Rebuilding MP3 suspension

[bmacster]

Hey Everyone!

I am looking for some information on rebuilding my cars suspension.

First of all, when I have anyone or anything sitting in the rear, I start to rub. I can only gather on maybe the struts are gone but should I consider springs as well since I am tearing into it? Any recommended spring sets?

Looking at struts, I did find the Tokico Blue struts (stock for MP3) for $395 but is there anything else recommended? Higher or lower priced is fine. I'd want the same performance as stock, maybe a little more wouldn't hurt. It is my daily though and often take road trips so keeping it some what comfortable (for the girlies benefit) would be nice.

Would the Ford Escape Front Endlinks fit the car? Not sure if the front MP3 suspension is different (endlink wise) vs. the ES Protege.

I was looking around on here to see if the Energy Suspension greasable sway bar bushings would fit and noticed mixed answers to this. Anyone have any firm experience? I believe it is 25mm for the front bushings, 20mm for the rear bushings?

Is there anything else I should look at doing? The car has 170k on it. I was thinking maybe the control arms and replacing with the Peddlers bushings.

Thanks!

 

[tweety2300]

If you have the money go with coil overs. The only better strut than the hp's are illuminas. How big are your tires? Could be the cause of rubbing. Geaseable bushings will fit on the rear but not the front.

 

[bmacster]

I am running Kumho 215/40/17's. It only rubs in the rear, typically under spirited driving or any decent dip in the road, speed bump. Most of the time when it rubs though is when cornering. You can see the wear groove at the edge of the tread.

Thanks for the info on the bushings. I am off to get the end links and bushings.

The ride is dirty.. finally a nice sunny day here in Seattle....

 

[protegedude25]

Same problem i had until i switched to 205 40 17 works perfect now

 

[blackmica_es]

FWIW, i wanted to get 215/40/17 kumho ASTs when i changed last year, but the manager at my local tire chain (who drives a fully modded nissan sentra spec v, btw) warned me that they would definitely rub on my '00 protege ES, and advised me to stick with 205/40/17s. don't know i would have that problem if i had my fenders pulled, but they're the experts, so i deferred to their advice.

 

[njaremka]

rubbing depends on tire specs, but is also related to wheel specs. (size and offset) stock wheels on the MP3 were 17x7 +52 with 205/45-17's. stock wheels on the MSP were 17x7 +52 with 215/45-17's.

 

[bmacster]

Just an update. The sway bar was the weak link. The springs and struts are shot and need to get those replaced as well. Doesn't rub nearly as much, only on really aggressive driving.