Anyone know how difficult it will be to change the springs yourself?

[jaimie08mazda3]

So this weekend I have planned to replace my suspension. And I am wondering who has done it themselves and the work involved? I mean the rears don't seem too bad at all and I'm doing shocks while I'm at it. Any help would be appreciated.

[peterm15]

Not hard to do, as long as nothing is seized.

( http://krystmsgarage.com/?p=148 )

its a pretty good walkthrough.

[Hyperion]

Fairly simple. Take me 2 hours for front and back, including removing the springs. But then again, I've done it a few times.
You just have to know how to use the springs compressors and make sure the front spring sits in line properly. If you don't, there will be clunking.

[jaimie08mazda3]

Thanks guys. That tutorial is pretty detailed. I didn't figure it would be too hard. I'd rather learn how to do it myself then spend a couple hundred getting someone else to do it.

[SomeGuy]

Aren't you in the kw or guelph area? If so there's quite a few locals that would help...we frequently do them in my garage. If you haven't done them before or seen them done you'll have a bit of a tough time as certain things just feel "wrong" the first time you do it.

[Genpu_Mz3]

yea, he's from guelph. its really not hard, i did mine as well as help out a few buddies with theirs. if you need a hand with anything (depending what day/time your doing it im free saturday next weekend) feel free to give me a shout (since i live 1min away from you lol!) shoot me a pm and ill give you my info.

[jaimie08mazda3]

ARGGGHHHH. So the my tires (225 45 R 17"s) are too big and I changed the rears first to see because I knew it would be easier. And so I put them on and drove around with them and it rubs like a bastard. So now I guess I need new tires before I install them. :bang

[leecheefoto]

ARGGGHHHH. So the my tires (225 45 R 17"s) are too big and I changed the rears first to see because I knew it would be easier. And so I put them on and drove around with them and it rubs like a bastard. So now I guess I need new tires before I install them. :bang

Or you can roll them fenders

[SomeGuy]

ARGGGHHHH. So the my tires (225 45 R 17"s) are too big and I changed the rears first to see because I knew it would be easier. And so I put them on and drove around with them and it rubs like a bastard. So now I guess I need new tires before I install them. :bang

Really? I'm surprised those would rub, there's plenty of guys running bigger on low ass coils...what springs are they?

[Hyperion]

Yea, they shouldn't rub.

[jaimie08mazda3]

H Tein springs. Bought them off JohnnyGT. When I had bought them he had told me that the rear would be about .8 to .9. When I put them on it dropped an easy 2 inch. But I also installed the shocks as well and forgot to put the plastic covering thing on them. Would that make a difference? I think it might. Also maybe the fact I only did the rear and it put more weight on the back. I dunno I am angry because it was so low but it kept rubbing when I would take turns or hit a bump. I think if I got a set of tires that were an inch to inch and a half smaller it might be alot better. Any one tell me what it could be?

[Genpu_Mz3]

im lowered 2" with 225/45/17, not even close to rubbing. can you post pics?

[jaimie08mazda3]

I took them off before I took any pics unfortunately. But just in the 5 minutes I was driving around with them my back tire was peeling. Could it be the fact I only had the backs on?
Edit: Think I might have figured out the problem. My sub box is a full wood sealed box housing 2 12"s and it is a heavy bastard. It might be the reason why its dropping as much as it does. We shall soon find out.

[Genpu_Mz3]

I took them off before I took any pics unfortunately. But just in the 5 minutes I was driving around with them my back tire was peeling. Could it be the fact I only had the backs on?
Edit: Think I might have figured out the problem. My sub box is a full wood sealed box housing 2 12"s and it is a heavy bastard. It might be the reason why its dropping as much as it does. We shall soon find out.

i doubt thats it, unless its like 75+lbs

[jaimie08mazda3]

In total in my trunk I am probably at over that. That box is heavy as hell.

[Noisy Crow]

What offset are the wheels?

[Genpu_Mz3]

did you put the front springs on the back maybe?

[Hyperion]

did you put the front springs on the back maybe?

Impossible. Wouldn't fit.

[Genpu_Mz3]

lol, just throwing it out there haha

[jaimie08mazda3]

Lol no I'm not an idiot. I know the difference between front and rear springs haha. I'm going to see what changing the box will do. The box is heavy and it makes sense as to why my back end sits low as it is. Hopefully this weekend I finally get them on. Ill take a before and after pic of how it sits with it in and with it out. Ryan (RJ3) was the one who had told me it might be that so we shall see. Thank you all for the help and hopefully soon my car will be dropped :D.

[SomeGuy]

You should get someone to help out that has done them before...

[jaimie08mazda3]

Well if any of you guys would be able to help me one weekend I'd really appreciate it. I want it dropped. I've always wanted it like that but I am gonna go up to Fergus and grab that lighter box and then I can set it all up. And remove everything from it and just have the box and amp in there and go from there.

[Genpu_Mz3]

i have today n tomorrow off if you need a hand

[jaimie08mazda3]

Won't be till the weekend at least. And I'm on afts this week Got a lot on the go for the next couple days. And I gotta take the car in tomorrow to find out wtf is wrong with my clutch. But appreciate the offer man.

[SomeGuy]

We'll probably be doing installs saturday at my place...would be lots of people around and some other installs that need to happen first, although could potentially get a few going at once since most intakes don't need the car jacked up.

[RobertL]

I have a set of prokits I picked up a couple of weeks ago off another member that I need to put on. I've been looking for a hand getting them on as well. I'm not sure if this Saturday works for me though, since I'm headed to the hamza's for the exterior detail gb.

[SomeGuy]

I have a set of prokits I picked up a couple of weeks ago off another member that I need to put on. I've been looking for a hand getting them on as well. I'm not sure if this Saturday works for me though, since I'm headed to the hamza's for the exterior detail gb.

You have corksport stuff from me too right? Come pick it up...could potentially do sunday for you.

[RobertL]

You have corksport stuff from me too right? Come pick it up...could potentially do sunday for you.

Yup! Sounds good! I think I should be free Sunday.

[SomeGuy]

Yup! Sounds good! I think I should be free Sunday.

Shoot me a PM with your contact info and we'll setup a time.

[O1Kanoby]

Not hard to do, as long as nothing is seized.

( http://krystmsgarage.com/?p=148 )

its a pretty good walkthrough.

this tutorial should be in the DIY section, its really good.

[SomeGuy]

Had a look at the car yesterday, the offset of the wheels is what is making it rub on the pinch weld when lowered...not enough clearance. A fender roll will probably fix it.