Do I Need Shocks/struts???
08-20-01, 08:37 PM
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Do I Need Shocks/struts???
MY 84 GSL-SE SEEMS TO BOTTOM OUT WHEN I GO OVER A DIP OR BIG BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE CAR HAS 88,000 MILES...I HAD FIRESTONE CHECK THE CAR ...THE SAID THEY MAY BE LEAKING A BIT...HE HAD THE TIRE OFF THE FRONT END AND PUSHED UP ON THE STRUT AND SAID IT WAS WEAK...I PUSH DOWN ON THE CAR AND IT SPRINGS BACK FINE...DOESN'T DO THAT BOUNCY ,BOUNCY THING.. WHAT DO YOU THINK?? ARE THEY IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT ANYWAY DUE TO AGE?? NEXT...IF I DO REPLACE, I AM LOOKING FOR A FIRM RIDE BUT NOT ANYTHING TOO FIRM...I DRIVE IT FOR FUN ON THE ROAD MOST OF THE TIME...RED LINE IT HERE AND THERE FOR FUN , SPEED AND SHARP CORNERING...WHAT A BLAST TOO...ONLY HAD THE CAR 6 WEEKS....MY FIRST RX7...WANTED ONE FOR YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...I SHOULD ALSO NOTE THAT THE TIRES SEEM A LITTLE BIG FOR THE CAR.....IT COULD BE PART OF THE PROBLEM....DON'T KNOW...THEY ARE 215 60 R 14......TOO BIG???THANKS FOR YOUR HELP......PASSIONATE 1G FAN^^&&^^^%%$$%^&*()))))*&^%
08-20-01, 08:57 PM
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If my tires were that wide it would scrape. Well I would say you would only need new shocks and struts, Thats if you have never changed them before. I added 2" when I added mine. I don't have the wheels scrape the wheel wells anymore. The only time your car would bounce up and down is if the shocks/struts were compleatly gone. I have eibachs and KYB's all the way around and I can hardly press the car down a bit.
08-21-01, 01:20 AM
#3
Re: Do I Need Shocks/struts???
congrats on the rx-7, man. i've had mine for 6 months now after wanting one since i was like 13 (i'm 21 now).
i feel your pain with the tires scraping. i have 205/50 15" and my left tire scrapes when i hit i dip in the road (more weight on driver's side with me in it).
i've learned to compensate by throwing the wheel a little left if i know i'm gonna hit a bump that'll make me scrape in order to put more weight on the passenger side of the car.
i feel your pain with the tires scraping. i have 205/50 15" and my left tire scrapes when i hit i dip in the road (more weight on driver's side with me in it).
i've learned to compensate by throwing the wheel a little left if i know i'm gonna hit a bump that'll make me scrape in order to put more weight on the passenger side of the car.
08-21-01, 09:00 AM
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Are you running stock rims?
My 84’ -SE rides on 205-60-14” that was the standard size for the 14' -SE alloy wheel., so your not to far off at 215-60-14”. My 84’ has a set of weak front springs, which make the POS Racer look a bit, nose heavy. On bigger bumps she’ll rub just a touch. I’ve seen an –SE with Tokiko springs on it that will lower the car by ½” to 1”, it actually sat higher in the nose than mine! So you may want to look at springs, shocks and struts. Try www.shox.com, so far they have had the best prices I have found so far!
Anyone ever bought anything from www.shox.com, I’m fixin (Texas Slang) to place an order, let me know if I should be leery.
My 84’ -SE rides on 205-60-14” that was the standard size for the 14' -SE alloy wheel., so your not to far off at 215-60-14”. My 84’ has a set of weak front springs, which make the POS Racer look a bit, nose heavy. On bigger bumps she’ll rub just a touch. I’ve seen an –SE with Tokiko springs on it that will lower the car by ½” to 1”, it actually sat higher in the nose than mine! So you may want to look at springs, shocks and struts. Try www.shox.com, so far they have had the best prices I have found so far!
Anyone ever bought anything from www.shox.com, I’m fixin (Texas Slang) to place an order, let me know if I should be leery.
08-21-01, 09:30 AM
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thanks for the info...i would hate to replace the tires...practically new....will go with the shocks and struts....you really think i should replace the springs?? the car does sit a little low in my opinion ...won't the new shocks /struts bring that back to original height or do i have to replace the springs too.???... i don't want a real stiff ride...what brand of shocks /struts do you recommend?..looking for firm ride but not real firm...i do mostly street driving on nice days...enjoy the quickness , cornering of this great car....let me know what you think...thanks agian!!!
08-21-01, 09:43 AM
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From my understanding, the springs hold the car up, the shocks and struts keep the springs from oscillating (bouncing). Springs for these cars are pretty reasonable.
Prices I have been quoted for all 4 springs
TOKICO - springs -$169.00
EIBACH - springs -$189.00
SUSPENSION TECHNIQUES - springs -$159.00
Prices I have been quoted for all 4 springs
TOKICO - springs -$169.00
EIBACH - springs -$189.00
SUSPENSION TECHNIQUES - springs -$159.00
08-21-01, 09:46 AM
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Cjf,
Have a look at the Tokico HP shocks/struts (the blue ones), I believe they might be what you're looking for. I have a set, and love them. They are slightly stiffer than stock, but not too much so, and greatly improved the handling of my seven. They are more of a performance shock than the other non-adjustable replacement ones, and much cheaper than the adjustables.
Like Pitt said with his KYBs, I can't really push the car down at all. If you want a street setup with a little bias towards cornering, this is a good one.
You might want to hold off a bit on replacing your springs (unless you want to that is...), because those brand new shocks will make your car sit higher up for sure.
Good luck,
Have a look at the Tokico HP shocks/struts (the blue ones), I believe they might be what you're looking for. I have a set, and love them. They are slightly stiffer than stock, but not too much so, and greatly improved the handling of my seven. They are more of a performance shock than the other non-adjustable replacement ones, and much cheaper than the adjustables.
Like Pitt said with his KYBs, I can't really push the car down at all. If you want a street setup with a little bias towards cornering, this is a good one.
You might want to hold off a bit on replacing your springs (unless you want to that is...), because those brand new shocks will make your car sit higher up for sure.
Good luck,
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08-21-01, 10:01 AM
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What in the strut would push the car up? I’d love to just replacing the front struts, but is the strut holding the car up, or is the spring or is it a combo deal (super size my fries)? But I keep coming back to what I’ve been told that the springs hold the car up, the shocks and struts keep the springs from oscillating.
Pitt also stated that he added Eibach springs, so, which of the two, or both caused the increased ride height? Was yours scraping prior to adding the KYB’s?
Inquiring minds want to know!
Thanks,
Pitt also stated that he added Eibach springs, so, which of the two, or both caused the increased ride height? Was yours scraping prior to adding the KYB’s?
Inquiring minds want to know!
Thanks,
08-21-01, 10:27 AM
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Well, I don't have any theoretical background behind my statement, but I do know it works that way.... Maybe some of the more adept rotary gurus can explain this.
I'm not sure if different shocks (new) make the car sit at different heights, but I do know my car was raised up after my old worn-out shocks/struts were replaced. This was combatted by cutting a coil off my springs, but let's not talk about that....
You can see the height at which my car sits in the pics I posted up.
Sorry I'm not more help here.... I think it's a 2 for 1 supersize combo deal; both worn out shocks and sagging springs could potentially make your seven sit lower.
I'm not sure if different shocks (new) make the car sit at different heights, but I do know my car was raised up after my old worn-out shocks/struts were replaced. This was combatted by cutting a coil off my springs, but let's not talk about that....
You can see the height at which my car sits in the pics I posted up.
Sorry I'm not more help here.... I think it's a 2 for 1 supersize combo deal; both worn out shocks and sagging springs could potentially make your seven sit lower.
08-21-01, 11:48 AM
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O.K. O.K. maybe it is combo deal.
But why do the aftermarket spring guys talk about how much their springs will drop a vehicle, but you never see it mentioned with aftermarket struts?
Things that make you go hummmmmm.
Note : This theory is based on a thought I had and nothing else.
But why do the aftermarket spring guys talk about how much their springs will drop a vehicle, but you never see it mentioned with aftermarket struts?
Things that make you go hummmmmm.
Note : This theory is based on a thought I had and nothing else.
08-21-01, 01:01 PM
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Well, it seems that stiffer shocks raise things up, assuming they are otherwise identical to stock. I wouldn't think that companies would advertise this, as it isn't *cool*, and higher up automatically means worse handling, lol.
However, I believe that with coilovers, you can run shocks that are shorter and do lower the vehicle. But with this system I think the shock still maintains the same travel distance as stock, so that you get good damping travel even though your car is slammed.
I really don't know much about this stuff though, I'm just talking out of my ***
However, I believe that with coilovers, you can run shocks that are shorter and do lower the vehicle. But with this system I think the shock still maintains the same travel distance as stock, so that you get good damping travel even though your car is slammed.
I really don't know much about this stuff though, I'm just talking out of my ***
08-21-01, 01:37 PM
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I guarantee the smart guys are sitting back right now having a good laugh at our moronic ideas:p
That's one great thing about this forum, is you don't have to be an "expert" to say something. On other forums I could think of *cough* mazspeed *cough*, it's hard to carry on a little nice ill-informed banter like this. I hope I'm not going to get flamed for that one, I just like this forum the best, no one ignores you here
Incidentally, my new shocks raised the front end of the car more than the rear, which sucks if you ask me. I guess the struts were a little more shot than the shocks out back. Although right now, it is sitting about the same height on both ends. I like the look of the high rear/low front a lot better.
That's one great thing about this forum, is you don't have to be an "expert" to say something. On other forums I could think of *cough* mazspeed *cough*, it's hard to carry on a little nice ill-informed banter like this. I hope I'm not going to get flamed for that one, I just like this forum the best, no one ignores you here
Incidentally, my new shocks raised the front end of the car more than the rear, which sucks if you ask me. I guess the struts were a little more shot than the shocks out back. Although right now, it is sitting about the same height on both ends. I like the look of the high rear/low front a lot better.
Last edited by SilverRocket; 08-21-01 at 01:40 PM.
08-21-01, 02:40 PM
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Hey rx7gslse how the heck are Ya!
I do plan to be at Sunday SCCA event, still need to replace the hose that was leaking! Did get some 3/8” line yesterday. May patch her together tonight! I’ll defiantly let you know when she’s back up and running.
SilverRocket, and have been bantering back and forth, and it would appear we have hit a stalemate. What’s your angle on our “Big” Spring, Shock, Strut debate?
Did you notice SilverRocket was able to put shocks in the FRONT of his RX7!
I do plan to be at Sunday SCCA event, still need to replace the hose that was leaking! Did get some 3/8” line yesterday. May patch her together tonight! I’ll defiantly let you know when she’s back up and running.
SilverRocket, and have been bantering back and forth, and it would appear we have hit a stalemate. What’s your angle on our “Big” Spring, Shock, Strut debate?
Did you notice SilverRocket was able to put shocks in the FRONT of his RX7!
08-21-01, 03:26 PM
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EX Pres of DFW Drunks
Yeah, I've actually had alot to do of late, so my input on here has been limited.
As far as my point of view on this debate, I am pretty much of the understanding that the springs are the main determiner of the ride height. A spring has a force displacemnt relationship. I.E with a given force (the weight of the car) the displacement (height of the car) will be the same, every time. With a diferent force, the displacement will be different. Also, note that when you buy springs they list the ride height difference it makes (not so with shocks)
Now a damper (shock/strut) has a relationship between force and velocity. The faster the shock moves, the more force it will exert (i.e at pot hole) But if a damper is stationary, the force it exerts willl be zero (ideally, but not in the real world) In the real world a shock/strut will exert a force even if it's not moving. (try holding one at the same position somewhere in the middle of it's travel, not a zero force) So it would have some effect of raising the ride height of the car. The more worn the springs, the less force it takes to move them therefore greater effect a shock will have.
did that make sense? basically if you have worn springs and you replace dampers, then the ride height might change some, but if you have decent springs (especially stiff ones) the dampers should have a much smaller (if any) effect of the ride height.
Wow, way to much of college coming back there... Sorry, but hope that helps!
As far as my point of view on this debate, I am pretty much of the understanding that the springs are the main determiner of the ride height. A spring has a force displacemnt relationship. I.E with a given force (the weight of the car) the displacement (height of the car) will be the same, every time. With a diferent force, the displacement will be different. Also, note that when you buy springs they list the ride height difference it makes (not so with shocks)
Now a damper (shock/strut) has a relationship between force and velocity. The faster the shock moves, the more force it will exert (i.e at pot hole) But if a damper is stationary, the force it exerts willl be zero (ideally, but not in the real world) In the real world a shock/strut will exert a force even if it's not moving. (try holding one at the same position somewhere in the middle of it's travel, not a zero force) So it would have some effect of raising the ride height of the car. The more worn the springs, the less force it takes to move them therefore greater effect a shock will have.
did that make sense? basically if you have worn springs and you replace dampers, then the ride height might change some, but if you have decent springs (especially stiff ones) the dampers should have a much smaller (if any) effect of the ride height.
Wow, way to much of college coming back there... Sorry, but hope that helps!
08-21-01, 03:58 PM
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EX Pres of DFW Drunks
Sorry guys, I don't have lots of practical knowledge (read hands on experiance) but I did get the fortune to spend last summer as a Chassis Engineer at Ford. I guess I learned something..
And to add, I don't think anything is pushing my car up, it pretty much just rides along bottomed out.. Why I need new stuff. but I'll be out there on sunday racing anyway... Let's eat some tires!
And to add, I don't think anything is pushing my car up, it pretty much just rides along bottomed out.. Why I need new stuff. but I'll be out there on sunday racing anyway... Let's eat some tires!
08-21-01, 04:16 PM
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SilverRocket I look forward to our next battle. (Honorable bow)
Thanks for the enlightenment rx7gslse, that had to be a cool deal at Ford! Hope to see you Sunday!
Thanks for the enlightenment rx7gslse, that had to be a cool deal at Ford! Hope to see you Sunday!
08-23-01, 08:34 PM
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hey thanks guys..i am a little confused but i am getting more learned .....i guess shocks are a personal preference...lotta people like different shocks/struts....i may go for the tokico blue someone mentioned...keep the stock springs??...i going to ponder this for a while...later..................cjf
08-23-01, 09:32 PM
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CJF, looks like you got a lot of good info. I could never do as good, but my two cents is that you look into polyuretane bushings. I've found that they really improve handling all around.
By the way, why is it that you get only a penny for your thoughts, but you gotta put your two cents in?
Sombody out there is sneakin' a penny....
Denny, from the 'ol corncrib...
By the way, why is it that you get only a penny for your thoughts, but you gotta put your two cents in?
Sombody out there is sneakin' a penny....
Denny, from the 'ol corncrib...
