Ride Height Standard MK1.

[blackyb]

Might be a stupid question and the answer might be staring me in the face.

Can any of the super boffins tell me of the standard ride height for a mk1 1.6.

From wherl centre to the wheel arch front and back.

I'll explain the reason for the question later.

[Mazda Mender]

Explain the reason for the question....

M-m

[blackyb]

Quite simply, rear end feels soft and sloppy on corners and a bit bouncy on the bumps.

So looking at either going full new stock mk1 suspension (shocks and springs) or a set of Meisters but aware that Meisters will lower her ever so slightly. So before I commit to either wanted to compare as she scrapes the exhaust on our speed bumps as ste sits now.

[drumtochty]

What is the distance from the center of the wheel to the bottom of the wheel arch on all the wheels?

[Mazda Mender]

Quite simply, rear end feels soft and sloppy on corners and a bit bouncy on the bumps.

So looking at either going full new stock mk1 suspension (shocks and springs) or a set of Meisters but aware that Meisters will lower her ever so slightly. So before I commit to either wanted to compare as she scrapes the exhaust on our speed bumps as ste sits now.

How did you set them when fitting them on...it does make a big difference to how they will sit and behave.

Meisters have adjustments and would bring her to standard MK1 height, but if you are seriously going to go down that route( as I personally highly recommend regardless) with how you use her ,you woul not need the zetas, but get the sportives, nice damping as set with height adjustment to suit and cheaper for the Yorkshire man's pocket .;0)
M-m

[blackyb]

Just had a measure up.
Front from centre of wheel to wheel arch 345mm
Rear from centre of wheel to wheel arch 330mm.

Hows that shaping up.

[drumtochty]

I have checked out the 1990 spec for springs and believe you have the standard from springs on the front which are shorter and 1.7 times harder the the rears.

I think for some reason you also have standard spec front springs on the rear which would mean the rear end is 40 mm too low and as those springs are stiffer than the proper rears, there is not enough force on the back end over bumps to absorb the shock in a reasonable manner.

Both front and rear springs have the same internal diameter.

I have sent a pm with more info.

[blackyb]

Evening Menders.

Firstly, many thanks to Drumtochty

Special thanks to Andrew at Autolink for exceptional service and speed of delivery.

And of course Mr Mazdamender.

Long story short, ended up going full stock mk1 on the rears with an emergency call and order to Andrew yesterday morning who quickly shipped me out two new rear shocks which arrived by 1pm today (old shocks were ok, no leaks and returned nice and smooth but had a whoopsie with one that flew apart when I took the C clamps off. Threads had pulled either on removal of the top nut or on refitting. It was bloody tight to get off.

All reassembled today, dropped to the floor and all removed nuts and bolts torqued up and she now sits at a nice 365mm from wheel centre to top of the arch, so well happy. Quick run out tomorrow then checking all the torques when she is sat on my mates four poster. Hopefully he will check the alignment setting as well. He has the standard settings dialed into his computer.

All I can put the low ride height down to is tired springs as the old ones were about 38mm shorter when measured against the new. Both had the same number of coils.

So well happy and ready for a trip up North next month.

[drumtochty]

Great news on the rear end suspension refresh!

[blackyb]

Not that anyone will be really interested had a good ride out today as our roads were crazy at the weekend.
All good, no hard crashing at the rear on bumpy back roads and the ride felt smooth.
Just checked all nuts n bolts and alls good.
Alignment checked and nothing to adjust.
Half tempted to do the same on the fronts although I do know they were new springs as I fitted them when we first bought her as one was broken.
So one happy driver and an even happier passenger.
Thanks to one and all.
End of topic.

[blackyb]

300 mile journey up north today and the car has run and handled like s dream. Actually thinking of going all new standard front suspension when I get home. Cant believe how different she feels across the rear end.
.
Time for a cold beer before tomorrow's thunderstorms.