[Mk2] [NA] Front suspension looks high after changing shocks and springs

[rovtomcat93]

Firstly car is a 97 Rev 4 NA.

I changed my front shocks and springs (both sides) at the weekend and notice now the suspension sits much higher than before.

The shocks I fitted were standard Toyota and the springs were KYB part number RD1613 which it says is correct for a 1997 MR2 with standard suspension.

Looking at the photo does the height look right for standard suspension or should it be lower, thanks?

[mr2matt]

Your old springs and shocks were probably the factory fitted ones and so would have sagged somewhat over 17 years of use, the new units will be much more rigid and the car will sit higher than it did previously unless you've gone for lowering springs, however give it a couple of weeks of use for the new springs and shocks to settle, they usually drop a little bit after a few spirited drives.

That being said, that is one hell of an arch gap compared to mine which is a UK rev 5 on standard springs from the factory, must save up for some Tein springs soon

[Nic]

Has the car been driven or is that photo straight after it's come off the jack?

[rovtomcat93]

Its only been driven around a quarter of a mile so far, I took it for a quick drive around the block yesterday.

Just looks really high to me but have not owned an MR2 for long so not sure what new standard spring height should look like

Yeah it does look a hell of a gap to me to, could get a 4x4 tyre in there!!!Might have to take the springs off and chop the spring down!!

[jimGTS]

do NOT chop a spring

[rovtomcat93]

do NOT chop a spring

Ok why not though?

These look crap IMO being so high

[jimGTS]

no other word apart from dangerous.

[rovtomcat93]

ok wont chop the springs but could do with knowing if this height is normal with new standard springs because if not I am taking them off and sending them back

[JohnnyC]

Might have to take the springs off and chop the spring down!!

OMFG!!!!!!!!1111

[mr2matt]

rovtomcat93 wrote:

Might have to take the springs off and chop the spring down!!

DO NOT CHOP YOUR SPRINGS!!! It may be considered cool to do it on a corsa or saxo but please do not do this to a performance sports car as you will ruin the handling, make it dangerous to drive and possibly hurt or kill yourself or even worse, someone else. The reason you should not chop springs is because the are progressively wound, meaning that different sections of the spring are stronger/weaker so that the harder you are cornering the harder the spring reacts to the cars inertia. Cutting parts of your spring off removes sections of strength and makes your spring a lot weaker and it will not work as it should, making your handling soft and bouncier as well as dangerous. These are brand new shocks and springs that you've fitted, give them a few weeks to settle, take them on a few spirited drives with some hard cornering and if they don't settle to a height you're happy with, sell the springs and buy some lowering springs, or if you want it low to the ground now and don't want to wait, return the standard springs for a refund and buy something like these:-

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170915098643?ssPageN ... 1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270997328616? ... EBIDX%3AIT

[dexter]

Just give it time mate, one option would to possibly put some added weight in the frunk to assist the sagging process. I put all my tools and jack in the front anyway but an idea for you if you want "some lows"