Spring/Suspension Q

tmjohansen · 08-02-2010, 09:20 PM

Today my brother had his stock springs and shocks replaced on his 2004 Mazda RX-8. He replaced them with MAZDASPEED springs and shocks. This new set up is supposed to lower the car all around by 0.8 inches. After having them installed, it seems to have raised the height of the car by a little. Not being a suspension expert, I was looking for any input from these pictures.

KillerBee370 · 08-02-2010, 09:46 PM

Usually a car needs to settle after an install of springs/suspension components. Give it a day or two.

Red__Zed · 08-02-2010, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KillerBee370

Usually a car needs to settle after an install of springs/suspension components. Give it a day or two.

tmjohansen · 08-02-2010, 09:56 PM

Will a car typically settle 1 1/2 to 2 inches?

Red__Zed · 08-02-2010, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmjohansen

Will a car typically settle 1 1/2 to 2 inches?

depends on springs/rates/weight/condition of spring/etc. I've usually noticed about an inch of settling in my experience.

tmjohansen · 08-02-2010, 10:34 PM

How about the total compression on the top of the spring, is this normal?

KillerBee370 · 08-02-2010, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmjohansen

How about the total compression on the top of the spring, is this normal?

Seems normal to me however I'm no Mazda expert. Who did the install? On my Z the tighter coils are at the bottom and not the top.

tmjohansen · 08-02-2010, 11:03 PM

Just a local shop here in Omaha. They had the instructions from Mazdaspeed that came with them, so you would assume it is right.

KillerBee370 · 08-02-2010, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmjohansen

Just a local shop here in Omaha. They had the instructions from Mazdaspeed that came with them, so you would assume it is right.

It probably is. Springs will definitely settle so a couple days of driving should yield a more accurate ride height.

takeshima · 08-04-2010, 05:22 PM

For some reason the last picture seems like the spring isnt seated propperly.

That will def cause it to raise. I also dont think that it is going to settle that much. so if it raised the car their is def a problem.

wishihadnav · 08-04-2010, 05:34 PM

i use to own an rx8 and if i remember correctly the front and back springs look REALLY similar to each other...double check to see if you have them on the correct struts..your car should be lower right away with this setup..if its sitting higher then theres a problem..double check it.

fuct · 08-05-2010, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KillerBee370

Seems normal to me however I'm no Mazda expert. Who did the install? On my Z the tighter coils are at the bottom and not the top.

on my Z with tein springs, the more coiled part is up top......

johnnydrama · 08-05-2010, 10:30 AM

yea the tech who installed my springs said it's common rule that the more coiled end goes towards the top... so that might be your problem there

Push370zzz · 08-05-2010, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmjohansen

Just a local shop here in Omaha. They had the instructions from Mazdaspeed that came with them, so you would assume it is right.

are you that 40th I see floatin around 156th street now and again?

tmjohansen · 08-08-2010, 01:45 AM

That would be me. I live just west of 156th and Dodge area. What color/specs of Z do you have?

08-02-2010, 09:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
tmjohansen Base Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Omaha,NE Posts: 230 Drives: 40th Anniversary Z Rep Power: 15	Spring/Suspension Q Today my brother had his stock springs and shocks replaced on his 2004 Mazda RX-8. He replaced them with MAZDASPEED springs and shocks. This new set up is supposed to lower the car all around by 0.8 inches. After having them installed, it seems to have raised the height of the car by a little. Not being a suspension expert, I was looking for any input from these pictures.

08-05-2010, 10:30 AM	#13 (permalink)
johnnydrama Track Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bloomington, IN Age: 40 Posts: 601 Drives: Nismo & FPace SVR Rep Power: 2231	yea the tech who installed my springs said it's common rule that the more coiled end goes towards the top... so that might be your problem there __________________ 358WHP/271WTQ BUILD THREAD

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08-02-2010, 09:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
KillerBee370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: So Cal baby! Age: 51 Posts: 5,964 Drives: with passion Rep Power: 321	Usually a car needs to settle after an install of springs/suspension components. Give it a day or two.

08-02-2010, 09:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
tmjohansen Base Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Omaha,NE Posts: 230 Drives: 40th Anniversary Z Rep Power: 15	Will a car typically settle 1 1/2 to 2 inches?

08-02-2010, 10:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
tmjohansen Base Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Omaha,NE Posts: 230 Drives: 40th Anniversary Z Rep Power: 15	How about the total compression on the top of the spring, is this normal?

08-02-2010, 11:03 PM	#8 (permalink)
tmjohansen Base Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Omaha,NE Posts: 230 Drives: 40th Anniversary Z Rep Power: 15	Just a local shop here in Omaha. They had the instructions from Mazdaspeed that came with them, so you would assume it is right.

08-04-2010, 05:22 PM	#10 (permalink)
takeshima Base Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: us Posts: 9 Drives: 10 nissan 370z wt m6 Rep Power: 15	For some reason the last picture seems like the spring isnt seated propperly. That will def cause it to raise. I also dont think that it is going to settle that much. so if it raised the car their is def a problem.

08-04-2010, 05:34 PM	#11 (permalink)
wishihadnav A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: 90090 Posts: 1,851 Drives: Force Fed Nismo Rep Power: 184	i use to own an rx8 and if i remember correctly the front and back springs look REALLY similar to each other...double check to see if you have them on the correct struts..your car should be lower right away with this setup..if its sitting higher then theres a problem..double check it.

08-08-2010, 01:45 AM	#15 (permalink)
tmjohansen Base Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Omaha,NE Posts: 230 Drives: 40th Anniversary Z Rep Power: 15	That would be me. I live just west of 156th and Dodge area. What color/specs of Z do you have?