Is there a best way to rejuvenate suspension?

Philip Lee · Postby **Philip Lee** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 11:45 am

there is NO pillow mount top for tein SS for MX5. when u order, u can choose to get a metal solid top or without the top.

Brad · Postby **Brad** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 1:15 pm

So what would be the advantage of a metal solid top? What's the normal one, rubber?

Philip Lee · Postby **Philip Lee** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 1:59 pm

Brad wrote:So what would be the advantage of a metal solid top? What's the normal one, rubber?

looks probably :lol:

actually if u don't get the metal top, u need to reuse the OEM one, which means more steps for installation.

as someone (Justin Fox i think it was) found out, you can lower your car more with the metal top than with the OEM top.

rogerbid · Postby **rogerbid** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 1:12 pm

tk421 wrote:Just to clarify is it the bouncyness of the car you have issues with? (if they are original shocks, it certainly would be)

or is it the fact that you get rattles and creaks in body over such surfaces with the bumps basically shaking the c#%p out of the car (windscreen moves side to side a little as compared to the rest of the car - known as scuttle shake)

Hi and thanks for so many useful replies! Sorry I have not been online sooner to reply. From the general tone of the replies it seems the original shocks are overdue for replacement and I shall take my time to read all the replies here again and again before making up my mind with which! However to answer the question posed above, yeah, it is the performance of the suspension as a whole rather than the flexing of the body I am keen to enhance!

Thanks guys, for these and any more comments anyone wants to add!

Roger

SuperMazdaKart · Postby **SuperMazdaKart** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 10:34 pm

Matty wrote:I've been through several suspension versions. Basically, all the "hard" bits (ie metal) don't really wear out, but the rubber and oily bits do degrade.

If you're happy with the standard ride height and soft springs, then keep them - going lower has its compromises, though it does look tasty!

The OEM shocks tend to lose their damping abilities after not too many k's - yours are surely shot by now.

A set of Koni shocks with the standard springs is a truly excellent setup for road use. In fact, it served me very well on the track too.

i think my 89 certainly could use updated suspsension parts (after 227,000Ks). don't hugely care for the lowered look, but new shocks with stock springs.. how is the bodyroll amount/grip compared to same shocks with lowered springs?

won't the original springs of sagged over time? should have the right side switched with left side?

since changing wheels to another set of new 14"s with new tyres (albeit cheapolas) i've noticed the car has a fair bit more bodyroll then before, i guess because the old tyres were so crap & understeered enough to make bodyroll not noticable.

now i just want a setup thats even better handling/response then the original equipment, not too expensive, minimised bodyroll, comfy cruising, & with reasonably the standard height so i can't get into driveways/over all speedbumps, won't attract much attention etc. this car is a daily driver & weekender cruiser, will never see the track.

probably go for the KYBs, Mildrens are having a sale on them i think. not entirely sure on the situation of the springs though, not really much point (& a waste of money) to buy new standard height springs OEM or aftermarket when compared to lowered..

Garry · Postby **Garry** » Sat Feb 18, 2006 5:50 pm

If you get the KYB's make sure you get the AGX's. The regular KYB's are crapola. They weren't much better than my tired original Mazda shocks on my NA.

ralphie · Postby **ralphie** » Sat Feb 18, 2006 7:34 pm

does a lowered na/nb mx5 need camber bolts from mazda? or can a wheel alignment tuck the wheels back in?

SuperMazdaKart · Postby **SuperMazdaKart** » Sat Feb 18, 2006 9:26 pm

yeh it'd be the AGXs at least, so still a good idea to use the old original springs??

oh & can the AGXs be adjusted by hand or needs a tool to turn the adjusting knobs?

SuperMazdaKart · Postby **SuperMazdaKart** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 11:35 pm

any opinions on Trust/Greddy lowering springs?

can get a set of 4 at $280

:shock:

Garry · Postby **Garry** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 8:42 am

Ralphie,

MX5's come with "camber bolts" built in from the factory.

Zoombie,

One of the best things about the AGX is the easing of adjusting the damping. Just reach around behind the wheel and turn the adjuster knob.
The hardest part is cleaning the dirt off your fingers.

They dont have spring perch height adjustment like the Konis though. So if you want to change the ride height you need to change your springs.

Andrew · Postby **Andrew** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 8:53 am

Garry wrote:One of the best things about the AGX is the easing of adjusting the damping. Just reach around behind the wheel and turn the adjuster knob.
The hardest part is cleaning the dirt off your fingers.

As per my pic on page 1 of this thread