Ls1Rx-7

iTrader: (4)

Take this opportunity to re-enforce the front ears on that diff housing. I cracked mine and had to remove the entire thing to fix it.

Nick_R_23

Geez, that’s the first one I’ve ever seen do that! What power level/usage does that diff see? I’m assuming it’s in an RX7 based on your username.

Can’t really do much until I get the subframes in and my parts back from PC. Went out and installed the ring gear and bearings onto the center section.

Mr. Black

That sucks man.

I've been with my wife since we were teenagers. I realize that is not the norm. At that I could never see myself be miserable in a relationship. Wish you a brighter future.

This thing is going to be a rocket!

Nick_R_23

The powdercoaters came through this week! They were very backlogged so it took a while to see these again, but I can finally more forward!

I received the correct front subframe from V8R. I wasn’t super happy that I had to pay shipping both ways since it was their error, but at least I have the right part now. The rear subframe, spindles, knuckles, differential case and cover, and sway bars were all done together.



The steering rack fits!

TrendSetter

where did you get the miata rear upper knuckle sphericals? i only know of sad fab making them and thought they only did one or two runs quite a few years back

Nick_R_23

Pretty sure those are from V8R.

TrendSetter

Yep, there they are. Thank you I wasn’t looking forward to trying to make some

Nick_R_23

I got the front subframe “assembled”! Still need to go through and antiseize a lot of hardware, but man this is just pure fire!!

Nick_R_23

Started working on the rear subframe. I got the new wheel bearings and upper sphericals installed in the knuckles.





Solid mounting bushings installed in the differential case



New case bolts and the V8R mounting bracket.

Nick_R_23

The next few parts needed some lathe and milling work. I’ve come to realize that V8R’s tolerances are…not always great. At least everything falls on the tight side of things so far, so that’s easy enough to correct. First up, the two rearmost spherical bearing spacers. The front subframe is VERY tight in that rear A-Arm mount area. These spacers required .070” taken off the step, but this is a lot better than the first subframe I received.



Next up is the front differential mounting block. V8R’s technical drawing states that the differential fit is tight by design, but even with the rear mounting bushings fully compressed, the front mounting bolt holes are still off alignment by close to 1/4”. Tight is one thing, impossible is another. I milled .200” off the mounting face of the block to bring the differential slightly more forward while still keeping a tight fit.



Finally, the rear wheel hubs. The hubs don’t fit the SKF bearings, mic’ing both parts revealed that it would have been a .0015” interference press fit to get these on. I used an illegal machining technique to mount the hubs in the lathe, then hone the shaft surface to a .001” slip fit. Started with 80 rough cut, 180 smooth cut, and 320 polish cut.

Pushed in some plastic bushings to center and protect the splines.



3/4” x 10” concrete anchor with washers as spacers to get the studs away from the spindle.



Perfect fit!

Nick_R_23

Looks like a perfect fit on the front diff!



Rear subframe loosely assembled!





Both of them together!

Project GatTagO

iTrader: (7)

Awesome progress!

Andrew