked off. I have a RP high flow cat with the air pump lines to install, so I'm not super worried about this.
There is a loose exhaust flange/hanger. Potentially from an aftermarket down-pipe install. I have a wrapped/coated downpipe I am planning to install, so I'll see more about what's going on there when I get around to that.
Sounds like there is an aluminum pan that should be under the transmission that's MIA.
The front suspension and sway mounts in general just look to need to be replaced.
The rear muffler has a leak, I have a racing beats dual tip I am planning to replace it with.
If anyone has pictures or information on the missing parts that would be helpful, but I will be trying to identify them in the parts fiche, and on any pictures I can dig up in random threads.
Trending Topics
03-21-18, 06:38 AM
#8
*Agree, something doesn’t look right on the right rear sway bar endlink.
*Looks like a thin film of oil on the right half of the rear crossmember. The stock differential bushings are oil-filled and leak when they’re blown but not sure if they’d sag enough to cause the height issues you described.
FWIW some old random pictures of my car if it’ll help. You do have Konis , but yellow is Bilstein colors too...
*Looks like a thin film of oil on the right half of the rear crossmember. The stock differential bushings are oil-filled and leak when they’re blown but not sure if they’d sag enough to cause the height issues you described.
FWIW some old random pictures of my car if it’ll help. You do have Konis , but yellow is Bilstein colors too...
03-24-18, 06:00 PM
#9
Took another look at the sway bar links. I'm not noticing anything that looks totally broken. Am I overlooking it?
Edit: Forgot to say thanks, sgtblue. Those pictures were actually pretty helpful. The dustboots on the axles both have tears, so I have always assumed thats where some of the grease came from. I think most of the stuff in the rear needs a refresh, but obviously if something it totally broke I'll triage that first.
Edit: Forgot to say thanks, sgtblue. Those pictures were actually pretty helpful. The dustboots on the axles both have tears, so I have always assumed thats where some of the grease came from. I think most of the stuff in the rear needs a refresh, but obviously if something it totally broke I'll triage that first.
Last edited by SpinningDorito; 03-24-18 at 11:37 PM.
03-25-18, 08:07 AM
#10
RX-7 Bad Ass
iTrader: (55)
Duh - one thing I just remembered is the Koni shocks have a spring perch that has different heigh adjustments. The lower spring perch is held in place with a snap ring and has different levels it can be at.
Quite possible one side is lower than the other, that's an easy thing to check.
Dale
Quite possible one side is lower than the other, that's an easy thing to check.
Dale
03-25-18, 12:51 PM
#11
Duh - one thing I just remembered is the Koni shocks have a spring perch that has different heigh adjustments. The lower spring perch is held in place with a snap ring and has different levels it can be at.
Quite possible one side is lower than the other, that's an easy thing to check.
Dale
Quite possible one side is lower than the other, that's an easy thing to check.
Dale
Looks like they are both set to the 3rd perch position from the bottom, so unfortunately whatever it is, isn't that easy. Was hoping for that to be it though.
Best guesses right now is that the spring on that side is worn more than the other, or the fender is somehow just slightly off.
While I was taking another look, I also solved the mystery of the missing center brace. My words won't do it justice, so I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves.
03-25-18, 07:23 PM
#12
A few more unrelated questions.
1. Does anyone know what the pictured wire is for? Assuming this isn't factory since its extremely shoddy. It is near the heater core lines on the firewall. I have no issues soldering the lines, but I'm just curious what I'm soldering.
2. I'm having a heck of a time removing the heater core from the interior. I have the dash out, and have disconnected the lines at the firewall, but it still won't pull out. Far as I can tell, the two metal lines that run from the firewall on the interior side to the core run through brackets on the back of the evaporator, which I am not yet prepared to remove (need to make sure the AC lines are empty) Can you not remove the heater core without also removing the evaporator? That doesn't make sense to me. I can find threads about rebuilding the core once it is out of the car (which is my goal, along with installing new carpet), but not much on actually getting the sucker out of the vehicle.
1. Does anyone know what the pictured wire is for? Assuming this isn't factory since its extremely shoddy. It is near the heater core lines on the firewall. I have no issues soldering the lines, but I'm just curious what I'm soldering.
2. I'm having a heck of a time removing the heater core from the interior. I have the dash out, and have disconnected the lines at the firewall, but it still won't pull out. Far as I can tell, the two metal lines that run from the firewall on the interior side to the core run through brackets on the back of the evaporator, which I am not yet prepared to remove (need to make sure the AC lines are empty) Can you not remove the heater core without also removing the evaporator? That doesn't make sense to me. I can find threads about rebuilding the core once it is out of the car (which is my goal, along with installing new carpet), but not much on actually getting the sucker out of the vehicle.
03-30-18, 07:39 PM
#13
Should probably just move this into a build thread, though that wasn't my original intention.
I figured out what was keeping me from being able to pull the heater core out finally. There is a little hidden bracket that attaches one of the copper heater core lines to the AC evaporator case. It is hidden between the case and the firewall, with pretty much no visibility, and very limited room to get at it. Luckily its only held on with one phillips head screw. With some finagling I was able to get a small ratchet in there and disconnect the brace. After that it was pretty easy to wiggle and pull the heater core assembly out.
I'll try to get some pictures of where the bracket was located later. I can't find any mention of that stupid thing anywhere, so I'm just mentioning it here for anyone who may pull this up in a search later. The rest of the process was fairly straightforward except for that hidden bracket.
The foam for all the little actuators and seals is basically just dust. The worst I have ever seen. Glad I decided to refurbish all the hvac stuff before I pull the carpet out.
No updates on the mystery wire. It looks like it runs towards the oil filter, but I may have to table that mystery until I am done with the work I am doing on the interior.
I figured out what was keeping me from being able to pull the heater core out finally. There is a little hidden bracket that attaches one of the copper heater core lines to the AC evaporator case. It is hidden between the case and the firewall, with pretty much no visibility, and very limited room to get at it. Luckily its only held on with one phillips head screw. With some finagling I was able to get a small ratchet in there and disconnect the brace. After that it was pretty easy to wiggle and pull the heater core assembly out.
I'll try to get some pictures of where the bracket was located later. I can't find any mention of that stupid thing anywhere, so I'm just mentioning it here for anyone who may pull this up in a search later. The rest of the process was fairly straightforward except for that hidden bracket.
The foam for all the little actuators and seals is basically just dust. The worst I have ever seen. Glad I decided to refurbish all the hvac stuff before I pull the carpet out.
No updates on the mystery wire. It looks like it runs towards the oil filter, but I may have to table that mystery until I am done with the work I am doing on the interior.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
KhanArtisT
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
3
02-11-08 07:39 PM
gnx7
Suspension/Wheels/Tires/Brakes
4
05-27-05 09:33 PM
BATMAN
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
16
09-24-04 09:33 AM