Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2000 15:05:11 -0800 (PST)
From: John Demetre (jsesq@yahoo.com)
Subject: (rx7) [3] M2 Trailing Arms install (long-ish)
I just installed the M2 replacement Trailing Arms in hopes of reducing annoying (and damaging) wheel hop during hard launches.
The Trailing Arms themselves are well made and seem to weigh about as much as the stock arms (no scale was used, just my guess based on feel). The advantage of the replacement is supposed to be that the end that connects to frame now utilizes a ball joint and eliminates a rubber bushing mount.
The theory of the installation was VERY simple. However, like most things on my eight year old car, the theory didn't play out exactly as expected. The procedure was to remove 2 bolts (per arm), remove the old arm, and bolt in the new one.
Well, those bolts just would NOT move!! I finally got them after liberal application of WD-40 and using a pipe wrench on my socket wrench. The replacement arms fit perfectly and bolted in with no problem.
I recommend removing the two shields under the car along with the small black guards in front of the rear wheel openings. This allows better access to the forward bolt that attaches the arms to the frame.
My road test results were mixed. My first launch (~3000 RPM) produced some moderate hop, but subsequent launches (at higher RPM's) seemed to be smoother. I am using Dunlop SP 8000 tires. Could it be that I need to go to even higher RPM's to get better launches? How high would be too high? I will be attending a track event this weekend when I can do some more substantial testing.
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