[jmatt98]

I just installed Koni special active red shocks and struts and 1” front and rear lowering springs. Install went fine and I haven’t felt or noticed any bad handling or performance issues but it almost seems as if one side is sagging a little lower. Not just one corner but one side entirely, any suggestions on what I should check or things I should keep an eye out for? Installed them all the same, followed everything to spec as far as torque and what not. Nothing is in the car weighing down one side either. I could just be seeing things but I want to make sure nothing’s busted

 

[CerealKiller]

Not much info provided but takes a while for things to fully settle.

You also need an alignment afterwards.
CK

 

[arathol]

Disconnect one side of the rear sway bar and see if it looks better......

 

[DBarnes]

Just one corner being off will affect that whole side. When you Jack up these cars anywhere on the side, the whole side moves upwards.
What brand lowering springs?
What do you think of the ride and handling with the setup?

 

[jmatt98]

Just one corner being off will affect that whole side. When you Jack up these cars anywhere the side, the whole side moves upwards.
What brand lowering springs?
What do you think of the ride and handling with the setup?

I went cheap with the lowering springs honestly and bought the Godspeed project ones, the ride and handling is definitely better then stock but I’ve noticed it sways a little more at times, almost feels like I’m gliding slightly left or right depending on the road I’m on. Alignment might be off but it doesn’t pull left or right like it would. Think of what it would be like driving an air hockey puck but with a little bit of traction

 

[@madmazda_3]

What model is your mazda and what model of shocks did you get for your car?

 

[jmatt98]

What model is your mazda and what model of shocks did you get for your car?

2014 Mazda 3 i touring, the hatchback and it’s the automatic

 

[DBarnes]

I went cheap with the lowering springs honestly and bought the Godspeed project ones, the ride and handling is definitely better then stock but I’ve noticed it sways a little more at times, almost feels like I’m gliding slightly left or right depending on the road I’m on. Alignment might be off but it doesn’t pull left or right like it would. Think of what it would be like driving an air hockey puck but with a little bit of traction

You might have a problem with the front Toe setting. If you have any toe out at all, it can make it wander a bit at speed.
A good goal for a street alignment is 0 Toe front and rear with - 1.0 degrees negative camber front and rear. You will need to buy camber bolts for the front lower strut to knuckle, these cam bolts allow easy camber change at the alignment shop, and cost $15-$20.
You might have a little more understeer too, with GodSpeed having about .5 kg higher front rates vs .3kg higher rear rates.
Did the GodSpeed come with any new bump stops, or instructions for trimming the stock bump stops?
Or did the new dampers come with new bump stops, and you should have trimmed them to match the GodSpeed bumps or the height they recommended trimming to, since GodSpeed would know the new ride height and travel on their springs.
Basically, taller front bump stops can also contribute to rougher ride and more understeer. While taller rear bump stops and trimming the front can reduce understeer, Too tall in the rear, with a lower ride height can also cause a rough ride from bottoming the bump stops

 

[jmatt98]

You might have a problem with the front Toe setting. If you have any toe out at all, it can make it wander a bit at speed.
A good goal for a street alignment is 0 Toe front and rear with - 1.0 degrees negative camber front and rear. You will need to buy camber bolts for the front lower strut to knuckle, these cam bolts allow easy camber change at the alignment shop, and cost $15-$20.
You might have a little more understeer too, with GodSpeed having about .5 kg higher front rates vs .3kg higher rear rates.
Did the GodSpeed come with any new bump stops, or instructions for trimming the stock bump stops?
Or did the new dampers come with new bump stops, and you should have trimmed them to match the GodSpeed bumps or the height they recommended trimming to, since GodSpeed would know the new ride height and travel on their springs.
Basically, taller front bump stops can also contribute to rougher ride and more understeer. While taller rear bump stops and trimming the front can reduce understeer, Too tall in the rear, with a lower ride height can also cause a rough ride from bottoming the bump stops

I did notice more understeer since swapping out the springs but I’ll have to check on that toe and alignment and get all that dialed in because that sounds like it could be the issue from what you are saying. Godspeed never sent any new bump stops or instructions/recommendations on trimming the stock ones but I may have overlooked it so I’ll check again.