Alignment not lasting, caused by worn bushes?

zossy1 · Postby **zossy1** » Fri Dec 02, 2011 9:24 pm

trader wrote:I've always blamed heavy momo wheels that my car came with as the cause for my bashing and crashing. Just checked weights and they were only slightly heavier than the Mazda 16 inch.

Hmm that's not saying much, OEM Mazda 16s are pretty heavy - especially the NB8A option wheels, they are heavy as lead.

Charlie Brown · Postby **Charlie Brown** » Sat Dec 03, 2011 7:53 am

zossy1 wrote:
trader wrote:I've always blamed heavy momo wheels that my car came with as the cause for my bashing and crashing. Just checked weights and they were only slightly heavier than the Mazda 16 inch.

Hmm that's not saying much, OEM Mazda 16s are pretty heavy - especially the NB8A option wheels, they are heavy as lead.

NB8A's never had a 16" option wheel. Dealers may have fitted them in the car yard but Mazda AU didn't release a 16" option.

May I suggest you head to Spinning Wheel and get Stu to do a real alignment for you rather than persist with ongoing problems from your present aligner.

RJ45 · Postby **RJ45** » Sat Dec 03, 2011 7:21 pm

This is the bush at the FR Toe adjustment bolt, looks worn to me, but then again this stuff is new to me.

PC030086_FR.JPG

PC030087_FR.JPG

Does it look sufficiently worn to cause alignment issues?

I've also noticed that the driveshaft has made contact with the body on both sides as shown here.

PC030103_Driveshaft contact.JPG

Anyone else seen this?

zossy1 · Postby **zossy1** » Sat Dec 03, 2011 9:43 pm

Charlie Brown wrote:NB8A's never had a 16" option wheel. Dealers may have fitted them in the car yard but Mazda AU didn't release a 16" option.

Hmm was it the NB8Bs? Those super heavy Borbets - I have a set at home that I bought at some stage. I'll post a pic some time, I'm sure they were an option wheel (dealer or factory, IDK).

RJ45 · Postby **RJ45** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 4:25 pm

Just passed 1000K since the PSS9's went in, so I figured any settling would have settled by now :wink:

So yesterday I swung by the mechanics to have them tighten everything in case anything loosened up (wish I had a hoist!).

I was beginning to regret the new suspension due to the harsh ride/jarring that I've noticed for a few weeks now, but while the car was hoisted one of the mechanics immediately noticed 2 missing nuts on a rear wheel :shock:

Unfortunately they just squeezed me in for the tightening at short notice, so I couldn't get them to check the alignment.
But he did give the bushes a good look over and reckons they're fine.

After reading another thread on here, I've decided to go see what the boys at Spinning Wheels and Tyres can do.
Maybe their experience with MX5's might be key.

RJ45 · Postby **RJ45** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 5:28 pm

tommop wrote:Are you sure it isnt a tyre pressure issue? it can feel sloppy when the pressures drop as well. Apologies if this suggestion is far too basic.

I did drop the pressure, to try to help comfort, to about 32 cold, but haven't played too much with it lately.
But that was before suspension was tightened and missing wheel nuts replaced as mentioned in my last post.

What sort of pressure would you suggest for a DD (for now) with stock NB8B 16" wheels?

I hope that driving around too long on the old worn shocks haven't taken a toll on the tyres.
Any idea if that is likely?