ZX-5 Advice and help needed please

[delorean_dude]

Hi

I have a lazer ZX-5 Sp with alot of upgrades. Brought that way. Been running great for a while now. Several things Id like to fix or clarify. Are the front or rear suspension arms the ones with 3 settings on. all the manuals show as the front but mine are the other way around. 3 spring attachment points at the rear.

The second thing... my car after running a while down the park testing setup etc started to make a grinding sound under heavy acceleration. sound like it a gear slipping or something. Its comming from the back I think so stripped it down and looked at the diff and it doesnt look like the diff gears are warped or melted (seen that before on a car i had some years ago).

Any idea what it could be.

Thanks in advance

[delorean_dude]

Ive loosened and tightened bth the rear diff and the slipper nut and it still seems to be making the same noise..

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I have spares. i just dont know what to do or replace.

thanks

[paulc]

Have you shimmed the diff correctly ?

[delorean_dude]

Im not sure what shimming is?

And would that be the reason considering its been working fine and just started it all of a sudden?

Thanks

[Neil Skull]

If your car is making a horrible noise it could be a few things.

If you are new to the car i suggest you do a complete rebuild follow the manual and learn how the car works.
test everything as you rebuild and replace any worn out parts and test for smooth quiet components.
normally if my car is noisy i look at the diffs are they operating smoothly or gritty? are they slipping?
is the white gearbox gears worn or need re-meshing. is the slipper slipping (too much)
the lazer is a simple car so doing a complete re-build is not that big a job.

[delorean_dude]

Ok

When I got the car i did a rebuild to a point. Didnt take the gears apart as im not sure how they work. is it likely to be the diff gears. I have spares so if it may be that ill replace them. the thing is. It has the allen bolt upgrade and im not sure where they all go so if i take it apart im worried i might not get teh bolts back in right.

[Neil Skull]

If you want to be a good car mechanic you must not be afraid to rebuild the diffs and the gearboxes.
Its not too tricky, just the shimming when you put the diffs back in the cars is very important. The shims are the thin washers that allow you to mesh correctly the input gear with the Crown transfer gear (thats the white delrin ones) you must make sure they are not too tight or loose and grease correctly with a ring gear type grease.
You must be at one with your car to fully master the efficient and silent running that my stealth FS Has acheived:thumbsup:

[delorean_dude]

Ok thanks...

Can you comment on my other question regarding the suspension arms?

[mikeyscott]

Shunning diffs, mm not something that has to be done on the SX. Mmm

[paulc]

Shunning diffs, mm not something that has to be done on the SX. Mmm

Because it is belt drive not shaft

[mikeyscott]

Yeah I know, just hadn't paid attention to drive shaft machines before..

[delorean_dude]

Can anyone answer the questin I had about the suspensions arms?

Thanks

[DaSloth]

I would go with what the instruction manual says personally. Maybe whoever rebuilt it previously got them the wrong way round?

Even the FS2 manual says it should be 3 at the front and 2 at the back so i'd go with that :)

[Neil Skull]

For the suspension arms it can be confusing.

There are people who like the short medium arms or the long arms on the front or rear etc etc. so the owner may have played with different set ups.

It seems wrong to me though, maybe thats why the owner sold it because it drove badly :thumbsup:

I do believe its worth completey stripping the car down and rebuilding to the manual. things like the wishbones could mean the driveshafts need checking too you dont want long driveshafts in the short arms!!!! or vice versa!!

[RogerM]

Please post a picture of your car showing front and rear wishbones clearly and I will identify them, give you part numbers and advise on the best replacements if there are any improvements to be had.

All for the excellent price of free .. can't say fairer than that ;)

[delorean_dude]

Hi

Currently at work. will post a piccie later..

Cheers

[delorean_dude]

sorry had to go away on business. back now so will take shots soon and post.

[delorean_dude]

Ok so it turns out in my bits box i have 3 types. two with 2 connection holes and 1 with 3.

http://s853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/deloreandude/suspension/?action=view&current=04082010130.jpg
http://s853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/deloreandude/suspension/?action=view&current=04082010131.jpg
http://s853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/deloreandude/suspension/?action=view&current=04082010133.jpg

links incase images dont show
http://s853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/deloreandude/suspension/?action=view&current=04082010130.jpg

http://s853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/deloreandude/suspension/?action=view&current=04082010131.jpg

http://s853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96/deloreandude/suspension/?action=view&current=04082010133.jpg