anyone have a stock suspension with just the RB springs. how are they as far as improvemet in performance? Im thinking of getting those, till i decide whether I want the full MS spring/shock combo/

 

i did this and like it. only a 20% rate increase and 1/2" drop so the stock shocks work fine. the big reason i did it was to get rid of the progressive rate springs- dont like those at all. the floaty feeling went away, and the car is less prone to bouncing off the bump stops.

james

 

I know 3 other members with rb springs (RB sways too), and they are very happy.

 

the front and rear sways with front endlinks as well. Significant improvement!

RB has a set of "slightly used' springs in their bargin bin.
If all you want are the springs, it would be a good price as the other discounts come with the complete package.

http://www.racingbeat.com/FRmazda4.htm

Just click on bargin bin

 

thanks! im going to definatly look into getting the entire kit (springs + sways)

 

I have the suspension kit (F/R Sway Bars & Springs) and it is great. Not rough at all. Substantial handling improvement. The steering is almost telepathic now. If you are interested in getting the suspension package go directly to their website (www.racingbeat.com) as they have a discounted package on there.

 

Just ordered some and asked about the "used" spring in the bargain bin...

They were sold at 7stock.

Oh, I also got the endlinks as well and will be installing all this together. Spoke with my Mazda service manager and he was real cool with racingbeat stuff, so that was a big factor for me.

 

The ride is a little bit bumpier with the RB springs (pretty obvious, since they're stiffer than stock...), but it definitely holds the road much better as well. No more feeling like I'm sliding outward on rough interchange ramps. Also, the car seems to "squat" back a little more under hard acceleration (which I wouldn't really have expected with the C.G. dropping, although it's kind of a fun feeling, and doesn't hurt anything on a RWD)

I still need to get the car in for re-alignment, though. the front seems pretty much fine, but the rear wheels picked up a little bit of negative camber, and I'd like to deal with that before I have too much funky tire wear.

I'll also join everyone else who reccomended the sways along with the springs, cornering is much more responsive. If you're getting the sways, though, you'd best get both bars. I drove for a week between changing out the front end and changing out the rear end, and with just the front kit installed, it steers like a FWD.

 

what is the rate difference front and rear for the sways? the car feels like it has enough bar for street driving to me though. the stock springs definitely felt floaty at high speed over big bumps, and would crash down onto the bump stops, scary.

james

 

if it squats more under acceleration, how is the dive under braking w/ RB?

 

I had the RB springs installed on mine, and I really like the ride with them.
I bought them from their bargain-bin. :D

But can anyone confirm it's impossible to mount the rear springs on the front of the car, and vice-versa ?
I ask, because I noticed that the rear of the car was damn low (i.e. there is 3/4" left between the tire and the rear arch, car empty... I can barely put my hand in between...)
Is there any way to tune suspension height, or have the springs gone bad ?

I attached a picture. Do you think it's too low ?