Coilovers or Spring/Shock?

pebbles22 · Postby **pebbles22** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 2:05 am

Hey, I currently have a 1990 NA MX5 with KYB AGX/ King springs, I'm finding that the ride height is higher at the rear and higher on the left side, plus the handling isnt that great. Now im just trying to consider my options, should i go for some yellowspeed or BC coilovers, get a different shock/spring combination or get different springs. I know most people would suggest the coilovers because of all the adjustability however im concerned about getting defected as i dont have any stock shock/springs to swap them out with to clear the defect. Thanks

davekmoore · Postby **davekmoore** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 8:13 am

Check for damage to other suspension components. Check condition of your 24 year old bushes. Then consider what to do with the springs/shockers. Not sure whether coilovers are defectable in their own right but you're only likely to be pulled for them if they're looooow. Their adjustability really is a good thing, especially if you're ever going to track your car.

Charlie Brown · Postby **Charlie Brown** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 1:26 pm

pebbles22 wrote:.... plus the handling isnt that great.

A good four wheel alignment will fix this.

How old are the tyres? Old tyres also equal poor handling.

As for the ride height, have you had a look to see if the shocks have been changed from the originals? Most shocks will only last about 80,000 kilometre. This with sagging springs is the most common cause of uneven ride height.

If you aren't going to regularly track your car then stay away from coilovers, especially the cheap ones. There has been plenty written on this Forum about the harsh ride characteristics of coilovers, do some research. Don't be mislead into thinking that you will get a nice smooth ride by going down the coilover path.

sailaholic · Postby **sailaholic** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 7:33 pm

Kings used to make springs in left and right for memory..... Right side was a touch longer to compensate for drivers weight.

Shouldn't really be anything wrong with what you have unless the are old and tired? Do you know how old they are?

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pebbles22 · Postby **pebbles22** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 8:40 pm

Yeh i will give the bushings a proper check, the tyres are essentially brand new and the shocks were only put on in 2010. I took it to a suspension place today to let them have a look, they were saying that everything was sitting normal, and the only reason it looks off is due to the shape of the guard, the only suggestion they could offer was compressing the springs.

M1474 · Postby **M1474** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 9:08 pm

Find a better shop!

sailaholic · Postby **sailaholic** » Tue Sep 23, 2014 8:35 pm

M1474 wrote:Find a better shop!

Not necessarily, they could be completely right if the guard is a bit odd.

Measure ground to chassis rail to ground and hub to guard. See if the the differences in each corner are the same in each set of measurements.

If not the chassis might be level and it's just wheel gap that's wrong.

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