Silver Ecstasy
Member
- :
- 11 MS3 Sport
I bought these earlier this summer, anticipating this as something i'd install next summer. Well, I can't have a set of parts just staring at me! So we decided to attempt this, especially after buying a new air compressor and air tools.
For those who don't know, the MAZDASPEED Lowering Springs are progressive springs rather than linear springs. Infact, they're considered the same as the Eibach ProKit springs. Being Progressive will mean that they will actually ride a little better while still being able to perform harder cornering better than stock.
A picture for comparison of the rear springs:
The kit also comes with camber links for correction in rear alignment, but those were unfortunately not installed. I will install those later once I have access to a lift at my dad's shop.
Here's some before and after shots (they may not show a whole lot of improvement yet - the car hadn't moved, and the springs probably hadn't even settled at all. There was less room for the jack to come out from underneath the rockers, that's for sure.)
(pictures were brightened for more accurate portrayal of wheel gap)
BEFORE - REAR
AFTER - REAR
BEFORE - FRONT
AFTER - FRONT
I had some help from a more experienced local MI mazdaspeeder (Mazdaspeedster3). A couple PITA's we experienced:
-Endlink stuck (driver's side endlink bolt is totally stuck - WILL NOT come off, so i'm stuck buying a new one now)
-Trying to figure out which way the rear springs go (super compressed side up towards the top? Or bottom?)
-Realizing my exhaust leak is still there from my MSCBE -- there's soot near the stupid clamp involved in the install. Hasn't caused a problem though.
-Watching Bill tirelessly hammer away at my front steering knuckles (that took forever)
-HATING KOBALT AIR TOOLS (we seriously got screwed with a ****** up impact wrench that fought us the entire time. Made using the impact wrench WAY harder than it needed to. It would just vent air through the exhaust of the impact gun, rather than torque the living hell out of the spring compressor bolts. Took some serious patience and coaxing...what a joke!)
-Trying to properly line up the front springs then uncompress them and they uncompress wrong (top hat not lining up properly.)
Here's a question for those who have done this install before:
On the rear springs, MAZDASPEED is stamped on each spring. Facing upright, the spring has the tighter coils up top and the lighter coils on the bottom. Is this the proper way to install these springs? With the fronts, you can't screw it up. Small top, big bottom of the spring, it'll only fit one way. We installed them so they're facing upright, which positioned the spring with the more stretched coils towards the bottom, and the closely packed coils up top. Is this correct??
Otherwise, this really truely was a great mod. It really balanced the car out and felt "even". Steering felt more direct and precise rather than a bit of float involved. The car was flat and secure. I love it!
For those who don't know, the MAZDASPEED Lowering Springs are progressive springs rather than linear springs. Infact, they're considered the same as the Eibach ProKit springs. Being Progressive will mean that they will actually ride a little better while still being able to perform harder cornering better than stock.
A picture for comparison of the rear springs:
The kit also comes with camber links for correction in rear alignment, but those were unfortunately not installed. I will install those later once I have access to a lift at my dad's shop.
Here's some before and after shots (they may not show a whole lot of improvement yet - the car hadn't moved, and the springs probably hadn't even settled at all. There was less room for the jack to come out from underneath the rockers, that's for sure.)
(pictures were brightened for more accurate portrayal of wheel gap)
BEFORE - REAR
AFTER - REAR
BEFORE - FRONT
AFTER - FRONT
I had some help from a more experienced local MI mazdaspeeder (Mazdaspeedster3). A couple PITA's we experienced:
-Endlink stuck (driver's side endlink bolt is totally stuck - WILL NOT come off, so i'm stuck buying a new one now)
-Trying to figure out which way the rear springs go (super compressed side up towards the top? Or bottom?)
-Realizing my exhaust leak is still there from my MSCBE -- there's soot near the stupid clamp involved in the install. Hasn't caused a problem though.
-Watching Bill tirelessly hammer away at my front steering knuckles (that took forever)
-HATING KOBALT AIR TOOLS (we seriously got screwed with a ****** up impact wrench that fought us the entire time. Made using the impact wrench WAY harder than it needed to. It would just vent air through the exhaust of the impact gun, rather than torque the living hell out of the spring compressor bolts. Took some serious patience and coaxing...what a joke!)
-Trying to properly line up the front springs then uncompress them and they uncompress wrong (top hat not lining up properly.)
Here's a question for those who have done this install before:
On the rear springs, MAZDASPEED is stamped on each spring. Facing upright, the spring has the tighter coils up top and the lighter coils on the bottom. Is this the proper way to install these springs? With the fronts, you can't screw it up. Small top, big bottom of the spring, it'll only fit one way. We installed them so they're facing upright, which positioned the spring with the more stretched coils towards the bottom, and the closely packed coils up top. Is this correct??
Otherwise, this really truely was a great mod. It really balanced the car out and felt "even". Steering felt more direct and precise rather than a bit of float involved. The car was flat and secure. I love it!
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