slopoke

I believe that pretty much all my reaer bushings must be shot for the suspension for when i hit bumps it makes a clunking noise, but i believe i will get the m2 trailing arms for that. the question i have is regarding a clunk when i shift. i am not sure if it is the rear diffential bushings or if it is the rear diff itself. when i shif tit make a clunk sometimes. my friend has a 300zx and he had the bushings replaced and it solved it. does this sound like what is bad, what other sugestion or comments on what it could be, and is there a way to check easily or at all, thanks for all your time and help, scott

dclin

iTrader: (4)

I just repaced my diff bushings, and 90% of my clunking went away. the next suspect is the upper a-arm bushings as there is a Mazda TSB on it. I think they were replaced for free while it was under warranty.

Contrary to what the marketing people at M2 would like you to believe, the source of clunking is generally not the trailing arms or toe links, though it could very well be possible - if your bushings have sustained more wear (meaning your drove the sh$t out of it, hehe) then normal.

Flybye

My toe-links DID go bad. Upgrading to the M2 kit DID remove some slop out of the rearend, though. It's a good upgrade, IMO.

Generally, a bad bushings will be able to be moved by hand. Jack up the rear end and just start moving different suspension components around. Put the car on jack stands, then put the hack under the tire and raise the suspension an inch or so. This will also allow you to check for any abnormally moving parts.

dclin

iTrader: (4)

Like i said, your mileage may vary. There is a TSB on the a-arm bushings: http://www.rx7.org/public/3RD.html, but none on the other (rear) bushings. They are all pretty much worthless as we all know.

I'm sure the M2 trailing arm are a very worthwhile upgrade (and I'd love to have a set), but I have heard more then once people buying a complete kit with the intention of solving their clunking problem, but discover it was something else.

I guess you could call very effective marketing. If you have the money, go for it.

Flybye

I see your point. People will automatically assume the M2 kit will solve ALL of their rear end clunking problems. Which is TOTALLY false.

Actually, even Jim's bushings wouldn't get rid of each and every clunk in the back if you had any. His set doesn't replace the pillow ball bushings which are at the end of the rear lower control arms. One of these went bad, and I simply had to have a dealer replace it for me.

rtryrktrx7

The bushings in the Rear Upper and Lower control arms were replaced. Actually, the warranty won' t cover the bushing. Take my word for it. The way I got around it was replacing the Upper and Lower conrtol arms and "ALL" my clunking went away. For some stupid, STUPID reason the warranty company wouldn't pay for the bushing alone, but the would pay $2000 for the control arms with new bushings. Go figure. Idiots I tell you, Idiots!! Anyway, that's what fixed my problem. Hope it helps.

slopoke

Thanks for all the responses, i am going to get under my car tomorrow and see if i can wiggle or see anything. thanks again, scott

93Rx-7Lover

Hi Guys,

I need some help with my clunking baby as well. I've searched through the forum and other websites and I have come to the conclusion that the clunking I've been hearing is coming from the rear suspension of my 93 Base VR with 69K miles, and it is probably due to worn out bushings. So I take the car to a reputable rotary shop here in Southern California and after a days worth of poking, pulling and yanking they come to the conclusion that my suspension is fine. They claim that the noise is caused by worn tires (even though they have about 50%thread left) and thats why I am hearing noises. I explained to them that the car has been making that noise since I bought it last May, and that this last week, on a couple of occasions, it has actually made some "metal rubbing on metal" noise as well. They insist that the car is fine and all I need is new tires in the back. I called a couple of other places around here (Mazdatrix, Rotary Power, etc.) and they pretty much laughed at the diagnosis. Nobody seems to have any time to look at it for at least a couple of weeks, an I am kind of scared to drive the darn thing fearing that the wheels are gonna fall off. Do you guys have any idea what else it could be, or do you know of any other decent places to take it to her in southern California?


Victor

1993 VR RX-7 Base
HKS Downpipe
Boost gauge
RB intake duct
Brembo X-Drilled/Slotted rotors
fingers crossed at 69K miles