So i parked my car for work today, as i walked back out i noticed my left rear wheel was legitimately tucked into my fender. After dreaming that I was actually really just that low (im stock height), I started to think maybe my shock/strut was shot. I check the right rear and it was about stock height or above.

I parked in a semi downhill spot and it it had a weird angle to it so i figured it was probably just because of that. I backed it out and drove it to a level surface to check it again; the left still seemed lower, but not as much.

When i got home i decided to measure the gap from the top of the wheel to the edge of the fender. I got 4 1/2 in. for the left and 5in for the right. I took my subs out thinking maybe they were situated on the left side and re measured. This time i got 4 1/2in and 4 3/4 in. (I rechecked this over a few times and got these consistently). I also measured the length from the ground to the fender and got just right around 27in for both. (stock wheels and stock size tires).

I know the gap (from top of wheel to fender) is supposed to be 5 1/8 inch in the rear. I was thinking if my shocks/struts were shot i would be sitting a lot lower than relatively a 1/2 inch from stock..

Car has 37k miles is at stock height, stock tires, stock wheels, and has never been on springs or coils. So why would they be uneven and slightly lower than stock height? Also, my car seems very stiff, especially in the rear but it always has so i didnt really think much of it until now.

I would hate it if they were shot and i had to buy coilovers....

Thanks for the help fellow members!

 

You need coilovers...

Anyway, if your suspension is stock height, then i guess your strut is shot...

 

Have you lifted or raised your rear and bother looking under at your struts?

 

It's a common problem, though most ppl don't notice. It may come from differences in the "pre-untensioning" of the bushing before the bolts were tightened, gas charge in the shocks, or spring sagging. A quick fix is here: https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-raise-rear-ride-height-stiffen-rear-springs-$30-241655/

Since mine was lower in the right rear than the left, I put three rubber segments on that side and two on the other, which evened it out considerably.