I just bought this 88 in January. It was really a handfull to drive in wet weather but I have also noticed that even on dry streets the rear end tends to jump sideways when hitting a pothole or even a small bump. The car has new tires and wheels now and the problem is still there. It is very distrubing to drive this vehicle when this happens. I can't find anything broken or loose anywhere under the rear of the car. Does anyone have an idea as to what is happening? Thanks - Larry Bushaw

 

My guess would be it's due to your tires. The more directional the tires the harder the car tends to pull in a certain direction following a bump/pothole. Of course, I'm not sure that this is similar to your problem, but in anycase that's why it's better to avoid bumps and particularly potholes while driving.

 

Worn out bushings and/or alignment. Most likely your alignment is wonky.

 

I had a simular issue on my '86 FC. It turned out that the "Lateral Link" on the drivers side was slightly bent and the bushings on both ends of it were completely worn out. It was not obvious anything was wrong until I had both rear wheels in the air and was under it with a crowbar.

If you are not familiar with what part of the rear suspension is called the lateral link take a look in the FSM (page: R-3, item 3).
http://www.teamfc3s.org/main/factory...Suspension.pdf

 

It could be any of the things everyone mentioned, but in all most likely hood its the nearly two decade old factory shocks/struts if they are original.

~Mike..............

 

I was just under the car again today and everything is tight. I am going to replace the rear shocks just to see if that might make a change. As the the tire answer, the problem was there with the old tires and wheels too!

 

Try dropping the tyre pressures to stop it being as skitty, rear dampers very prob not damping.... but always get a professional lazer allignment done by a place that regularly does performance cars... will make the biggest difference, tell them how you like the car to handle and they will dial it it!

 

Even if it's not alignment, getting an alignment will tell where the worn or damaged parts are. I'd start there. It will also help keep the new tires around a bit longer.

 

worn out rear struts. My honda was doing the same when hitting a bump on a dry day, especially in slight turns. scary ****.

 

Thank you TURBOAND! I first dropped my rear tire pressures from 33.5 to 30 and noticed an immediate change. I then dropped the rears to 29 lbs and this is a totally different car. The handling is perfect - no more skittish rear end. I am still going to change the rear shocks. The rest of the bushings back there look like they have been changed out since new. They can't be in that good of condition at 18 years. This car is not my daily driver - we have 6 vehicles. I was just missing not having a convertible and since I had 3 previous RX-7s, I wanted another. I always thought the RX-7 convertible was one of the prettiest vehicles on the road.

 

By the way, I should have thought of this myself - we owned a Miata in the past and talk about a car that is sensitive to tire pressures - the Miata is very pressure sensitive!

 

dead rear struts...same as murry, definately puckers up ur butthole in a corner