NB Suspension "too hard"

[dewy]

Have recently purchased a NB8A '98 which to the best of my knowledge is all factory. However the rear of the car rides VERY firm and also sits fairly low which leads me to believe it may be pretty sad. When riding over a bump the car thuds with a really heavy/loud smack and can often bottom out when riding over crests on the road. The firmness of the ride is getting a little painful on my back too. I'm curious to know if anyone would be able to diagnose with the little information provided what is wrong. I'm located in Newcastle if anyone around the place would be open to the idea of having a peek at the car for me and giving their input.

Also, on the topic of replacing the dampeners if necessary, why does one want/need "adjustable" features. Considering I like the ride height I have at the moment if I need to replace things I think I'll be putting in some lowered suspension (maybe 20mm from standard) to keep me around (or a little higher) than were I'm sitting at the moment and was looking at shox.com for new dampeners but their listings confuse me, is it really just different brands offering the same things or??

How the car currently sits, sorry about the fancyfied picture but its all I have online at the moment:

[Old Dude]

I have the standard set up NB8B and mine rides fine so maybe your shocks are a little tired

cheers
Dale

[NitroDann]

I call lowered and hitting bump stops.

Dann

[deviant]

I call lowered and hitting bump stops.

Dann

I call lowering springs on stock shocks that are now flogged so it sits on the bumps stops.

Dewy...what are your plans for the future of the car? Road use only or will you do any track work?

[Steampunk]

... why does one want/need "adjustable" features.

If you mean adjustable height, then short answer is for track and show. Dampers with adjustable damping are useful for matching the damping rate to the springs and also to accomodate for track & street, ie. hard for more control on the track, soft for compliance on the street.

As mentioned, if it's a crashing ride, then your dampers are worn and/or springs are cut short.

BTW, glad you use the term "damper" instead of "shock absorber"

[dewy]

... why does one want/need "adjustable" features.

\Dampers with adjustable damping are useful for matching the damping rate to the springs and also to accomodate for track & street, ie. hard for more control on the track, soft for compliance on the street.

This is pretty much what I meant, but do I really need to change this often. I do plan to see a track, but this is my daily and primarily will be used for that, I don't want to spend money today to help me get an extra second or two the one or two times every I'm going to be able to visit a track.

I have ordered new dampeners and springs from shox, but I am slightly fearing they are going to bail and try to charge me more for shipping but I'll see what happens. Ordered the "~32mm" lowering ones so I assume by everyones guesstimation here of the car already being lowered that I'll be getting a Similiar/slightly higher result when i put the new springs in which is what I hoped for.

Thank you to all that replied

[NitroDann]

Havnt noticed you around, what suburb are you from?

Coming to the local meetups?

Dann

[Lokiel]

:
I have ordered new dampeners and springs from shox, but I am slightly fearing they are going to bail and try to charge me more for shipping but I'll see what happens. Ordered the "~32mm" lowering ones so I assume by everyones guesstimation here of the car already being lowered that I'll be getting a Similiar/slightly higher result when i put the new springs in which is what I hoped for.
:

You're going to wet them to soften them up?

- common mistake, "dampeners" wet stuff, "dampers" deaden/restrain/depress stuff (eg. for shocks, they dissipate energy).

Seriously though, I suspect that you'd be happier with height-adjustable coilovers with damping control, that way you can play with them to achieve the DD ride you're happy with and adjust the damping for track days or spirited weekend driving.

[deviant]

I think coilovers would be way over the top for someone looking for a 30mm drop and then only hitting the track a handful of times a year.

Something like a Koni sport kit that has simple 4 stop damping adjustment and comes with a set of springs that match the shocks is ideal.

[rascal]

Ordered the "~32mm" lowering ones so I assume by everyones guesstimation here of the car already being lowered that I'll be getting a Similiar/slightly higher result when i put the new springs in which is what I hoped for.

As a reference to the result you may end up with, this was my NB8A with std height springs.

stock_height.JPG

[dewy]

Ordered the "~32mm" lowering ones so I assume by everyones guesstimation here of the car already being lowered that I'll be getting a Similiar/slightly higher result when i put the new springs in which is what I hoped for.

As a reference to the result you may end up with, this was my NB8A with std height springs.

stock_height.JPG

Thanks, shows that defiantly something is a little lower than it should be in here.

Yeah I appreciate the suggestions for the Coilovers but I honestly believe they are just too much up keep and back from my lancer days too many people were having to rebuild them at high costs etc so I just want something simple that is proven. The koni streets I'm assuming are similar to OE and lowered springs would bring me between my current heigh and rascals so it should be sweet.

[dewy]

Havnt noticed you around, what suburb are you from?

Coming to the local meetups?

Dann

From out Edgeworth way mate

[noobee]

I have a set stock nb springs here you could try, off a car that originally had these wheels

99-15[1].jpg

http://www.miata.net/faq/wheel_weights.html suggests that they are 99-02(america).
springs are colour coded
2 red dots..308mm free length
1 purple dot ....337mm free length
Mick

[hks_kansei]

I have a set stock nb springs here you could try, off a car that originally had these wheels

99-15[1].jpg

http://www.miata.net/faq/wheel_weights.html suggests that they are 99-02(america).
springs are colour coded
2 red dots..308mm free length
1 purple dot ....337mm free length
Mick

Those wheels are from the NB8A

Australian build 1998 to early 2000

[davekmoore]

Have recently purchased a NB8A '98 which to the best of my knowledge is all factory. However the rear of the car rides VERY firm and also sits fairly low which leads me to believe it may be pretty sad. When riding over a bump the car thuds with a really heavy/loud smack and can often bottom out when riding over crests on the road. The firmness of the ride is getting a little painful on my back too. I'm curious to know if anyone would be able to diagnose with the little information provided what is wrong. I'm located in Newcastle if anyone around the place would be open to the idea of having a peek at the car for me and giving their input.

Also, on the topic of replacing the dampeners if necessary, why does one want/need "adjustable" features. Considering I like the ride height I have at the moment if I need to replace things I think I'll be putting in some lowered suspension (maybe 20mm from standard) to keep me around (or a little higher) than were I'm sitting at the moment and was looking at shox.com for new dampeners but their listings confuse me, is it really just different brands offering the same things or??

How the car currently sits, sorry about the fancyfied picture but its all I have online at the moment:

Looks low, especially at the rear. So either some stuff worn out or it's lowered. Or both. Maybe bump stops also fubared?