Damn mazdaspeed RB Spring!

[Silver Bullet]

I have installed as set of racing beat from a MSP to a P5. Here is my problem, since the rear strut are different on the MSP, the spring is not long enough to be seated properly in the lower plate. (notcool)

To get the preload I need, I have turn it half a turn in the lower plate. Now I am sure that it wont get loose in the top plate and fall off or clunk. As it is placed it is impossible for the spring to get off if you raise the car to the maximum extend of the strut. I am thinking of bolting a steel cube of 1 sq.cm to the end of the spring to secure it in place in the lower plate. Plus maybe a strap on the spring to make 300% sure it wont move. (mj)

I know it is a crappy set-up but I'm stuck with it. (encourage

Tell me what you think, opinion from people with the same set up are really welcome! (help)

Thank you all

 

[Mr. 4500 RPM]

buy aftermarket struts?

 

[Silver Bullet]

buy aftermarket struts?

Wont work with those spring either, after market strut are mecanicaly made the same as the stock one (I mean the lower plate).

 

[khaosman]

Ack, don't say that! Now I'm scared to put my RBs in. Solution: buy MSP struts???

 

[Pheonix]

Ack, don't say that! Now I'm scared to put my RBs in. Solution: buy MSP struts???

and endlinks, sport ones i think they're called, unless the P5 has them allready.
i learned the hard way, nice notch in my control arm. from rubbing

 

[Silver Bullet]

bump for answer (band2)

 

[viVid]

I had RB springs from a MSP on my P5 for about a year and had no problems...

edit: on OEM struts

 

[Silver Bullet]

I took some mesurement on my friend's MSP, and the plate on the rear strut is not at the same height it is 3/4" higher that on all other protege. So I decided to order new rear RB spring, so in the end I should have ordered it all at once.

I talk to RB and they say that they didn't manufactured the part for the production car, mazda took their result and manufactured their own part, and modified it if they wanted. So that is the reason why the rear strut on the MSP is not as it was originaly design.

I will let you know how it turn out with the new rear spring.

 

[mavespeed]

I have a MSP, stock tokicos w/ H&R springs, the rear is higher than perhaps it should be so it makes sense to me that the rear shocks are a different design than regular protege shocks, the 3/4" difference may be to accomodate the taller 215-45-17 tire size, my concern is that my rear springs are under load all the time and that cars rump looks unnaturally high, I wonder if tokico illuminas to fit a protege would rub on the MSPs' taller tire? If you go with the MSP set up go all the way, struts and springs are designed for each other, the racingbeat stuff coud work with the the mazdaspeed stock stuff, the difference is subtle, but it was engineered on the stock protege suspension, likewise the shorter MSP rear springs won't work on regular protege rear shocks...