what do I need to know about lowering my car?

[BANANA]

Hey guys, I looked through the how too section but didn't see any threads about installing springs or struts. I have a basic understanding of what to do.. but since ill be doing this alone I don't want to SOL by making an noobish mistake.

I recently bought a set of msp struts and springs off of Scratch. I assume they will fit my P5? what tools will I need ( size socket, impact wrench, spring compressor?... )

What kind of fitment issues I might have with my current tires 215/47/17 with +55 offset?


and lastly, any miscellaneous advice/ pics from your installs.

(2thumbs)

 

[dacquesta1]

U need a spring compressor and a 14 socket and a 17, 18? And 19 socket also a 17 wrench. Deepwell preferred

 

[ScratchNSniff]

You will have no fitment issues...pretty easy...undo bolts and put it in...you will need a compressor to compress the spring on one of them since we took out the tophat bolt to get it back on...

 

[yangsui]

Here's a very detailed how-to for the sedan:
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123660197

Here's another one for the P5:
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123674157

Piece of cake...if nothing is rusted or seized. Good luck!

 

[02.5MP5]

sometimes endlinks are rusted and wont move...i had to cut my endlinks front and back. i soaked them in pb blaster and used an airgun with a allen key on the opposite side and still nothing... itll be easy if you dont run into that problem. good luck!!

 

[nate0123]

sometimes endlinks are rusted and wont move...i had to cut my endlinks front and back. i soaked them in pb blaster and used an airgun with a allen key on the opposite side and still nothing... itll be easy if you dont run into that problem. good luck!!

Rear endlinks I cut off. Fronts was able to swap the spring without removing the endlink. On my protege of course.

 

[02.5MP5]

Rear endlinks I cut off. Fronts was able to swap the spring without removing the endlink. On my protege of course.

my wouldnt move a bit!!! i used an air compressor and everything. i got tired of it and just cut the endlinks..it handles like a boat, but its a daily driver ha.

 

[dacquesta1]

endlinks are dirt cheap...christ even at autozone they are 25/ea..rockauto you can get them for like 13/ea

 

[Sir Nuke]

It might be a NO BRAINER for some folks, but just remember to have the front end aligned afterwards.

 

[SpeedToBleed]

Will it need a camber adjustment? Specifically if I have aftermarket wheels?

 

[mountjonas]

Sir Nuke!!!!!!!!!

 

[Delerious]

I know this really isn't the thread for it, but for installing coilovers, I'm curious which will work, if they need to be p5 specific or what. Perhaps there's a how to on it I'm not seeing?

 

[BANANA]

OK so my end links are seized. and the strut Ive got has an end-link bolt already in it that was cut off because it was seized. how do i get them out once i cut the end link off??