- My model of MX-5 is: 2009 2.0ltr Sport Tech.
- I’m based near: Worcestershire
- I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: Front Bilstein spring length.
I’ve just had the front Bilsteins replaced on my NC at 150k. I think they were the originals, or at least replaced by originals as the springs have the correct red/orange dots and the dampers are genuine Bilstein (Bilstein UK confirmed that the ones for the NC were unique to that car, so were very unlikely to be anything other than genuine).
Now the question..
What length are the springs when new? I forgot to measure them!
This is one of the old ones:
I make them about 375mm.
The reason I’m curious is the car now has a distinct 4x4 look that the Sport tech normally doesn’t seem to have!
I’ve checked the VIN with MX5Parts and they do insist they are the correct parts (everything on the suspension units were bought from them under their advise and the springs and dampers are genuine Mazda).
So, have the springs sagged that much over the years?
hope to have an answer,
Rick.
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Who fitted the springs? The first question to them should be did they tighten any suspension bushes that that they undid during replacement with the weight of the car on the suspension or while it was hanging free?
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Field’s in Hanley Swan. Old friend of the family.
I did contemplate this and Bryan at MX5Parts suggested it too.
I’ll give them a bell tomorrow after the car’s had a bout an 80 mile run to/from work.
Rick.
I’ve just found an old picture of the car and I think I’m over thinking it!
It looks pretty similar, but will check tomorrow.
Rick.
BTW, still would like to know the “New” length!
Ok, now getting paranoid!
A random bloke at work commented that he thought some one had nick the engine!
It really does look high at the front now.
I’m popping back to the garage tomorrow for a chat.
Anybody know the length of the new springs??
Rick.
What’s the distance from top of the wheel arch to the centre of the wheel? I’ve just had mine lowered with coilovers and Vince at Vince’s Motorworks commented it was a bit higher than he’d seen before on most NCs. He made a point of measuring the height so I’ll ask him what it was and you can compare.
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Cheers for that if you can.
I’m measuring about 377mm (just under 15”) give or take.
It’d be a bit more accurate from the ground to the arch if he has that measurement.
Cheers.
Rick.
Popped into the garage yesterday.
Luckily there was a standard NC 3.0 (as apposed to my 3.5..) in for MOT for comparison.
The chap who runs the garage commented that mine did indeed look wrong!
Booked in next week to investigate.
Rick.
As promised; measured from top of arch to ground
| Column 1 |
Column 2 |
Column 3 |
Column 4 |
|
Front |
Rear |
|
| Before |
660 mm |
675mm |
|
| After |
620 mm |
635mm |
|
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|
|
|
|
|
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So the fun continues!
Having measured the new height I confirm that it’s quite a bit higher than it was!
The garage I use have been brilliant (Field’s, Hanley Swan..).
They checked the new parts against the old parts and confirmed the new springs are indeed longer that the ones taken off (All other parts were identical).
The new springs have the same colour dots as the old ones, so what’s going on?
Have the old ones sagged that much?
Having rechecked MX-5 parts the fronts they suggested against my VIN number state the front springs are for a soft top. Mines the PRHT.
They list a different part for this car.
I’ve asked them for clarification…
Rick.
