PistolPete-RX8

Well I just finished the rear springs on my car and now the car sits higher than stock. Instead of lowering the car it raised it up. Now the rear has about a 35" gap. What could this be?

Thanks,
Pete

PistolPete-RX8

Sorry meant to type 3.5" gap.

Fanman

If you just finished the install, let the car settle for a few days. That might help. Either that or drop a couple dozen bricks into your trunk. JK. What type of springs did you get and why only the rear ones ?

PistolPete-RX8

I got the S-techs and so far only installed the rears. I found a link stating I need to loosen the upper A frame inner ends and shock lower bolt and let the car settle then tighten everything up. I'm gonna go try that.

RonD-NM

I installed the S-techs over a week ago. It does take some time for them to settle so give it some time. Or go over some speed bumps with a trunk load of bricks

PistolPete-RX8

RonD- how long did it take for them to settle? When you installed them did it actually raise the car up in the rear?

PistolPete-RX8

Here are the before and after pics

Before is the one that is lower than after

RonD-NM

It took 6 days. It did not raise on me after install and I cut my stop at about 1".

Did you cut the rubber stop?

PistolPete-RX8

I did cut the stop. I finished the rest of the car and only finger tightened all the bolts. The car has def. dropped quite a bit. I'm going to let it sit till tomorrow evening and then I'll torque everything down. It def. looks much better a few hours later. I was really nervous when I first finished the rear.

I ended up stripping the swaybar endlink so hopefully I'll be able to rethread it tomorrow, if I can find a tap. Other than that it was def. not a fun day. I usually enjoy working on my cars but for some reason today wasn't one of those days.

Pete

brothervoodoo

Yep, that should be the problem. RB also recommends that you put a "load" on the car before you fully torque it to spec... I few us learned the hard way after installing a set of springs without having the instuctions.

As needed do cut the bump stops per your spring instructions, though I don't see that as the problem to you particular issue.

IZoomZoomI

yeah my rear is actually higher now too. Had mine installed for over three months already. The front is fine, funny though did another spring install for another forum member and he had the same type of effect. I think I might just grab some coilovers instead

IZoomZoomI

also I realized some 8's out there have lower rear ends (to the point of no gap) and some others have a good gap btwn the tire and the fender. Anyone notice this too?

Relentless

Did you put the shorter springs in the back or the longer ones?

slavearm

I was going to ask the same thing, but well... bleh.

IZoomZoomI

Tein springs are marked unless i'm mistaken doesn't the 'F' infront of the numbers on the springs mean Front and the 'R' mean rear? So if thats the case its pretty hard to get it wrong.

PistolPete-RX8

I put the longer springs in the rear of the car. These springs had the letter "r" on them so that should stand for rear. I finger tightened the necessary components and let the car sit for 24 hours. I tighened everything up tonight and torqued it all to spec and the car sits perfectly now. I took it for a spin and the ride quality is still (so far anyways) great! The car looks so much better. Thanks for everyones help.

As for the swaybar endlink I was able to just buy a new bolt and rethread it on. I snapped a bolt on the left side as well when the head sheared right off. I had to drill it out and get a new bolt. Other than that the car is now finally back together and just waiting for an alignment.

Thanks again for your help. I'll post pics tomorrow.

Pistol

Relentless

It's funny that you say that because I think somebody else had the same problem. I could be mistaken, but I think that the longer springs usually go in the front.

Jeffjett

**** all that, I paid a tire shop $125.00 to put on my springs. Best money I have spent in awhile.

ZMNRX8

When me an my buddy did mine the rear did the same thing and I was a little ticked! But, once I moved the car a couple feet my buddy was watching it and all the sudden I hear him say "there it goes" and it sunk down like it was supposed to. Also I must say I also enjoy working on my car myself but that spring install was definitely not that enjoyable, it was a little more difficult than I thought it would be!

Mr M

You can't judge ride height without driving the car first.
All the other advice here is very valid.
Is it not possible that some spring kits intentionally raise the rear to enhance oversteer? What do the specs for your springs say?

PistolPete-RX8

I agree about doing the work myself. It is so much more gratifying than paying someone to do it for me. Plus, with my experience I do a better job during the install than paying someone else. I've done several suspension jobs but this one was def. the worst. I guess had it actually had some directions it would have been easy.

Nothing compared to installing a supercharger on a Cobra though. That was a lot of work! Next to that was installing one on a Miata.