I'm looking for guidance for my 2010 RX-8 GT rear suspension that need both rear struts replaced due to leakage. I use the car mainly for weekend spirited driving on curvy backroads. Should I replace the current stock rear strut suspension pair with either:

(1) OEM replacement (like-for-like) strut
Rear struts - will the F190 work on my Series 2 GT
F190-28-700A (I think they quoted $204/each at dealer)
F197-28-700A R3 Bilstein

(2) coilovers
which available option delivers non-track, spirited driving performance = current?

 

Here are online OEM choices and the cost (surprised the dealer is so high vs. the online price for the non R3 option):

 

Yeah, online prices are better... If the shipping doesn't murder you and if you can deal with the potential wait. I would go local dealer since you don't pay shipping and it's a lot faster.

I recently put a set of Bilstein B6 on my Mazdaspeed3 all around and I am pretty happy with them as a spirited daily driver set, but a set for the RX-8 seems like it will be difficult to find nowadays. Some vendors still seem to have leftover stocks, though. If you aren't lowering, personally I wouldn't bother with coilovers, and even then, you can get lowering springs and shocks for that purpose.

 

per your post in the other thread about Koni nixing the S2 version, I’d look for a set of S1 rear springs combined with the S1 Koni Orange shocks. The front springs are the same. Or look for a set of Mazdaspeed lowering springs on same. Those might have to be imported from JP though like I and some others did. Hard to find in here North America.

Don’t think I have any more OE springs, but will take a look.
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Anyone else have any input into an RX-8 Series 2 rear suspension option that's available today and tested by members?
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I'm looking for guidance for my 2010 RX-8 GT rear suspension that need both rear struts replaced due to leakage. I use the car mainly for weekend spirited driving on curvy backroads. Should I replace the current stock rear strut suspension pair with either:

(1) OEM replacement (like-for-like) strut
Rear struts - will the F190 work on my Series 2 GT
F190-28-700A (I think they quoted $204/each at dealer)
F197-28-700A R3 Bilstein

(2) coilovers
which available option delivers non-track, spirited driving performance = current?

 

I suggest looking into some affordable coilover options. I am currently running Godspeed Mono SS on my S2 RX-8 and I like them a lot. I have run these Mono SS coilovers on multiple cars in the past (R53 Mini Cooper S JCW, R60 Mini Countryman S, E82 BMW 128i, and S2 RX-8), and have great success with Godspeed so far. I have also used different coilover brands with less success than the Mono SS (ISC track coilvers on a E36 M3, Silvers on a F15 BMW X5, Yonaka on a NA Miata). Last I checked the Godspeed Mono SS coilovers are $675 shipped on eBay.

I ran Tokico shocks with Tein S-Tech springs on my previous RX-8 (2004 model that saw track use), and they were pretty decent but I prefer the coilovers. Just keep in mind that coilovers are more involved for installation as you need to adjust alignment with a ride height change.

 

I would go stock oem suspenison has been great in my opinion

 

Ohlins Ohlins Ohlins... but, the price is about to jump up Feb 1st. We just posted a thread... we have just the last of the 2023 inventory... if you're doing suspension, now is the time www.sakebombgarage.com/rx8/suspension/

 

Thanks for all of the input, RX8club!

 

Not sure if you've seen this thread but if the option were available to me at the time, I would've definitely gone this route instead of Ohlins. Looks like a great dual purpose setup. IME, I used to be in the 'I'm ghey for ohlins' club but after some personal experience and being able to drive some other setups, I can say that (while a great product) they are way over-rated and take advantage 'enthusiasts' through marketing just like jdm parts, etc. YMMV.

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-racing-...lovers-275256/

 

Received my S2 rear dampers (struts) from MazdaSwag.com using part F190 28 700A. Is there any way for me to tell who made them and when? Serial # are MB2 181032...385 and KJ3 31102....007 for the two that were shipped from Mazda central parts in two shipments (one arrived damaged). MazdaSwag people were great to work with.

Again thanks RX8club members for guiding me on this work.

@ASH8

 

The OE shocks were likely made by KYB or GAB Tokiko; the typical suppliers for Mazda.

I still insist, if you can pull it off, that S1 aftermarket shocks with a set of Mazdaspeed springs, are going to be an extremely good S2 conversion combination.
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Thanks. Should I be concerned the the shock rests at an angle after reassembly? After reinstalling the new shock/damper into the coil with the correct orientation to the mounting post and shock tower that "at rest" the shock/damper orients at an angle to the upper spring seat (as shown)?

 

no, something is not correct on that, or at least I can never recall ever seeing one that wasn’t centered.

are you sure the mount bushing assembly at the top is installed correctly?

did you closely compare the new shock with the OE one?
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I installed it anyway - after using a floor hydraulic jack to slowly move the shock in line with the hub's mounting post, and the tapping the shock carefully into place, relieving the lift pressure - the shock is now centered. I did not attach the lower trunk tower mounting bolts for this reason until after the shock was mounted on the lower post - everything now is straight. I hope this is right.

 

I did and the shock part numbers match and I had taken disassembly pics to ensure my reassembly matched my pics and the S2 manual and a few pics online. I think the old one (which was shot) was off-center from the pic I took for alignment of the spring/collar, etc. Take a look

 

part of the issue is that it’s missing the rubber isolator seat (28-032 in the diagram) between the spring and shock hat

they’re only $11 each from the dealer; parts info below.

Also, did you replace the bump stops? Because I see a busted up one laying there in the pic. Those have an integral washer that set the top of the shaft against the mount bushing at the top of the shock hat. If that’s not in there then this is likely why it’s off center. In that squared in box you need those parts in there. Sometimes those lower three pieces might all stick together.

It looks to me like you need to consider redoing these. Eventually that spring grinding directly against the shock mount hat is going to make noises.



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looks like maybe the rubber spring seat is in, but I’m concluding that something at the top of the mount isn’t assembled properly. It can’t really be off-center like that if it is. When I say off center, you can clearly see that the new one is all the way over to the top hat mount. Way more than the old one.
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Thank you - I did purchase 2 new bump stops 28-11B (F152-28-1A1A) and the existing rubber rubber isolator seat (28-032) and isolator 28-003 were in great shape. The spacer 34A02 with the conical side (tapered) was mounted in the correct direction to the shock to fit with the shock's tapered stem and the whole assembly was assembled per your diagram.

I'll disassemble the strut and redo everything to see if it better lines up; if not I'll purchase those rubber isolator seat (28-032)

 

FWIW my 2007 OEM were Tokico.

 

We've got ONE set of Ohlins DFV left in stock at 2023 pricing - if you guys are going to upgrade your suspension (not the cheap option) but it's one of the best. Contact us info@sakebombgarage.com for a discount code.

https://www.sakebombgarage.com/ohlin...oilovers-rx-8/

 

that’s correct for the non-Bilstein shocks, it was my bad memory until reading your post and then remembering/recognizing my error.
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Both rear dampers are in and the 2010 RX-8 Series 2 (Series II) is back together and drives great. Rear ride height was measured as 15.4 and 15,3" on the LH and RH sides with the rear link set back to their previous adjustment. The RH damper installed in the coil still was off center taken out of the vehicle and a little better reassembled. Boy does she drive better than ever with the stock F190-28-700A damper (shock). Thank you again for all the input. I'll post the How To that I assembled later. Had a nice 30 mi drive (to get ice cream at a creamery) to celebrate. Now that I'm back home - I'm having a Cloud Candy, a New England IPA (NEIPA) from Flying Squirrel Brewery in Waltham.