car rides low...

[Konvict]

ok so i have a 2003.5 MSP
and right now i cant have anymore than 3 people in the car at anytime when im driving or else the rear tyres will rub against the wheel well if i hit the slightest bump...
i make the person in back sit in midle and properly distribute weight...but if someone sits in back the rear probably sinks 2-3 inches...
any idea why this is happening?...busted shocks?...i dunno
i do have a audio system in there...weighs quite a bit..2 12" subs

i had 4 people in car a while back...and i hit a bump going avg speed...and the tyre smacked into frame so hard it chipped the frame:( and cut the tyre
tyre was ok just had a slice on outside..and this was before the audio system was there...

but yeah...any ideas on if this is just the car?..or sumtihn has screwd up on my car

any tips are appreciated

[mhrebin]

bad shocks? that could be the only reason why the backend would sink down so much. IMO

something is def. soft in the rear ( does that sound weird? lol)

check struts and springs. how many miles on the car?

[Konvict]

75k on the car...

and any idea how much replacement shocks wud be?

[02p5]

From the avatar picture looks like you have aftermarket wheels. The offset on them is not right and that is why in the pic the wheels alomost stick out. My guess 40 or 42 offset?

[Konvict]

they are 40...but they fit in the car fine...its just if i hit a bump the tyre will hit the top of wheel well...the inside area i mean...and if it hits the very top in there then it does catch the outside...

[jeg0024]

From the avatar picture looks like you have aftermarket wheels. The offset on them is not right and that is why in the pic the wheels alomost stick out. My guess 40 or 42 offset?

Yeah, those tires stick out a lot. When I have 3 people in the rear my tires go up into the wheel well but there tucked in just barly far enough to have clearance. My rear does drop atleast an inch or two with 400-500 extra pounds in the rear.

[02p5]

Nah man, 40 offset doesn't work. Refer to Rishie's wheel fitment thread. The sidewall of you tire is hitting the fender cause of the offset, it's not a shock problem.

[Konvict]

yeah...but my rear drops if one guy who weighs less than 200lbs sits in back...and it drops a full 2 inches

[jeg0024]

75k on the car...

and any idea how much replacement shocks wud be?

You could get some blues for $109 a corner, but I could hook ya up cheaper I think.

[jeg0024]

yeah...but my rear drops if one guy who weighs less than 200lbs sits in back...and it drops a full 2 inches

Yeah, your struts may be blown. What springs are you running?

[Konvict]

the stock ones that came with the car...nothing under there has changed..i am ordering the axr clunk bracket from evo on this forum tho

[niv]

if you have audio components that weigh alot you are already preloading the weight, regardless of a person who weighs <200lbs. with audio <200 still might be alot....

that only sounds like part of the problem.

02p5 is right... it looks like your offset might be another part of issues yet to come if they're putting marks on your sidewalls.... be careful eh?

[Konvict]

yeah...the offset is right to the edge...but the rubber does fit inside the wheel well...even when car rides low...it only hit edge of frame on inside when i hit a bump too hard

[Brian MP5T]

Roll The Rear Fenders

[Konvict]

wot u mean?

[macklum]

wot u mean?http://www.mazda6tech.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=49

[Brian MP5T]

^^ Yes

[nate0123]

yeah...the offset is right to the edge...but the rubber does fit inside the wheel well...even when car rides low...it only hit edge of frame on inside when i hit a bump too hardOk, your offset is +40mm, but what is the wheel size, 17x7? 17x8? What is your tire size? Offset by itself means nothing.

[Konvict]

wheels are 18...lol

cheers for the link to the fender rolling...i guess i'l be doing that...any idea where i can rent one from?

[nate0123]

wheels are 18...lol

cheers for the link to the fender rolling...i guess i'l be doing that...any idea where i can rent one from?18 x how wide? And what tire size?

[Konvict]

215 40Z R18 are the rear wheels...but this isnt the problem im having...has nothing to do with the tyre size

its just when i have someone sitting in the back the car drops so much...so it may aswell be a 2 seater not a 5...im guessing its the shocks on the car...im not sure what to look for to see if it is them...so i'll probably take it to dealer

[nate0123]

Actually with that tire size and offset, the tires are a big part of your problem. I doubt it would be shocks (or struts to be precise). Springs allow the suspension to compress, struts control rebound. I suspect you're just putting too much weight in the car. 200 lbs audio system, all concentrated at the rear wheels. Rear seat passengers are adding even more weight toward the rear.

Have you checked the rear springs? Made sure they're secure in their mounts? Could you jack up the rear of the car and photograph the spring/strut? If you were not the original owner, maybe the previous owner did some questionable mods, like heat-sagging the springs, or removing coils.

[Konvict]

hmm maybe he did
yeah for sure...i'll take some pics for you guys and post them up on here when i get a chance...probably weekend
cheers

[Konvict]

ok so this is a pretty late reply to all this...but i been really busy and actually ended up forgetting about doing this:S..lol
but i had the car checked out...and apparently the rear strut on driver side is blown O_O

so...i need 2 new struts?...or can i just replace the one?
also can anyone tell me a good replacement one?...or would u guys jsut recommend getting the stock one put on fromt he dealer?

[SOCAL MSP]

You could get some blues for $109 a corner, but I could hook ya up cheaper I think.

Hey pretty soon Im gonna have to change my struts...I have like 74,000 mil on the frame. I wanna get the same blue tockio struts (whatever they are called) how much could you get me some for 4??

Sorry if I thread jack a little...