Chassis Bolts Need Tightening

[k4adams]

Hello,
New to this group - actually, new to rotary. I recently bought a 1984 RX7 GSL-SE in the USA. It's in really good shape, with 100,000 miles. It's got bad shocks/stuts, and I think that might have contributed to my problem. There's some bad squeaking going on in the ride, and sounds like it's behind the right seat. I'm thinking it's a body bolt, but before I start tearing about interior panels, I was seeing if anyone else could contribute some knowledge on possible location, and/or other possible causes. Thanks

[DKWW2000]

Hello K4?,
Welcome to the Forum. We would love to see some pictures of your car. you don't mention where you are from, but judging by your model I guess it must be North America?
Your noise sounds like it could be the rear shock bushes worn or the rear sway bar drop links or bushes (or 1 of the many other rear suspension bushes) , always very difficult to diagnose from afar, best to get underneath and investigate, both jobs are easy to fix & worth doing anyway because of age of vehicle before starting on some of the harder ones,
regards Pete

[codge]

My guess is that it's the common problem on FB RX7's. Just about all have had to be repaired at some time or another.
The rear axle ties to the chassis via top and bottom tie bars.
There has always been a design fault on the top tie bar reinforcing plates in the back wheel arch and flexing on the body relative to the axle cracks the protective paint coat. Then if you're in a bad winter area like UK the salt/moisture gets in and rots out the chassis at that point.

If that's it it and unless it's spread further then the fix is quite easy for a professional resto shop. But it's best if the owner takes the rear interior out to save costs (there's hot work welding required to fix).

Have a look behind the rear seat / inside the rear arches and let us know.

Hope that helps
Codge (Dave)

[ian65]

soak all your rear suspension bushes with WD40, especially the bushes in the radius arms which fix to the body behind the seats and see if the squeaking diminishes... if it does, you need to rebush the rear suspension.

[k4adams]

Thanks everyone -- I'll check this tomorrow. I'm about to add a post in the Who's Who section - thanks again

[k4adams]

The bushings was my problem -- I sprayed w/ WD40 and it shut the squeak up -- not to change out once warm weather comes -- thanks again for the advice and help

[k4adams]

forgot to add -- there's not a single spot of rust under this baby -- amazed at the pristine shape of this ride

[spirit r]

The bushingbs was my problem -- I sprayed w/ WD40 and it shut the squeak up -- not to change out once warm weather comes -- thanks again for the advice and help

WD 40 or oil destroy the rubber in long duration. That's happen to my bushings as i sprayed the undersurface with a mixing out of motoroil and ballistol in the 90ties.
Better taking teflonspray.

[ian65]

The bushingbs was my problem -- I sprayed w/ WD40 and it shut the squeak up -- not to change out once warm weather comes -- thanks again for the advice and help

WD 40 or oil destroy the rubber in long duration. That's happen to my bushings as i sprayed the undersurface with a mixing out of motoroil and ballistol in the 90ties.
Better taking teflonspray.

yes, oil will, WD40 not so much as most of it evaporates although long term use isn't recommended.
If your bushes are squeaking though then they already need replacing. The rear suspension is meant to be free moving at its pivot points.
As these cars age, the bushes harden and seize onto the suspension components and sleeves.... the sleeves seize onto the mounting bolts and then the only movement you get is from the flex in the rubber bush which itself is reduced due to them becoming hard and brittle.
This has a huge impact on the ride and handling of the car.
Fit a set of these...

http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/storemade003

and they will transform your handling and ride. I've used them on 2 different 1st gens and they are awesome..... there's loads of info on this forum about them.

[Hobbawobba]

The bushes Ian mentioned above are awesome. I've only installed them in the rear end so far. The way I describe it - is that it makes the car feel more together (if that makes sense? )