OK, excuse the lenght of this post as I wan’t to explain as best I can:
Last summer I fitted new dampers, springs, poly bushes, track rod ends, drop links and new balljoints to my Mk1, followed by a trip to WIM for a full set-up.
List of parts fitted:
KYB AGX dampers X 4
Springs from MX5 parts X 4 (can’t remember if they were standard or the trim springs)
Full set of Polyflex poly bushes, including anti-roll bars.
Standard Mazda drop links, ball joints etc.
The car drove so much better than before but I have always been a little concerned with the ride height difference, at first it did not concern me as I expected everything to settle down a bit.
The ride height today (measured from wheel centres to arch lip) is as follows:
Front O/S 12.5 Front N/S 13.5
Rear O/S 12.25 Rear N/S 13
I do not know at this stage if 1 or more of the springs have broken so need to rule that out first.When fitting the parts I tightened the drop links with the wheels on the ground but none of the wishbone mounting were tightened in this way - could I have pre-loaded something, upper wishbone for example? the lower rear wishbones were very difficult to fit due to the rigidity of the bushes but I expect they soon free up as the car is driven?
Any ideas on what else it could be? I also welcome suggestions on replacement springs that would give something like 13.5 inches rear and 13 inches front - assuming everything else is in order of course.
Thanks for reading this long post.
Aan
Didn’t WIM notice or comment on the height settings you describe?
No, WIM did not comment on the ride height, here are the figures from the print out:
Left A - 340 B - 330
Right A - 335 B - 320
It
looks like I need to confirm that the springs are all intact as others
seem to have had problems with spring breaking, they have only done
about 4000 miles though so I would be surprised if they were broken.
I
would be tempted to change the springs but it seems that unless you use
coilovers you are stuck with a very low ride height or standard
springs, I would probably like the ride height of an early MK1, maybe a
tiny bit less but it needs to be comfortable.
WIM may not have commented as the differences between sides fall within the Mazda spec. This is a quote from the Mazda WSM
"Measure the height from the centre of the wheel to the fender brim. The difference laft and right must not exceed 10mm[0.31"] and the difference between front and rear must be 20mm +/- 10mm [0.62+/- 0.31 in]
When I was concerned about the drivers side,back and front being slightly lower than the left side I was told that, that was quite normal as most cars have only the driver in them for most of the on road time.
I didn’t bother about it after that. When I eventually get down to WIM I will ask him again about it, but as it is a long drive for me to get there it might be a while yet before I go there.
Thanks for the replys. I would be happy if the figires were the same now as they were when the cae was aligned - but a 1 inch variation from left to right is a bit concerning.
Maybe I need to get on a diet though as the O/S is quite a bit is lower than the N/S!!!
I have just found at least part of the problem, a broken rear spring on the O/S rear. Quite a shock after just over 18 months and about 3500 miles. I’m glad I am able to fit the parts myself or it would be a bigger deal.
As I have never been very happy the the KYB dampers I am reluctant to replace the springs and refit the dampers as I was never 100% happy with the damping performance as the car alway felt a little bouncy, small bumps mid bend would unsettle it considerably.
I am reluctant to fit the standard springs again from the same supplier as they are not a quick job to replace, most lowering springs are too low for my liking - even more so with the spring perch height on the KYB dampers.
The timming is not ideal as I would have waited for the new Performance 5 kit, due in a month or so. I may look into the current Puredrive kit as it seems very well respected. I want to make the right choice this time as replacing every year or so is a pain - the last change was to remove the Eibach springs (lower the car 30mm - honest!!!)
I would be very interested if anyone is running KYB AGX dampers and would recomend them I would be very interested in the springs fitted and the ride height.
can anyone advise, just had rear springs fitted ride height , centre of wheel to arch 15 inches rear, and 13 inches at the front , is this wrong? garage said hey would lower themselves in time., is it dangerous or just looks silly.
eunos 1991 mariner blue
15"= 381mm, must look like a 4wd
That is far too high, have the correct springs been fitted?
The front is ok