Suspension Build Using Stock Housings
04-17-13, 06:30 PM
#1
Suspension Build Using Stock Housings
So after some long thought and reading Ive decided to bite the bullet and attempt to fabricate a custom set up while retaining the stock strut housings. I know this has been done before but seeing as i'm welding impaired lol, it wasn't an option for me.
I've been running Stance Coilovers with 9k(~500lb) and 7k(~400lb) rears for awhile now and tracking the car occasionally at open drift events. Im ready to step up to road racing and wanted something a bit different. Im not entirely sure on my justification on doing this just yet other than having a better damper and spring pair.
Time for me to get rid of my horrid bump steer from being low all the time lol.
The Planned set up;
Bilstein HD (revalved later)
Modified stock strut housings
5in coilover sleeves
7" or 8" 2.5" springs
Ground Control Camber/Caster Plates
Today I started with disassembling a spare set of fronts i had lying around. I didn't have a spring compressor so I laid a few cardboard boxes against the garage wall and loosened the 21mm housing nut to its last threads. Laid the assembly on the ground facing the wall, put the ratchet on the nut and used one foot to brace the housing and the other to do the final turn. Potential energy did the rest. Springs were now free and as were the tophats.
The Stance coilovers definitely use a much shorter strut than stock. Did some measuring and it seems that if I am to remove the perch and weld the new sleeves in the same spot as the Stances i'll lose about 3 inches (need to double check) of travel although im still awaiting for the Bilsteins to arrive for more measurements. But with the 5 inches of threads ill have ill be able to gain much of my stroke back....or i could be ghetto and chop the bottoms of my housings and mount the cartridge an inch or two lower to be low and have full travel....but that would defeat the purpose of getting rid of my bumpsteer lol.
After removing the springs I started doing a few more measurements and began drilling the housings to remove the gas and oil for preparation of removing the OEM sealed inserts. I used a punch and a 3mm bit.
That is as far as I got as I nwo have to get ready to head out for work. I will be cutting the strut housing just under that weld/factory crimp and drilling a hole on the bottom of the housing to facilitate a mounting spot for the Bilstein inserts tomorrow.
I've been running Stance Coilovers with 9k(~500lb) and 7k(~400lb) rears for awhile now and tracking the car occasionally at open drift events. Im ready to step up to road racing and wanted something a bit different. Im not entirely sure on my justification on doing this just yet other than having a better damper and spring pair.
Time for me to get rid of my horrid bump steer from being low all the time lol.
The Planned set up;
Bilstein HD (revalved later)
Modified stock strut housings
5in coilover sleeves
7" or 8" 2.5" springs
Ground Control Camber/Caster Plates
Today I started with disassembling a spare set of fronts i had lying around. I didn't have a spring compressor so I laid a few cardboard boxes against the garage wall and loosened the 21mm housing nut to its last threads. Laid the assembly on the ground facing the wall, put the ratchet on the nut and used one foot to brace the housing and the other to do the final turn. Potential energy did the rest. Springs were now free and as were the tophats.
The Stance coilovers definitely use a much shorter strut than stock. Did some measuring and it seems that if I am to remove the perch and weld the new sleeves in the same spot as the Stances i'll lose about 3 inches (need to double check) of travel although im still awaiting for the Bilsteins to arrive for more measurements. But with the 5 inches of threads ill have ill be able to gain much of my stroke back....or i could be ghetto and chop the bottoms of my housings and mount the cartridge an inch or two lower to be low and have full travel....but that would defeat the purpose of getting rid of my bumpsteer lol.
After removing the springs I started doing a few more measurements and began drilling the housings to remove the gas and oil for preparation of removing the OEM sealed inserts. I used a punch and a 3mm bit.
That is as far as I got as I nwo have to get ready to head out for work. I will be cutting the strut housing just under that weld/factory crimp and drilling a hole on the bottom of the housing to facilitate a mounting spot for the Bilstein inserts tomorrow.
04-19-13, 12:58 PM
#4
i did a koni/ gc setup using my stock housing also. The only problem I have is that I cant use my 17x8 wheels without a spacer. the gc sleeves rub on the tire without the spacers
04-19-13, 05:28 PM
#6
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04-20-13, 03:26 PM
#8
well well well. got some work done. finished drilling mounting holes for the Bilstein inserts. Suprised just how much oil was still there even after i had thought i drained it all lol.
also cut the housings just uder the factory crimp and remove the inards. Curiius if Mazda planned to modify these at one point seeing as tere is a recess just under where i cut to use a retaining clip to lock the insert in place...
also cut the housings just uder the factory crimp and remove the inards. Curiius if Mazda planned to modify these at one point seeing as tere is a recess just under where i cut to use a retaining clip to lock the insert in place...
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