Lowering springs with stock shocks?

[miatafied]

Just wondering if all of you with lowered springs have gone with aftermarket shocks as well. I was under the impression that shorter stiffer springs require better than stock shocks to pair up.

[Gambino]

well I have been running sportlines for about 5 months now with stock struts and have no problems. I of course will be getting new shocks soon or maybe some coilovers, but if you want to drop your car you do not NEED new struts

[Hughes412]

Yea what he said, I've been running on the eibachs for a yr now on the factory struts with no problem.

[BC3I]

Yeah, been fine on mine...no probs

[goldwing2000]

Ditto. Eibachs for over a year on stockers.

[the_saint]

Anybody on Tein s-techs?

I was under the same impression...shorter/stiffer springs will blow out stock shocks.

[goldwing2000]

I was under the same impression...shorter/stiffer springs will blow out stock shocks.

I've heard people say that but I can't think of a single reason why it would be true. The only effect it should have is that the shocks won't travel as much and will rest in a different position. That shouldn't have any detrimental effects, at all.

[Gambino]

The guy at the garage that installed mine said the only reason they will wear faster is less travel area, so it is wearing at a smaller area more frequently, but even if you get new shocks, it wont change travel distance much.

[tsunami]

The guy at the garage that installed mine said the only reason they will wear faster is less travel area, so it is wearing at a smaller area more frequently, but even if you get new shocks, it wont change travel distance much.


exactly.... with lowering your car you are just decreasing the travel area that the shock goes over....its not like a shock is a linear bearing and needs to circulate the ball bearings for optimum performance... all the shock is is a cylinder in a tube with some lube and a seal (put simply) ... by decreasing the travel area of the cylinder and possibly a faster rebound rate b/c of springs you will see some faster wear in that area, the wear rate should only increase by a small amount....aftermarket shocks have different lubricants and design to improve wear rates for lowered cars so when your stockers do go i would deffinatly look into an aftermarket shock....

[doogie]

Anyone know of aftermarket damper options? I have been looking but no success. I am not intrested in coilovers at this point. I already have the Eibach pro-kit installed so I just want to upgrade the dampers to adjustable and better valving items.

[macklum]

Anybody on Tein s-techs?

I was under the same impression...shorter/stiffer springs will blow out stock shocks. I am running s techs on my Lx , I am now at the point that i need to replace the struts I have 130 k ( 80,000 miles )on the stock struts . I would considered this normal wear for struts ,so go ahead and lower your car . If you are a hard driver your struts will wear out faster . It is usually the rebound that will wear out first , The stock struts arnt designed to control the extra pressure that the teins put on the strut

[tsunami]

Anyone know of aftermarket damper options? I have been looking but no success. I am not intrested in coilovers at this point. I already have the Eibach pro-kit installed so I just want to upgrade the dampers to adjustable and better valving items.


mazda speed are the only af struts out there so far.... they aren't cheap either its like 450 for all 4 or something like that...

[doogie]

Anyone running these around here to give a good synopsis of the proformance difference? Any Idea who has them for sale?

[macklum]

mazda speed are the only af struts out there so far.... they aren't cheap either its like 450 for all 4 or something like that... Dont forget Tokico HP's ,Tokico Illuminas as well as KYB . You can also look at Koni and billsten

[*eiGht*]

I'm running S-Tech and Mazdaspeed Sport dampers on my 3. The ride is pretty stiff as expected....but handling is great! Here are some pics

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/806000-806999/806002_46_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/806000-806999/806002_44_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/806000-806999/806002_45_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/806000-806999/806002_67_full.jpg

[JBreed]

I have Eibachs, no problems with struts as of yet(at least 1year old), very stiff ride though. I have replaced the rear, and now my front sway bar bushings are bad and need replacing, unsure if this is related to the lowering springs...

[mumshquat]

Dont forget Tokico HP's ,Tokico Illuminas as well as KYB . You can also look at Koni and billsten


they don't make those for the mazda 3 yet wise ass. look where you're typing

[goldwing2000]

they don't make those for the mazda 3 yet wise ass. look where you're typing

Lighten up, Francis. (no)

[Gambino]

Just bumping an old thread to see if anyone out there has anymore info on aftermarket shocks that i havent heard? Or if anyone with lowering springs has had any stock shock problems?

[goldwing2000]

Stock shocks, almost 30k since lowering, no problems whatsoever.

[Gambino]

same, just not that many miles, like 5k since march. I am just looking for anymore options available out there! or possible setbacks anyone has experienced

[WetsuitxNinja]

OK well I am getting the urge to put some springs in, but I had a ? about having a heavy sub in the back ~150 pounds, would I be better off going with a spring set that has a larger drop in the front, or should I find some with a stiffer spring rate for the rears, or would progressive springs be the way to go for me? Im not looking to slam the car, just get rid of the wheel well gap.

[macklum]

OK well I am getting the urge to put some springs in, but I had a ? about having a heavy sub in the back ~150 pounds, would I be better off going with a spring set that has a larger drop in the front, or should I find some with a stiffer spring rate for the rears, or would progressive springs be the way to go for me? Im not looking to slam the car, just get rid of the wheel well gap. I am using Teins S tech on my sedan I have about 150 in stereo equipment as well http://www.msprotege.com/members/macklum/malcolm2.jpg

[WetsuitxNinja]

sweet thanks macklum, I guess the stiffness of the springs ease a bit of the sag. I just didnt want to get springs and have my ass end sagging still, I hate how it looks right now. Even will make me happy