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DIY: Lowering Springs Install

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Old Mar 25, 2004 | 05:01 PM
  #26  
XcelR8's Avatar
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BTW...another tread in the parts section for vividracing stated that you should have the car alligned after about a week so the springs have a chance to settle.
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Old Apr 16, 2004 | 05:57 PM
  #27  
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Nothin but praise goes to synthk thanks to this write up I figured out why my front springs didn't settle as well as the back. But thanks to his adive on not tightening the upper control arms i was able to take half an inch off the ride height in less than 30 min. Thanks again synthk
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Old May 10, 2004 | 09:07 AM
  #29  
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To reiterate, make SURE you get your car aligned soon after installing springs. When you change the suspension geometry that much, the toe changes quite a bit, and you can wear out tires VERY quickly. I installed some springs on a buddy's 2nd gen RX-7 once and he didn't bother getting it aligned. He wore a new set of Dunlop SP8000's down to nothing in like 3-4 months.

Not to mention when you take the suspension apart and reassemble it, you change the geometry. Most fasteners on suspension have some wiggle room and slop - you probably won't get it put back in exactly the same position as it used to be.

Dale
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Old Jun 1, 2004 | 06:59 PM
  #30  
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DIY: Spring install

To save space, loading time and band width I'll just put the link up to another version of the spring install. This install was done by the forum's own Sanguine_Dark (AKA: Vivid Test Monkey). Please read carefuly if you are planning to install springs on your own. Any questions regarding the install you can contact me directly or PM the Test Monkey and he'll be happy to help you out.

Espelir Spring Install


Last edited by VividRacing.com; Jun 1, 2004 at 07:03 PM.
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Old Jun 30, 2004 | 08:10 PM
  #31  
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Originally posted by synthtk
Like i said in the 2nd post if anyone with the proper torque specs from a factory service manual or something please chime in
I'll be installing the mazdaspeed springs/ shocks this weekend. All the factory torque specs can be found here.

Sometimes gutentight is too tight. Always follow the torque specs.
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Old Sep 2, 2004 | 12:01 PM
  #32  
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I am going to try installing my Tein-S springs this weekend. But have a question about cutting the bumpstop. Is 1" enough? Has anyone cut more or less?

-Ron
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Old Sep 2, 2004 | 12:16 PM
  #33  
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Go to this thread . He cut 3 inches off.
I didn't cut any off since mine are Mazdaspeed and only lower the car about 0.8 to 1 inch.
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Old Sep 2, 2004 | 12:48 PM
  #34  
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I've done the Tien springs, I would follow there advice, which If I remember correctly is 1'' up front and 3/4'' in the rear. Bens car after a week rides great with no issues.
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Old Sep 2, 2004 | 12:56 PM
  #35  
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.8 in the front 1 in the rear but about 1 inch on both works.
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Old Sep 2, 2004 | 07:59 PM
  #36  
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Originally Posted by brillo
I've done the Tien springs, I would follow there advice, which If I remember correctly is 1'' up front and 3/4'' in the rear. Bens car after a week rides great with no issues.
Thanks, I found the cut sheet at the bottom of the box. I will follow what they have.

Thanks again,

Ron
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Old Oct 29, 2004 | 02:13 PM
  #37  
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Just to add to the post, I installed the Tein Flex suspension on the 8 last night and shot a few photos of the rear install. I appologize for not taking photos of the front. I used my stock jack to lift up the suspension to get the sway bar links out and my larger jack to keep the car lifted. After completion the rear seems to sit higher than the front. I will be raising the front up a little to look even with the rear.
Attached Thumbnails DIY: Lowering Springs Install-rx8-suspension.jpg   DIY: Lowering Springs Install-rx8suspension2.jpg   DIY: Lowering Springs Install-img_7524.jpg  

Last edited by ShowandDriftRX8; Oct 29, 2004 at 02:26 PM.
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Old Oct 30, 2004 | 11:15 AM
  #38  
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It may be just my 8, but the Lower Control arm nut/bolt is a 19mm.

Can anyone else confirm this, like it really matters BTW nice writeup. Nice Coilovers ShowandDrift
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Old Feb 3, 2005 | 03:29 PM
  #39  
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I know this is an old DIY, but pay attention to the front control arm part, and the text about not tightening them while the car is in the air. I didnt :P

Dammit! At least it's easy to fix :D
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Old Feb 11, 2005 | 08:09 AM
  #40  
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I am going to install my tein s techs next week, and had a question. Upon marking the bolt and nut on the rear lower control arm. Do you make a mark just on the bolt and nut? Or do you have to make a mark on part of the lower arm where they would meet(what is the purpose of this step)? Also I suppose you don't have to do this on the front install, since it wasn't stated in the DIY? One more question, why if you completely tighten the upper arm in the front will the car not lower properly? I just wanted to clarify those things before I attempted this DIY

Last edited by xrider; Feb 11, 2005 at 08:12 AM.
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Old Feb 11, 2005 | 08:07 PM
  #41  
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You are extending the line from both the bolt & the nut onto the control arm in order to be able to return it to the exact position it was in before you removed it. a little dab of paint works too.

You do not have to do this on the front.

If you tighten the upper a-arm bolts (19mm) with the suspension hanging, the rubber bushings will be "preloaded" in this position. I got mine finger tight and then took the car for a quick ride around the neiborhood to make sure everything was settled. The bolts are easy to reach with your torque wrench if you turn the wheels full lock. Good luck with your install. It took me about 6-1/2 hours by myself with no air tools. That *#@% spring compresser! I also got a 4 wheel alignment about 2 weeks after the install.

The car looks and drives awesome with H-Techs. Enjoy!
Attached Thumbnails DIY: Lowering Springs Install-dcp_0033.jpg  
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Old Feb 12, 2005 | 01:25 AM
  #42  
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Originally Posted by Low Fly'n 8
I also got a 4 wheel alignment about 2 weeks after the install.
Q about your Alighnment. Did you have the shop Zero out the settings , or did you have them set it back to the stock settings?

Thanks
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Old Feb 12, 2005 | 07:15 AM
  #43  
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Very nice ride low fly'n, thanks for the clarification on my questions, greatly appreciated.
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Old Feb 12, 2005 | 06:51 PM
  #44  
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Check out this thread. Only the toe settings were out of spec on mine.

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ight=alignment
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Old Apr 20, 2005 | 10:54 PM
  #45  
modena's Avatar
Modena
 
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From: Wentzville, MO
Did the spring mod...
Man that rear one were a pain in the ***.
Fronts where no problem..
Pictures are here for those who want to see....
http://www.verlinden-productions.com...X_8/index.html

Now I need new wheels.....
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Old May 28, 2005 | 09:12 PM
  #46  
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Just installed my Tein S-Techs last night and this morning. Huge kudos go to Synthtk for his detailled DIY instructions. They convinced me. See details and pics HERE :D
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Old Jul 1, 2005 | 01:46 AM
  #47  
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Can some one please enlighten me.

Why the need to trim the bum stop? Me got the RB spring, don't the spring itself already lowered the car? or need to trim the bum stop to lower the car?

Thanks
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Old Jul 1, 2005 | 05:41 AM
  #48  
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The factory strut/bumpstop setup is designed for longer springs. When you install shorter springs, the inner distance from the base of the spring to the end of the bumpstop decrease as well. If you do not trim the bumpstop, the suspensions range of motion will decrease. We're only talking about an inch, but that could be enough to create some issues with wheel travel/articulation. Hope that answers your question. :D
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Old Jul 1, 2005 | 02:52 PM
  #49  
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Just remember to disconnect the abs sensors before you do it. Got my springs installed yesterday and they ruptured the speed sensor on drivers side. Dealer said it will cost around $600 to fix cause there is so much equipment involved.
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Old Jul 4, 2005 | 10:32 AM
  #50  
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Originally Posted by MadDashRX8
The factory strut/bumpstop setup is designed for longer springs. When you install shorter springs, the inner distance from the base of the spring to the end of the bumpstop decrease as well. If you do not trim the bumpstop, the suspensions range of motion will decrease. We're only talking about an inch, but that could be enough to create some issues with wheel travel/articulation. Hope that answers your question. :D
Thanks MadDash! That's pretty clear explanations!

Originally Posted by mmats69
Just remember to disconnect the abs sensors before you do it. Got my springs installed yesterday and they ruptured the speed sensor on drivers side. Dealer said it will cost around $600 to fix cause there is so much equipment involved.
Thanks mmats, will take note of the sensors!

Thank you guys!
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