2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

Car leans while sitting still (oh the problems with this sucker..)

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Old 03-24-04 | 11:12 AM
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Barwick's Avatar
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Car leans while sitting still (oh the problems with this sucker..)

So every time I pull into my garage I can't help but notice "hey, the TurboII looks like it's leaning to the left... the right side is higher than the left"

And the more I look at it, the more I think "Yeah, it is leaning".

It also looks like (although I may be wrong) the drivers side rear tire is toed in a little bit (front of tire is facing inward towards the vehicle that is). I don't know for sure if it is or not, but it appears like it is.

And on the freeway when turning to the right, when I go over bumps, it wants to yaw to the right a little bit.

Any ideas on this?

I'm thinking something's messed up (duh...) namely the rear steer bushings, maybe a spring or spring perch is goofed up, bushings worn out, etc..

Oh and I had it on a hoist, and the rear "tie rods" or whatever they are on the back side, don't look bent.
Old 03-24-04 | 11:33 AM
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I had that same thing on my old RX-7...bugged the hell out of me. Someone (he knows a lot abotu cars, but mostly classic american cars) said that bad driveshafts/axles can cause that.

But I'd first figure the suspension to be the culprit.
Old 03-24-04 | 11:47 AM
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The car leans to the left cause its around 15 years old, If you are talking about the left as being to the left while looking at the front of the car, this can be cause by road crown... most states, especially in the north, require that the road be a few inches higher in the center than it is at the apron. This allows for water to run off the raod. In places around here, the crown is so pronounced, you can actually tell that the car is sitting towards the passenger side while you are driving. Puts more weight on the springs on that side, wears them out faster.

If you are talking about it leaning towards the drivers side, maybe its not the road crown, maybe its 15 years of fat asses in the drives seat, gradually wearing down the springs!!

worn strut tower mounts can cause this as well, so will a bend or worn anti-sway bar. Or the damn subframe could be twisted.

THe yaw concerns me more than the lean... check all your shocks, the rear steer bushings and the sway bar mounts. something is giving more than the rest of the suspension. If the suspension seems to be right, you can try new springs and the adjustable sway bar links from mazdatrix or racing beat to level the car out. however, I suspect a blown shock or a lose or broken link on a sway bar causeing the yaw.

Last edited by YearsOfDecay; 03-24-04 at 11:49 AM.
Old 03-24-04 | 12:00 PM
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That's my only big worry is that it might have a twisted frame piece somewhere.

And that would suck.

A lot.
Old 03-24-04 | 12:55 PM
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Hahahaha.

A lot.
Old 03-24-04 | 01:02 PM
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From: FORT WORTH, TEXAS,USA
Buy......new.......springs......is the fix. Springs hold the car evenly, not shock absorbers. Extended use of bad shock absorbers cause springs to fail/wear out sooner than need be. So get a set on new shocks while your putting on the new springs. Front and rear.
Old 03-24-04 | 03:26 PM
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RotaryResurrection pointed that out to me when i was at his shop one day he said the left side of the FC always sits about 1/4 of an inch lower. And no one really knows why.
Old 03-24-04 | 03:38 PM
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Originally posted by f1blueRx7
RotaryResurrection pointed that out to me when i was at his shop one day he said the left side of the FC always sits about 1/4 of an inch lower. And no one really knows why.
My '90 TurboII didn't have this problem, and I never heard it from anyone else really.

I guess getting all new springs/shocks, but man what a load of $$ into this car.
Old 03-24-04 | 05:08 PM
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Originally posted by f1blueRx7
RotaryResurrection pointed that out to me when i was at his shop one day he said the left side of the FC always sits about 1/4 of an inch lower. And no one really knows why.
To offset the japanese guy that hops in on the right hand side to drive of course.

It'd be interesting to corner weight the car before/after a spring change...
Old 03-24-04 | 09:59 PM
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I also replaced my shocks and struts and the drivers side still sits lower.
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