I have a GXL with the AAS and everything works as it should but I'd like to tighten things up a little bit w/o replacing the struts. The struts that are in there are in good shape and look like they were replaced at some point (the paint and rubber looks like it's in much better condition then the surrounding parts and the nuts and bolts have marks from being wrenched on.)

I remember reading some time ago that you could pull the actuators off, rotate the adjustment on the strut with a pliers, then pop the actuators back on. This would in effect harden the suspension even more then it normally would be on the sport setting since you'll be accessing the "very hard" adjustment that would normally kick in only over 55mph on the sport setting.

 

That would work, however you would be putting a higher load on your shocks and the valves will wear out quicker.

 

Let me get this straight. in Normal mode you would essentially be in Sport mode, and Sport mode would put you in the Very Hard level?

 

Correct.

Actually I wonder if I should just pull the actuators all together and just manually adjust the struts. I'm pretty sure they're supposed to go to very hard mode under heavy braking and accell as well. I don't want them to get over tightened under those situations and cause trouble.

 

I have a GXL with a AAS thing as well, i thought there were just 2 adjustments, didnt know it changed under heavy braking and accell by it's self?

 

i doubt that. i mean from normal it would make one adjustment level to sport. theres no higher lever then that so i dont see how you can get a stiffer level setting when already being in sport mode.

 

Under certain circumstances, like heavy turning, braking, acceleration, and going 75mph+ while in sport mode it will go one step firmer automaticly. It's in the manual about the AAS.

 

yes i know that, so that would go from stage one (in normal mode but with sports effects) stiffining to stage two (stiffness of sports mode when "turning, braking, acceleration, and going 75mph+ "). thats just switching sports mode to activate in when normal mode is on.

he stated from stage two (which he would mod to already be at full stiffness of sports mode in sport mode) it would stiffin to another level, stage 3 (a higher stiffness making the stock struts 3 way adjustable). THIS IS WHAT I DOUBT.

hope im being clear

 

The manual is out in my car, so i don't feel like getting it to quote or take a picture of, but i do remember it saying something about a 3rd level of stiffness that can only be reached while already in sport mode and only under certain circumstances. I'll try and take a picture or quote it before i leave for work in the morning.

 

ill take your word for it. its just what you posted earlier wasnt real clear. 3 way? word.... so i can have it on the 3rd setting if i take off the actuators and turn it all the way up?

 

Waste of time.
Buy a set of Tokico Blues and call it a day.


-Ted

 

When I had my struts replaced recently I had all the AAS stuff taken out. I never noticed a difference to begin with but when I bought the car the struts were shot. When I went to have the struts replaced I was quoted $600 a strut for replacements from Mazda. Forget that! I was told the AAS was more a gimic than anything else. Now that I have new struts and tires and driveline, the car handles very well, I'm amazed at the difference.

 

It's not a gimmick. Under normal driving, I keep it there. But in tight corners, etc there is a noticable difference in handling between normal and sport. I have far less understeer in sport when driving aggressivly in sport. And a much smoother ride in normal on the freeway. At least in MY car.