- My model of MX-5 is: 2008 1.8 standard
- I’m based near: London
- I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: __
Hi All,
So I changed the front springs a month or so ago to standard KYB’s and afterwards the garage told me the front drivers shock was leaking. Handy that ! The car has done approx 80k
There I am going to change both front shocks with new Sachs units, also changing all the springs to Eibach -30mm.
I also have spare a-arms in case those bushes are too crusty
The question being, what about the rear shocks? I understand that shocks are good as long as they don’t leak. Basically they are either sealed or not.
However conscious that for the sake of £55 a rear shock it might just be worth replacing to ensure the car is 100% balanced and running on the same brand of dampers. Worth it, or just a waste of money if the rears aren’t gone?
Difficult one without really assessing it after fronts are done by a good test session.
TBH, I replaced our 2002 Sport’s coilovers a while back…cracked spring on one side a whiff of leak on the opposite shock with OEM and it feels fine. Got it Hunter aligned just to be spot on though.
The rears at 105k miles seem to be OK but doubtless past their absolute prime. They show no apparent signs of age or wear degradation. Compression & rebound feel good still. Handles very well. Also popped on new drop links on the rear which were going crumble-botty.
You might suspect I’d get a bit of understeer in the wet especially with a “stiffer” front then rear but…no.
Which is one reason I’d recommend getting an alignment done anyway.
Dry mechanical grip is just as it was in 2006 when we bought it.
If it was me, bearing in mind the rears are probably past their prime at 80k, I would replace them as it’s all coming apart anyway
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Fair point.
Being a haggis muncher I’m as tight as a duck’s rear orifice in a Force 8.
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Not far behind being a pasty munching Cornishman 
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