1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Anyone replace their suspension and have this problem?

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Old 08-31-05, 10:16 PM
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Chad Carson

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Anyone replace their suspension and have this problem?

Ok, gather with some othe 7 peeps the other night and got to talking. We noticed that two of the 1st gens that have had the suspension replaced (shocks, springs, ball joints, tie rods) were sitting lower on the driver side front than the passenger side. No on in the car we used our fingers to feel the gap difference between the pass front and the driver front. Well both FB's could do one finger on the driver side and 2 fingers on the passenger side!

So I wonder what the problem could be. I was thinking about swapping the strut assemblies to see if that would make the passenger side higher like it should be.

Anyone else have this problem? And did you fix it?
Thanks
Old 08-31-05, 10:42 PM
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it was installed wrong that's the problem. look at the top of the strut mount i bet the arow doesn't point to the engine...
Old 08-31-05, 10:58 PM
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It sounds like to me, a problem created with the battery. I know my battery weighs something like 40lbs. As equal as the rest of the car is, the battery is in the worse place IMO. As soon as I can afford, I'm doing a relocation. Hope this gave you an idea or 2.
Old 08-31-05, 11:11 PM
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This is a fairly common result of after market springs. Mine does the same thing. It has also shifted my rear end off center. I know some of the 2nd gen oem springs had a heavier spring on the left front to compensate for the extra weight.

The arrows on the strut tops are to set caster.
Old 08-31-05, 11:14 PM
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Have you checked that the springs are seated properly, just jack up the corner and make sure the springs aren't on the edge of the strut.
Old 08-31-05, 11:15 PM
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Most if not ALL 1st gens do that for some reason... the perverbial lean.
Perhaps you can measure the length or how many coils that the front drivers side stock spring has to see if it is longer than the one off the passenger side.

The only known fix that I am aware of are shims (Mazdatrix part # 34-0130-1011) http://mazdatrix.com/h3.htm or coilovers.
Old 08-31-05, 11:44 PM
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Originally Posted by RacerX7fb
Most if not ALL 1st gens do that for some reason... the perverbial lean.
Perhaps you can measure the length or how many coils that the front drivers side stock spring has to see if it is longer than the one off the passenger side.

The only known fix that I am aware of are shims (Mazdatrix part # 34-0130-1011) http://mazdatrix.com/h3.htm or coilovers.

I second this notion. It is especially bad on the GSLSEs.
Old 09-01-05, 07:30 AM
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Chad Carson

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Originally Posted by RacerX7fb
Most if not ALL 1st gens do that for some reason... the perverbial lean.
Perhaps you can measure the length or how many coils that the front drivers side stock spring has to see if it is longer than the one off the passenger side.

The only known fix that I am aware of are shims (Mazdatrix part # 34-0130-1011) http://mazdatrix.com/h3.htm or coilovers.


Thanks I forgot aboout the shims. I might go that route.
The springs are set properly, and arrows are good, the alingment dead on, no tire wear, no pulling, just it sits lower. Ans yes it is a gsl-se but the other one I saw was a gs model. I am running eibach springs and he is running suspension tech.
Old 09-01-05, 11:27 AM
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Waffles - hmmm good

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This is a very common problem. Mostly due to weight distribution and how it changes once you start removing or replacing components. Going to a custom exhaust removes a lot of weigtht from the right side and if you have the optional A/C still in there it is really apparent. Different intake and carb, more weight lost from the right side.

I'm wondering if battery relocation to the right side might even it out. There's lots of room over there ( at least on my car ).

Of course this is all conjecture. If someone could get to a scale and weigh each corner this could all be proven. Maybe one day I'll do that, buts it low on my list of things to do for now.
Old 09-01-05, 09:22 PM
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i had the same problem and got some shims from racing beat and solved
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