suspension

[Ray]

Deanna
First you need to check that someone has not put the front springs on the rear and
rear on the front, have seen it several times, that gives you the problem you describe,
you can check for the colours if you can see and find them on the springs: front
should be RED, (White for the auto), rear should be BLUE, (Orange for the auto) I
could probably find some standard shocks and springs lying around you can have for
a couple of beers, you will still need to remove the shocks whatever you find and
do, check the springs first your shocks may be half reasonable, but a 90 import i
would say will be well worn,
good luck.
Ray

[...]

[Fletcher Blades]

Just to clarify Ray's point...

The springs are mostly black. But they have little painted spots of
the colours Ray mentions...

You'll need to give the springs a good clean to see the colours
because they'll be covered in dust, if not mud.

Fletch.

[Gary Morrison]

Deanna,

How much lower is the front? Can you use a tape measure to measure the
distance from the edge of the wheel arch down to the wheel centre for front
and back ends of the car and report? The car is supposed to sit with the front
slightly lower than the rear, but lets see your numbers.

Gary

[Gary Morrison]

Deanna,

The front looks about right, maybe slightly low, but the rear number looks
too high. I don't have access to my car to measure, has anyone else got a
measurement to compare?

You said that the front and rear shocks were done at different times, do you
know what brand of shock was used in each case? Perhaps the fronts are
different to the rears, and the spring perch is different?

Gary

[Gary Morrison]

Deanna,

I think we should wait for someone else to chip in here with a measurement
from their car. Your email address suggests you are from Auckland, maybe
someone up there will come and have a look at your car and then give advice
on who you should take it to to get it fixed. As long as you have the
standard springs this is what I would be inclined to do...

1/ Ask the people who did the rear if they can look up their records and see
exactly what shocks they used, brand and model. If they're the brands you
suggest I have got someone I can ask here in Wellington about the
suitability of the model installed to the MX-5.

2/ Get someone who knows what they're doing to check to see what the front
shocks are, again, brand and model.

It might be that the front shocks are right and the rears wrong, or vice
versa, or that your springs are odd ones? How did the car sit before all of
this started? Was it more level?

Gary

[simple]

My car isn't the best comparison, since lowering by a previous owner such
that it can only just cope with speed bumps (unless they're big ones, or
there's a passenger in the car), but we know how I love to measure things,
so...

Front left = 30.0cm 30.5cm = Front right
Rear left = 32.5cm 33.0cm = Rear right

The driver's side is slightly higher with no-one in the car - presumably
this evens out (or goes further) with driver installed.

I would expect that Deanna's front measurement of 28cm probably won't clear
any normal speedbumps.

Karl.


[...]

[redwon]

Gary
I have a '94 with with what I belive is totaly stock suspension
and orginal 14 inch wheels
My wheel arch to wheel center measurements are

Front 35.5cm
Rear 34.5cm

Dont know if '90 &'94 specs are different.

Steve

[ian cole]

Hi Deanna,
Im from Dairy Flat, If you want to bring your car here I can compare it with
my 1990 MX5
I have a small auto workshop here.
Ian

[peter]

Deanna -
sorry for the delay... I caught your message about your car feeling every stone you drive over. I have the same
experience, but always thought it was part of the fun.
I've measured three cars in my carpark out of curiousity;
#1 = 32cm front, 34 cm back
#2 = 35cm front, 36 cm back
#3 = 30 cm front, 30 cm back (mine!) which is definitely a lowered vehicle.

Best advice I've been given is that your front shocks are shot...you only got them done six months ago? or your front
wheels are smaller than the back...

Peter DRGN-1

[Gary Morrison]

Deanna,

Swapping shocks and springs is not too hard, it does take time, but there
are club members who have done their own.. maybe someone can help out? It
sounds as if you have been badly served by the people who have worked on the
car to date. Looking at the numbers others are quoting your front seems low,
and the rear a bit high. If you can get hard facts out of the people who did
the rear that might be a good starting point. They should be able to tell
you what they put in without any dissasembly. Let us know that first, then
we can make some more progress.

Who did the most recent work?

Gary

[Ray]

Deanna
Not a problem, if you can make it to Rotary Power any time between 10-12 Mon or Tues
morning, i will be there anyway, their address is 118 SunnyBrae Rd right next ot
the North Shore Testing Station, turn into the road to the testing station and Rotary
Power is just down there on the left, and we will solve your problem, if you cannot
make it on those days let me know via this list and i'll let Glenn know should you
want to make it on another day that week, as he also likes to help club members when
he can.
Ray


[...]

[Deanna Bell]

From: "Ray" <ray.yp@zfree.co.nz>
To: mx5list@mx5club.org.nz
Date sent: Mon, 16 Jul 2001 19:54:30 +1200
Subject: Re: suspension
Send reply to: MX5List<mx5list@mx5club.org.nz>

Dear Ray

I would love to take up your offer in regards to my suspension
problem. I am off this afternoon from 3pm but start my night job at
5.30pm. I am off Saturday or could fit around your schedule next
week on Monday or Tuesday. I do part time teaching at the
university and work nights in a restaurant (to pay for my car and its
many problems) so I have to manoeuvre around classes etc, but I
am very keen to get my car on the open road again. Please let me
know when is best for you and I will try to organise it. I can be
contacted by phone 021-461957, or work 3737599 ext 6945.

Thanks heaps
Deanna


[...]

[Deanna Bell]

The car was always lower in the front but it was never a real
problem clearing speed bumps until 6 months after I got the rear
shocks done. Every time I ask a mechanic to look at the
suspension for me I get told that the car has to be dismantled and
it will cost me a few hours labour. Will it take alot of time to find
out what parts are on the car? Can they be seen by just looking
under it? Also, can you tell if the springs are lowered or cut by
looking at the car while it is still intact or do you have to dismantle it?
Thanks for all the feedback from everyone. Hopefully my car will be
as I want it by a few weeks.

[Deanna Bell]

From: "Gary Morrison" <gm@paradise.net.nz>
To: "MX5List" <mx5list@mx5club.org.nz>
Subject: Re: suspension
Date sent: Mon, 16 Jul 2001 12:04:42 +1200
Send reply to: MX5List<mx5list@mx5club.org.nz>


I don't know what parts were used in the front as the mechanics I
used have since closed shop and are uncontactable. The rang the
mechanic who did the back and he reckons Gabriel or Munroe?
[...]

[Deanna Bell]

I have a 1990 Eunos Roadster and when I bought it the front
suspension was lower than the back. I want to lift up the front and
put the standard suspension back in. I have been quoted over
$1000 for parts and labour. Does anybody have a second had front
suspension unit for sale or know where I can get a reasonably
priced one from. Does anybody have some words of advice, I want
a comfortable car that doesn't feel every stone I drive over. Is there
a particular brand I should look for or steer clear of ??

Deanna

[Deanna Bell]

From: "Ray" <ray.yp@zfree.co.nz>
To: mx5list@mx5club.org.nz
Date sent: Fri, 13 Jul 2001 17:10:44 +1200
Subject: Re: suspension
Send reply to: MX5List<mx5list@mx5club.org.nz>

Thanks for the hint. I have replaced the shocks on the front in the
last six months and the back shocks were done about 18 months ago. I
am completely automobile illiterate and don't know a thing about what I
need and don't need. I paid around $500 each time for the shock work.
Does that mean that I probably only need springs? I had been told
that each corner of my car needs to be changed and that each part is
about $150 which adds up to $600 in parts and about $400 in labour
(which includes a wheel alignment). Could someone explain clearly and
simply how the shocks and springs are related and whether it is likely
that I need to change to back suspension as well. One mechanic told me
that if I change the front I need to change the back, but the back
looks the right height to me and it seems only the font is too low?

Deanna
First you need to check that someone has not put the front springs on

the rear and

rear on the front, have seen it several times, that gives you the

problem you describe,

you can check for the colours if you can see and find them on the

springs: front

should be RED, (White for the auto), rear should be BLUE, (Orange for

the auto) I

could probably find some standard shocks and springs lying around you

can have for

a couple of beers, you will still need to remove the shocks whatever

you find and

do, check the springs first your shocks may be half reasonable, but a

90 import i
[...]

[Deanna Bell]

From: "Gary Morrison" <gm@paradise.net.nz>
To: "MX5List" <mx5list@mx5club.org.nz>
Subject: Re: suspension
Date sent: Mon, 16 Jul 2001 10:45:00 +1200
Send reply to: MX5List<mx5list@mx5club.org.nz>

The front measurement is 28cm and the back is 37cm.
[...]

[Deanna Bell]

I have a 1990 Eunos Roadster and when I bought it the front
suspension was lower than the back. I want to lift up the front and
put the standard suspension back in. I have been quoted over
$1000 for parts and labour. Does anybody have a second had front
suspension unit for sale or know where I can get a reasonably
priced one from. Does anybody have some words of advice, I want
a comfortable car that doesn't feel every stone I drive over. Is there
a particular brand I should look for or steer clear of ??

Deanna