Hello again. I'm trying to chip away at a few things on my girlfriend's 1980 RX-7 that she purchased about a month ago. It has 85-ish thousand miles.

Anyway, the rear suspension clunks a bunch and feels harsh, like there's a lot of slop in something. Is there a commonly seen cause for this, such as particular bushings? If so, should one replace them with stock parts or something better, if available?

The shocks appear to still have some damping action, FWIW.

Thanks!

 

When does the clunk happen? over any little bump or crack, just over something like speedbumps or hitting a bump at highway speeds etc.
How harsh it is? on a scale of slightly audible to I can feel it in the floorpan sweet jebus that was loud.

1. Check all link ends for the bushings even being on there, cracked, tearing etc.
2. Check to make sure shocks are tightened down.
3. Check to make sure your wheels are tightened down to the correct torque.
4. I would as well check the transmission mount and crossmember bolts, especially if you know it has had previous work involving the removal of these parts.

I also had a real nasty clunk a while back that I thought was coming from the rear-end due to the new springs I had put in causing my axle to hit my exhaust but it actually turned out to be the transmission crossmember bolt on the driverside but unfortunately I didn't figure that out until after it ripped the bolt straight out of the mount.

 

It seems to take a largish crack or bump to really make the clunk prominent. I'm not sure about speed bumps, since I haven't driven over any.

I will check the things you suggest.

THanks!

 

For bushing replacement try Re-Speed.com.