Category Archives: Other Car Talk

Cruise Control Cable Foam Replacement

Leave a reply

http://www.mcmaster.com/

I ordered the Weather-Resistant EPDM Foam and Neoprene Spring Rubber. After actually getting them in the mail I can clearly see it is the Weather-Resistant EPDM Foam. I ordered part # 4339T3 Weather-Resistant EPDM Foam, Tube, 5/8″ OD, 1/4″ ID, 6′ Length $10.38. The size matches the factory perfectly.

I finally got this done (sick kid took all my time).

It was very easy to install. I removed the end of the cable from the throttle side, leaving the it completely intact. I cut the new foam to length using the existing foam as a guide. I then cut off the old foam off the cable, basically just fell off. The bracket that is bolted to the strut tower needed to be spread apart with a screw driver. I then sprayed WD40 down the new tube and slid it over the end.

If anyone was wondering, the EPDM foam is the same foam that was used as padding on the A/C hoses.

IMG_0112

 

IMG_0113

Mazda RX-7 GSL-SE Lower Control Arm Mount Change

Leave a reply

Steven Porter asked me to show him what the change that actually is in the mounts for the GSL-SE RX-7.  Mazda says in the 1984 RX-7 Brochure, “GSL-SE lower control arms are lowered 20mm to improve road holding and grip.”  Other than that one sentence, Mazda doesn’t give any more information.  I’ve gone ahead and taken pictured of the standard RX-7 lower control arm mounts and the GSL-SE mounts.

The mount show below is on a 1983 GS.  It is the standard mount on all first generation RX-7’s.  The picture shows that the bottom of the mount is level with the floor. The bolt sits at about 50mm and the bottom of the mount is at 80mm.

IMG_0047

 

The GSL-SE mount does not sit level with the floor, it flairs down.  The bolt sits at about 70mm and the bottom of the mount is at 100mm. Overall it is a very slight change in the suspension geometry but it does actually make a difference in the car.

IMG_0017

 

I took two extra pictured of the GSL-SE mounts for reference.

IMG_0018

IMG_0019