Mazdaspeed or H&R lowering spring users..please chime in

[spdjnke]

Hey all,

So I was wondering for those of you using H&R springs that was designated for the MS3, how many of you installed SPC Adjustable rear camber links? is it worth it or do you guys just live without it??

I'm also curious to know why Mazdaspeed lowering springs comes with them but they are not adjustable why wouldn't the stock ones work?? what about the Mazdaspeed coilovers, they too do NOT come with camber links so.....

 

[Design]

You can run without camber correction but it can magnify the effect of simple toe misalignments. While the MS coilovers do not come with camber arms, Mazda does recommend using them with their kit. Personally I'd go for a set of SPC adjustable arms and dial in your ideal preferences.

 

[spdjnke]

thanks for you feedback....anyone else??

 

[rmgedon69]

rule of thumb tom...when you go low, you better adjust your toe.
specially with the speed3 set-up. otherwise you'll see some excessive wear on your inside threads as time goes by.

 

[spdjnke]

sigh, I know I should but just not sure if I want to spend the extra bucks to get them ON top of what I'm paying for the suspension setup already. then there's the labor...sigh I guess it's what happens when we get old and can't do it ourselves anymore.

 

[rmgedon69]

lol...is that why you ditching the speed3 for a caddy http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123791844-Hypertech-Question?

well...imho, if were you, i wouldn't spend anymore money on the speed if i'm planning to trade it in in the next month or so.

oh & btw...if there's a will, there's always a way. it's just a matter of how comfortable are you doing the job yourself. if i had a lot of experience with suspension swaps, i wouldv'e offered you my help already. i know someone who could help you out but, i don't want to speak for anyone...know what i mean?

 

[spdjnke]

Well the Caddy, is just a dream right now, just checked out the car 2 days ago and a new 2011 model will set me back 79K...damn!! so it's not going to be anytime soon, but mean time I have to get the damn suspension changed cuz I think the stockers are done, it's got 40K on the Odo already. As for doing the work i can do it no problem, I was a Auto and Motorcycle tech but now that I have my son I simply don't have the time between work and family, s*** I'm so tired each day after work I wouldn't want to turn wrenches anyhow. Even if I did I would have to deal with my wife screaming at me, with the whole please grow up....stop wasting time with the car...blah blah just typical stuff so that's why. (crying out loud!) :_( so I'll have to pay someone else to do it so she won't know....(evil grin)

lol...is that why you ditching the speed3 for a caddy http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123791844-Hypertech-Question?

well...imho, if were you, i wouldn't spend anymore money on the speed if i'm planning to trade it in in the next month or so.

oh & btw...if there's a will, there's always a way. it's just a matter of how comfortable are you doing the job yourself. if i had a lot of experience with suspension swaps, i wouldv'e offered you my help already. i know someone who could help you out but, i don't want to speak for anyone...know what i mean?

 

[rmgedon69]

lol...u called ptuning yet for an estimate?

 

[spdjnke]

Hey Steve, yea first they gave me a estimate of $235 for just springs which was like a month ago....then 2 days ago I asked about springs and stock/strut and they came back with $350, and I asked them WHY is there such a difference and he said ooooooh it was a special we were running, blah blah...so anyhow I figured even if it's $350, if they do front/rear and camber links that's not to shabby...figure it's $70/hr at 5 hours of labor they quoted, it's not bad as long as it's done right.!

Are you thinking about doing something for yours??

 

[rmgedon69]

Are you thinking about doing something for yours??

been there (bought the camber links and H&R springs) and decided not to drop the car. the cons out-weighted the pros kinda thing.
anyways, if you decided to have 'em install (suspension) it for ya, i suggest you shop around when it comes to alignment.

btw...i'm not steve.

 

[spdjnke]

Crap Sorry Bobby, my bad I don't know what I was thinking with the whole steve thing. !!

As for the suspension, I really don't know if I want to change it but I think the stockers are crapping out. I have 40K on them and they just seem flat in some spots and others areas seems to rebound way to fast. so I figured why not. The only down side to this move is the cost, but I figure if I choose to keep the car for good as a spare might as well spend the grand and have it done with parts that's going to last the life of the car and not have to worry about it down the road.

 

[rmgedon69]

lol...don't sweat it man. I just want to make sure that it is me that you are conversing with & not Steve. Don't wanna be rude cutting in on a conversation.

Anyways, I guess if your stock suspension is done then it's better to replace 'em with upgraded parts. I think you'll be happy with H&R sport springs matched with Koni yellows. Another good combo is eibach shocks with Cobb springs (i know someone with this set-up). GL & I hope everything works out for ya.

 

[spdjnke]

Thanks bro, well until this strange winter is over with I'm going to hold out on the install..so this is a good time for me to gather all the necessary info that I need so it will be done right the first time.

 

[boosthead]

I'm also curious to know why Mazdaspeed lowering springs comes with them but they are not adjustable why wouldn't the stock ones work??

The mazdaspeed control arms are longer than stock so they reduce the amount of camber. I helped a buddy install a set of the SPC/Eibach adjustable arms on his 3. The passenger side is a pain in the tail.

If you decide to do just springs/shocks and want a hand, let me know. I have swapped the suspension on my previous 3 many times. It can be done in less than two hours without a lift.

 

[spdjnke]

Thanks for the offer, but for now I'm still on the fence whether or not I REEEEALLY need them if I'm going to stick with 7.5 width wheels. not sure if it's worth the 200 xtra bucks for +-.5 degree adjustment that it will probably need or not need.

 

[the_bends]

anyone had any axle problems after their spring install? according to the dealership my H&R springs destroyed my axle bearings. just wondering if anyone has seen a similar problem

 

[theblackspeed]

Wasn't too thrilled with HR after my install but according to the techs at Mazda the HR springs caused a minimal change in camber the spc was not recommended, and service knew of the springs, i have since taken the springs off though.

 

[Chumpsteak]

anyone had any axle problems after their spring install? according to the dealership my H&R springs destroyed my axle bearings. just wondering if anyone has seen a similar problem

How exactly would springs destroy axle bearings? How many miles does your car have on it? What kind of symptoms were you having or did they just tell you your bearings were bad when you took it in for an oil change or something?

 

[spdjnke]

What were you unthrilled about with the H&R's? did you get the MS3 specific springs or the MZ3? and I'm VEEERY suprised that Mazda would not recommend SPC's for the rear cuz your dropping the car up to 1.3 fnt and 1.2" in the rear which equates to about 1.0' degree change in negative camber which would eat up those tires in no time...cuz even Mazdaspeed springs comes with NEW rear camber links.
so in your case I'm going to assume the Tech had NO idea what he was talking about or DIDN"T wait for your springs to index before checking alignment.

Wasn't too thrilled with HR after my install but according to the techs at Mazda the HR springs caused a minimal change in camber the spc was not recommended, and service knew of the springs, i have since taken the springs off though.

 

[spdjnke]

Lowering springs mainly change Chassis height has nothing to do with axles alignment, unless you never got your alignment done and was running with excessive TOE or CASTER?

anyone had any axle problems after their spring install? according to the dealership my H&R springs destroyed my axle bearings. just wondering if anyone has seen a similar problem