rx7forever

Anyone got their tokico springs installed? I got mines installed by a professional but somehow the front stock wheels are rubbing the lower part of the springs. The back are fine. I was wondering if it was a bad install or i need some modifications to the setup. I was told to get spacers for the wheels to get it from rubbing. If i do need spacers, does anyone know what size, brand, and where I can get them? Mines a 85 GSL with stock 13's. Also, the back seems to be alot lower with tokicos. Looks sorta funny. Anyways, any info would be appreciated.

nipplebandit45

just a totally un-educated guess, but sounds like thefront's might be in the bac, and the backs might be in the front.

rx7forever

Well, i've already checked if it was reversed and they are correct. The fronts are larger and it tapers off on the bottom. Also there's a sticker which say's which pair is front or rear on the springs.

nipplebandit45

just a thought.

Mike

rx7forever

Anyone else have some insight? There must be someone whos gone through this problem. Is it that I need a alignment or adjustment to cambers or tie rods? The car drives straight with the exception of tires rubbing on the springs.

yayarx7

the stock wheels are rubbing, or the tires? The wheels should never rub on any spring. I believe the tires could if an excessively wide tire was mounted on the stock rim.

rx7forever

Before installing the springs the tires never rubbed. The tires are 185/60/13's. It is the lower coil that rubs the tire.

speckamp

I'm running tokico HP's w/ Tokico springs and 205/60/14's, there's no rub whatsoever, there's plenty of room. In fact the OEM springs that they replaced were so shot that the car was raised over an inch by the tokicos.

I'm thinking bad install? Did you get new shocks/struts w/ the springs??

--matt

RXcetera

And you're sure they are seated properly? What's the part # on the springs... it should be 5050.

rx7forever

Part # is 5050. I got the tokico HP's installed at the same time as the springs. I took off the wheels to check and the springs were seated properly where it seats in a little slot on the strut.. I called tokico and they said they knew that the springs has some fitment problems with certain rx-7's and would take them back. The thing is I don't want to pay again to get them uninstalled. So i am leaning towards wheel spacers. Seems the tires needs about 5mm to clear the spings.

RXcetera

That's screwed-up. How could they only fit on SOME RX-7's?? Mazda uses the same spring for all years of first gens. Maybe the only fit on SE's?? (because of the bigger wheels). I sure as hell hope not!!

RXcetera

What about the back? Didnt you say it was sitting really low? How are you going to fix that?

rx7forever

I'll probably leave the back alone. It sits low but it's not that bad. I can probably live with it. It's just the fronts that's giving me some thoughts. I might have to end up getting 1/2 size spacers or opt for some new rims with a different offset.

rotorhead

dude, that's like putting a bandaid on a broken arm. somethings not right and the spacers are just gonna cover it up... but the fact remains, somethin's not right! if you had them professionally installed, and it's not the way it's supposed to be, take it back! make the garage do the job right!

RXcetera

I'm starting to wonder if maybe it's the springs that are fucked and not the mechanics. I guess I'll let you guys know in a month .

yayarx7

Maybe thats why tokico stopped making springs for our cars?

rx7forever

Is it possible the front or rear suspension can be screwed up when installing new shocks and springs? The front wheels seem awfully close to the struts while the tires are touching the springs. I also notice the whole drivers side is still sagging slightly after the install.

yayarx7

maybe you should take it to another tech to see what they say. preferably one with racecar knowledge, it sounds like something is very wrong.

RXcetera

Do both sides rub??

rx7forever

after careful inspection only one side rubs slightly while the other side barely touches.

cjf

iTrader: (1)

I agree with some of the comments...if a professional install, then take it back to them...they should see it is not right and if they know or knew what they were doing, the should correct...if it is a problem with the material (tokico) , the the professional should be able to tell you that and maybe you cam get a new set ...I also agree wth the others that living with it is not acceptable. Something is wrong and it needs to be looked in to...I am not knowledgable enough to help you with what the problem is....but I never heard of these kind of problems...good luck....

lordrhett

I've got the same problem. 84 SE, tokico shocks and springs. But it just barly rubs......at least I think so. I've had them for a while and there are no marks on my tires. As they have settled in I think they don't rub as much.

Haven't found a resolution yet, but if you figure something out let me know.

Rhett

rx7forever

Well, I asked everywhere and most of the people haven't heard or seen this problem. Advice I got is to check the alignment and also see if rotating the strut mount helps. I'm going to have it checked and get a second opinion at a frame and alignment shop. Hopefully it's just some minor tweaks to the alignment that fixes the problem.

rx7forever

Here's an update. Found out alignment and installt of tokico springs are correct. The springs basically does not fit with the larger bottom coil. I've replaced the set of springs with Eibachs and everything fits with a 1/2-3/4 inch clearance. Called tokico about it and they are aware of the problem of fitment with 84-85 rexs and are trying to correct it. Anyway, I'm returning it back to them. Even though it was a great deal for the springs but unfortuately I've wasted more time and money overall. Good luck to whoever bought their tokicos.

smnc

Dude, that blows! Tokio should pay for your expenses, selling a product that doesn't fit is just plain wrong!

Good thing they sold out before I called... I'd have been right pissed with them....