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Too Much Ride Height (higher than original)

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Old 04-04-2015, 06:30 AM
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Too Much Ride Height (higher than original)

I have an 04 RX-8 Base model with 6spd and the front ride height appears too excessive. Even the rear ride height seems excessive to me. In the front, I can get four fingers in between the front tire and the fender on the left side and nearly five on the right side. I pulled both front wheels and nothing appears to be bent or altered in any way. The car was aligned before I purchased it and based on the paperwork that I have, the alignment is good all around. I checked the springs for breaks or bends. Both control arms appear to be straight and not bent in any way. The struts seem fine and the car handles beautifully and steering response is instantaneous. What could be causing the ride height to be much higher than stock? Here are some pics. I can pull the wheels and get more pics if need be. Just took these this morning when I got off of work:

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The only thing I have to compare it to is my very first RX-8. It was an 05 Sport:

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Current RX-8:

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Old 04-27-2015, 08:21 AM
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Looks stock to me. They seem to be just monster trucks from the factory :/
Old 04-27-2015, 10:34 AM
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It looks a little high but without knowing if the suspension was changed at some point it is hard to say. Are you sure the shock and springs are stock? Check the shocks and make sure they are OEM Tokico's and check the colored dots on the springs to make sure they are correct front to rear for the Sport suspension.
Old 04-27-2015, 11:49 AM
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I checked and all four corners have the stock black Tokico struts with the red tag. The springs are black original springs. I half think that the rear struts are bag causing the rear to sag and the front to raise. Sometimes I notice that the rear end is sitting very low. It has its good days and bad. Probably couldn't hurt to replace the struts.
Old 04-27-2015, 12:05 PM
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But what color dots are on the springs? The stock suspension could have easily been swapped at some point and the springs mixed up or non Sport springs could have been put on. lot's could have happened over the years.
Old 05-10-2015, 12:04 PM
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I'll pull the wheels and check the springs and see what's going on with the number of dots on each and report back.
Old 05-10-2015, 02:44 PM
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Not the number of dots, the colors.
Old 05-10-2015, 06:33 PM
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Has the car been elevated off of its wheels for an extended period of time?
Old 05-10-2015, 09:44 PM
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my front end was elevated. Turned out that the alignment bushings were seized...
Once replaced the height dropped to normal.
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