What struts do I have on my MX5?
Discussion
I want to change the suspension setup on my MX5 as its just too low and far to hard! I want to do this as cheap as possible so I was thinking of just replacing the springs... before I do that I wanted to make sure that someone had not already fitted MK2 complete struts...
So, looking at the pictures, can anyone see a reason why I cant just get some MK1 standard springs and fit them on?
So, looking at the pictures, can anyone see a reason why I cant just get some MK1 standard springs and fit them on?
Looks like the shocks & springs have been painted with underseal so it's hard to tell what they are. Can you tell what colour they are under the undearseal and is that a name sticker on one of them (left hand)?
Swapping the whole Mk1 shock, spring & top mount for a standard Mk2 shock, spring & top mount is a very good upgrade.
Swapping the whole Mk1 shock, spring & top mount for a standard Mk2 shock, spring & top mount is a very good upgrade.
Those huge and heavy wheels won't do you any favours in terms of ride quality.
The shocks are MK1 items, though as Lazza says they're covered in underseal. Chances are they're OEM Bilstiens with stock springs. They're not exactly reknowned for being comfy or compliant, (or even that good unless completely rebuilt to different specifications to be honest).
Again as Lazza says, find a complete MK2 setup, and cut a coil off the bottom of the spring, (they're open ended on the MK2 so it's completely safe, unlike on a MK1 spring). This will give you a perfectly usable ride height and also a nice ride.
The shocks are MK1 items, though as Lazza says they're covered in underseal. Chances are they're OEM Bilstiens with stock springs. They're not exactly reknowned for being comfy or compliant, (or even that good unless completely rebuilt to different specifications to be honest).
Again as Lazza says, find a complete MK2 setup, and cut a coil off the bottom of the spring, (they're open ended on the MK2 so it's completely safe, unlike on a MK1 spring). This will give you a perfectly usable ride height and also a nice ride.
Can't comment on the make etc, but would say from looking at the front suspension that the nuts haven't been torqued down, even allowing for the engine brace extra thickness. Also your offside rear , rear nut looks very rusted, and the captive looks to have sheared off half way at some point in the past.
Having swopped out the suspension last weekend ( on an albeit much rustier setup) may I recommend that you start soaking all of the relevant nuts and bolts three or four days with a decent releasing agent
before you tackle the job.
I managed to have both of the "issues"
....bottom bolt of the rear shock ; the captive nut broke free and I ended up shaving a little out from the wishbone to get access with a spanner, and front top balljoints, both sides the split pin was rusted solid so had to crack them in situ and then drill out afterwards... complete pain both times!
A word of advice, I swopped out standard albeit tired mk1 suspension to standard mk1 shocks with 30mm Ohlin lowering springs & swopped to 15 tyres from 14.
Visually huge improvement, handling better, but the ride has taken a big turn for the worse, especially the rear which bottoms out far too regularly on our cra**y british roads, to the point that I am seriously contemplating replacing it all with new standard kit ( when I can afford £512 ) which has to be said is nearing the cost point of some decent coilovers!!
Having swopped out the suspension last weekend ( on an albeit much rustier setup) may I recommend that you start soaking all of the relevant nuts and bolts three or four days with a decent releasing agent
before you tackle the job.
I managed to have both of the "issues"
....bottom bolt of the rear shock ; the captive nut broke free and I ended up shaving a little out from the wishbone to get access with a spanner, and front top balljoints, both sides the split pin was rusted solid so had to crack them in situ and then drill out afterwards... complete pain both times! A word of advice, I swopped out standard albeit tired mk1 suspension to standard mk1 shocks with 30mm Ohlin lowering springs & swopped to 15 tyres from 14.
Visually huge improvement, handling better, but the ride has taken a big turn for the worse, especially the rear which bottoms out far too regularly on our cra**y british roads, to the point that I am seriously contemplating replacing it all with new standard kit ( when I can afford £512 ) which has to be said is nearing the cost point of some decent coilovers!!
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