I recently bought an mx5 s special. This model comes with blistein shocks all round. The front of the car is much lower than the rear of the car; I don’t have a picture to load at the moment, but will try and get one on here soon.
My limited knowledge of the workings of suspension tells me that the springs define ride height(!), so the bilstein shocks should not affect this? In that case, can I replace my springs with any type or are ther certain springs better suited to the bilstein shocks? In all of this, I have not experiences any obvious handling defects having owned mx5’s previously.
Thanks once more,
Andrew
Sounds like a trip to WIM would be a good idea. They will set up the car as it should be. If you live a long way from Chesham ( I travel 75 miles each way there twice a year) then ring Tony Bones and he will recommend somewhere suitable nearer. As you have had 5s before, you will be able to tell him exactly how you want the car to handle. Is it worth it ? Ask anyone.
If you’re referring to gap between wheel arch and tyre then the front should have a smaller gap. You want to measure ride height - the distance from middle of centre cap to base of wheel arch. Front to rear variance in ride height should be around 10-20mm. More than that then something has gone wrong - Especialy if you have fixed height dampers.
I’ve got Gaz adjustables on my S-Special and ride height is Front 310mm and rear 320mm. If you have something like Front 330mm and rear 340mm then the variance is within tolerance. If you have say 320 front and 360 rear then there’s serious problems with your setup which points to unmatched springs/broken springs. When I had the billie’s on mine I think the variance was around 18mm between front and back.
Get the tape measure out and then do a search on here or the old forum (if its still about - mx5ocforum.co.uk) and there’s loads about suspension set up.
Bit of a newbie response here - is it definately nothing to do with the shocks? It does look to me like someone has put lowered springs on the front of the car, thus changing the balance. I’m quite happy doing mechanical stuff, so if its a spring problem, i’ll order some new ones and then take it along to WIM to get sorted.
Andrew
Sure I’ll be corrected by somone on here but your shocks stop the car bouncing all over the place - they damp the up and down motion. The Springs set the ride height. From memory my springs were slightly different lengths front and rear and you cant tell your ride height by just looking at the springs.
You need to be measuring ride height - centre of wheel to base of wheel arch and then check the front/rear heights to make sure they are within tolerance. More than 20mm variance and its outside tolerance.
If you call WIM to chat about set up etc one of the first things he’ll ask you is for your ride height. Measure that and you’ll know whether you have a problem or not.
The physical height of the car be affected by tyres as well as springs so your suspension could be fine but different size tires will make it look higher or lower but the ride height stays the same. Hence start with the physical measurement first.
If you’ve got unmatched springs it might be due to someone from the 60’s thinking jacked up rear ends are still fashionable.