Hey,
I was hoping someone could help me understand what exactly needs to be changed on my '04 RX8 6spd.

This past summer I've done a bunch of long drives with lots of luggage in the rear, so I'm surmising that these roadtrips have permanently reduced my shocks' springiness. With only three people in my car, the rear lowers at least an inch or two. If I have all four seats filled, the shocks are basically fulled compressed and the ride is absolutely awful. Throw in some luggage in the trunk and it becomes a headache very quickly.

Anyways, is this just a springs problem? If I buy new ones and replace my rear shocks, should the problem go away?

Thanks for your help,
John

 

Springs determine ride height. Shocks control the bump and rebound of the car. They control the car so it's not just bouncing along on springs. So a new set of springs might solve your issue.

 

Thanks for clearing up my terminology. I always thought shocks and springs were the same thing :p

So the springs lessen the "shock" of going over bumps, the "shocks" dampen the oscillations that occur from the springs rebounding. Gotcha.

Cheers

 

BTW, would my '04 6spd be considered the normal suspension or sport? I do not have TCS/DSC.

 

depends if you have the sport package, or the touring/ Grand Touring model (wikipidia for differences...)

 

would it be okay if I bought springs that were taken off of a sport suspension if I have a normal suspension?