Suspension possibly damaged: HALP

My5ABaby · 03-22-2008, 12:16 PM

I was bleeding my brakes and came across this interesting find (see pictures). This is on the front passenger (U.S.) side.

Is this an issue or something that I can ignore?

My5ABaby · 03-22-2008, 12:25 PM

Oh, and the crack didn't seem to go too deep. Maybe a few mm's that I could see. It may have gone farther that I'm unable to see.

JL1RX7 · 03-22-2008, 03:46 PM

You might want to get new shocks very soon. What you have is rust created from the stress cracks. Yea it might be fine for normal driving, but some track days or hard runs on the dragon may not be a good idea till you get them replaced. If you can try to see if they go all the way thru the shock mount. If it is just surface rust then it shouldnt be to much of a big deal, but should get put high on the priority list for replacement.

RETed · 03-22-2008, 04:35 PM

Change it ASAP.
If it was just the paint cracking, then it wouldn't be that big of a deal.
It looks like it's rusting, and that's BAD.

-Ted

My5ABaby · 03-22-2008, 05:12 PM

Damn damn damn damn. Looks like I'll be driving very gingerly through the dragon this year considering there's no way I can afford to replace it.

My5ABaby · 03-22-2008, 05:18 PM

In related news, how hard is that to replace with a stock one from a parts car? Is it something I can do without any special tools?

RETed · 03-22-2008, 06:22 PM

Replacing the shock + spring combo is straight-forward.
No special tools needed.

It's when you remove the spring that requires spring compressors to do safely...

-Ted

BLKTOPTRVL · 03-22-2008, 06:22 PM

http://www2.partstrain.com/store/?Nt...064+4294966977

My5ABaby · 03-22-2008, 06:44 PM

Would I have to replace both at the same time (kinda like tires)?

Also, are the struts between models/years the same/interchangeable?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLKTOPTRVL

http://www2.partstrain.com/store/?Nt...064+4294966977

Ok, I'm confused due to my complete ignorance when it comes to suspension. http://www2.partstrain.com/store/?N=...0rx-7%20struts
Which ones would I need?

My5ABaby · 03-22-2008, 06:51 PM

Oh, and thanks for all the help thus far. I'm completely clueless when it comes to suspension (among other things).

If it matters, I was also told (and it seems to fit) that it's a Sport model.

JL1RX7 · 03-22-2008, 11:25 PM

No you should be able to change them in the driveway with no special tools other than a spring compressor. Which is for safety and makes it a little easier to swap. The only other major thing is the bolts, they may need some "help" getting loose. With the rust that I see on the shock, I would look at at getting new hardware(bolts, washers, etc) and bushings. That way when you do this you can replace the other stuff all at once and not have to worry about stuff. The only other advice I could give you is after you do the suspension stuff take the car and get it aligned. Yes you may get all the pieces back just like they were before, but you could knock something out just a hair that could eat your tires faster than before.

My5ABaby · 03-22-2008, 11:36 PM

Bushings... hmm.... sounds like a pain.

JL1RX7 · 03-22-2008, 11:40 PM

Bro you have no idea! I am glad I am near a base with a hobby shop that for 3 or 4 bucks and hour has a frame lift and about any tool you could ever need to work on cars. I helped a bubby with a rustang redo his suspension bushings and well about 5 hours later and a few cut off wheels we got them out and replaced. All I know is he has to help me do mine this summer when I get back.

My5ABaby · 03-22-2008, 11:43 PM

Oh for fucks sake I'm confused. This is why I avoid suspension work like the plague.

GAH!!!!!! I feel like a retard tonight.

Ok... what bushings would I need?

Edit: Christ, I just read JL's last post... this requires special tools? I GIVE UP!

JL1RX7 · 03-22-2008, 11:55 PM

Yes and no on the specail tools. For the shocks go rent the spring compressor for the day at advance or auto zone. And have a big hammer, PB and a big breaker bar to get some of the the bolts loose on the shock mounts. With all the heat from the breaks and the years of salt and road slime they will be hard to break loose. Thats why I recommend getting new hardware. That way you won't have as much trouble if you have to do things again. Now if money and time permit I would change the bushings. Because if you pull the shocks and spindle you already have done the hard stuff to change the bushings in the control arms and the dog bones in the front. The control arms might need a press to get them back in but I havent done them myself yet so I dont know for sure. So first just worry about getting those shocks changed out then onto the bushings and other bits on the front end.

03-22-2008, 06:51 PM	#10
My5ABaby Sigh..... Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Murfreesboro, TN iTrader: (6) Posts: 2,377 Rep Power: 19	Oh, and thanks for all the help thus far. I'm completely clueless when it comes to suspension (among other things). If it matters, I was also told (and it seems to fit) that it's a Sport model. Last edited by My5ABaby; 03-22-2008 at 06:58 PM..

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03-22-2008, 12:25 PM	#2
My5ABaby Sigh..... Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Murfreesboro, TN iTrader: (6) Posts: 2,377 Rep Power: 19	Oh, and the crack didn't seem to go too deep. Maybe a few mm's that I could see. It may have gone farther that I'm unable to see.

03-22-2008, 03:46 PM	#3
JL1RX7 Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Front Royal, VA iTrader: (1) Posts: 487 Rep Power: 17	You might want to get new shocks very soon. What you have is rust created from the stress cracks. Yea it might be fine for normal driving, but some track days or hard runs on the dragon may not be a good idea till you get them replaced. If you can try to see if they go all the way thru the shock mount. If it is just surface rust then it shouldnt be to much of a big deal, but should get put high on the priority list for replacement.

03-22-2008, 05:12 PM	#5
My5ABaby Sigh..... Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Murfreesboro, TN iTrader: (6) Posts: 2,377 Rep Power: 19	Damn damn damn damn. Looks like I'll be driving very gingerly through the dragon this year considering there's no way I can afford to replace it.

03-22-2008, 05:18 PM	#6
My5ABaby Sigh..... Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Murfreesboro, TN iTrader: (6) Posts: 2,377 Rep Power: 19	In related news, how hard is that to replace with a stock one from a parts car? Is it something I can do without any special tools?

03-22-2008, 06:22 PM	#8
BLKTOPTRVL Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2008 iTrader: (0) Posts: 192 Rep Power: 17	http://www2.partstrain.com/store/?Nt...064+4294966977

03-22-2008, 11:25 PM	#11
JL1RX7 Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Front Royal, VA iTrader: (1) Posts: 487 Rep Power: 17	No you should be able to change them in the driveway with no special tools other than a spring compressor. Which is for safety and makes it a little easier to swap. The only other major thing is the bolts, they may need some "help" getting loose. With the rust that I see on the shock, I would look at at getting new hardware(bolts, washers, etc) and bushings. That way when you do this you can replace the other stuff all at once and not have to worry about stuff. The only other advice I could give you is after you do the suspension stuff take the car and get it aligned. Yes you may get all the pieces back just like they were before, but you could knock something out just a hair that could eat your tires faster than before.

03-22-2008, 11:36 PM	#12
My5ABaby Sigh..... Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Murfreesboro, TN iTrader: (6) Posts: 2,377 Rep Power: 19	Bushings... hmm.... sounds like a pain.

03-22-2008, 11:40 PM	#13
JL1RX7 Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Front Royal, VA iTrader: (1) Posts: 487 Rep Power: 17	Bro you have no idea! I am glad I am near a base with a hobby shop that for 3 or 4 bucks and hour has a frame lift and about any tool you could ever need to work on cars. I helped a bubby with a rustang redo his suspension bushings and well about 5 hours later and a few cut off wheels we got them out and replaced. All I know is he has to help me do mine this summer when I get back.

03-22-2008, 11:43 PM	#14
My5ABaby Sigh..... Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Murfreesboro, TN iTrader: (6) Posts: 2,377 Rep Power: 19	Oh for fucks sake I'm confused. This is why I avoid suspension work like the plague. GAH!!!!!! I feel like a retard tonight. Ok... what bushings would I need? Edit: Christ, I just read JL's last post... this requires special tools? I GIVE UP!

03-22-2008, 11:55 PM	#15
JL1RX7 Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Front Royal, VA iTrader: (1) Posts: 487 Rep Power: 17	Yes and no on the specail tools. For the shocks go rent the spring compressor for the day at advance or auto zone. And have a big hammer, PB and a big breaker bar to get some of the the bolts loose on the shock mounts. With all the heat from the breaks and the years of salt and road slime they will be hard to break loose. Thats why I recommend getting new hardware. That way you won't have as much trouble if you have to do things again. Now if money and time permit I would change the bushings. Because if you pull the shocks and spindle you already have done the hard stuff to change the bushings in the control arms and the dog bones in the front. The control arms might need a press to get them back in but I havent done them myself yet so I dont know for sure. So first just worry about getting those shocks changed out then onto the bushings and other bits on the front end.