Please help if you can. Suspention Question

[Matt22]

So i am on a budget right now and I cant really get everythign done at this time. but I need to replace my rear struts, and i think my springs are bad as well. SO I am thinking about getting the Tokico Illumina adjustable struts for the rear and the Espelir springs. My questions are will the extra drop require any other mods and I assume that wouldnt be any problem with running different suspenion front and rear beside unpredictable handling.

Other info you may need is, I have an 01 MP3, currently with aftermarket rims wiht unknown offset, soon to be replaced with MSP rims. I love cornering rather than straight line fast, and i will be doing a few autocross' this summer. if you guys need anymore info just ask..

I am basically just looking for info from what guys did and what work well.

 

[Nomad]

why would your springs be bad? They can do millions of cycles and won;t have any issues unless they receive damage from impact/heat/etc.

What symptom tells you it's the spring? Are you just looking for an excuse to buy lowering springs?


Just get the springs and all four struts. You'll probably blow out the front struts if you just lower and keep them so save yourself the work and do them all at the same time.

 

[Matt22]

I think the springs are bad because the car has excessive rubbing in the back without any weight, but when you add weight it just gets worse, and I could be wrong but i would think that the springs are not doing there job. I am really fond of the current ride height it has the stock RacingBeat springs, but i think a higher spring rate could be benneficial as i plan to add more weight in the car with bracing and possibly a heavier sub/amps.

 

[Nomad]

sounds like your wheels are the wrong offset. That's your first area to address.

 

[Matt22]

Hey Nomad,
well I purchased the MSP rims to help with that problem, so one of these days, I will get theose aftermarket rims off the car. second thanks for the struts, third, my car sits at a terrible rake, i mean the back is 1-2 inches lower than the front. but once i get a few more parts I will swap everything over.

 

[mjdhendo]

Tire Load Limits

This is on the same lines so I didn't post a new thread...I currently have 215/45 17s on my mp3. The stock is 205/45/17s with a load limit of 1201lbs. Currently my back tires rub not with bumps but with the swoops in the road. I dont think its a suspension issue but rather my tires are wider and taller than stock. Could I put 205/40/17s with a load limit of 1102 lbs without safety issues and does anyone know if this will help? oh the mp3 is 2600 lbs or so. Thannx

 

[Joost27]

why not go back to the stock size? it's what works fine, also the load limit shouldnt be a worry, it might say 1102lbs, but think your 2600lbs is being distributed over four tires...now your more then likely rubbing because the 215/45 for one is the wrong size i believe even if u have wheels with the right offset to make up for the wider tire..

 

[Nomad]

215/45 is too large, that's why you are rubbing. The MP3, because it is already slightly lowered seems to have less room back there.

As for the springs being bad, anything is possible but are you sure it's not just an illusion from the wheel well shapes being different? Is the bottom of the car parallel to the ground or does that squat in the back too?
Pics are needed.

You should also check to see that a previous owner didn't replace any parts etc. Remember that the Espelir springs will be lower than stock, so any rubbing issues will be amplified. Not sure how the stock MP3 wheels will work when really low as the offset seems t be high. I know the MSP racing hart offset is actually 55. An offset of 45 should give a bit more space for lowering.