[MazdaGT_E]

Opening this thread to add my install stuff this weekend, the coil overs came yesterday, they look and feel really nice, hopefully they perform well

 

[MazdaGT_E]

Added the Megan Racing upper strut brace today😬

 

[MazdaGT_E]

I finally got around to installing the suspension and rear camber/toe arms today, it definitely helped that my friend let me work in his garage, I was fully prepared to do this in my driveway by myself today, he came through at the last minute.
This was a really easy and “basic” install, dropping the rear subframe piece was a super annoying task only because the Mazda engineers could have made that a lot easier… engineers? Amiright?😂
But it wasn’t hard, really basic with a few tools, it’s nice working on a newer souther car instead of an older New England car, bolts came undone perfectly.
It was initially to low when I first laid her down, so we raised it back up and adjusted the height about 1/2”, I should have gone up 3/4”-1” realistically 😂 I had to turn the dampening all the way to its stiffest setting so I wouldn’t bounce and rub, I’ll get it aligned this week and have them raise it up, I’m done for the day, there is a little noise coming from the rear, I know we double checked all the hardware to make sure all was tight, so im not sure if it’s just because it’s so stiff or if something else is going on, I did just add polyurethane exhaust hangers so the exhaust is more stiff too, I may take them off and add the stock ones back on.
So anyway, this was a super fun install and it feels good to be back under a car after so long.

 

[MazdaGT_E]

 

[MazdaGT_E]

I Also added a new front lip and riveted it to the bumper this time, ruined the first one on vacation… no more Vermont trips during mud season😂

 

[JoeMini]

Nice and low

 

[MazdaGT_E]

Nice and low

A little too low😂

 

[MazdaGT_E]

Leveled out the ride height a little this morning, tightened everything up that could have been loose, not much was, I’ll chock it up to things settling after driving it because we went around twice to make sure everything was tight.
I adjusted the dampening to 18 front 20 rear after bringing it up a 1/2” and it rides a lot better, I’m sure it’ll ride better after the alignment next week.

the top is the “corrected” ride height.

Just the front 1/4

 

[MazdaGT_E]

So a little update, After driving it for over a month with the Rev9's and godspeed supporting pieces I have to say over all it rides really well, corners great and doesnt rub, I have the Dampening set to 20 all around,

I still have the clunking and dry rubbing spring sounds at low speeds, and a good knock sound when hitting sharp road imperfections, I've done everything I can to eliminate the noises but I have Zero idea what to do any more, the endlinks have been adjusted probably 4 times, the spring seats have been cleaned and sprayed with lubricant but I cant seem to make it quiet. Idk if its could be from being too low but i've been in plenty of cars that are lower and make no suspension noise. guess its just the cheap coilovers?

 

[JoeMini]

Nice !! Luv the front lip . I need to add something to the lip too and some side skirts. My BL GX no sideskirts .

 

[MazdaGT_E]

Nice !! Luv the front lip . I need to add something to the lip too and some side skirts. My BL GX no sideskirts .

Thank you, Yea i need side skirts bad, not having any and being able to see the Uni body jack skirts is killing me, I got the lip for $50 on eBay.

 

[JoeMini]

Thank you, Yea i need side skirts bad, not having any and being able to see the Uni body jack skirts is killing me, I got the lip for $50 on eBay.

Oh ya ..i remember seeing those too on ebay

 

[MazdaGT_E]

Oh ya ..i remember seeing those too on ebay

They fit on the car really good considering the cost.
where they line up underneath is perfect

 

[DBarnes]

So a little update, After driving it for over a month with the Rev9's and godspeed supporting pieces I have to say over all it rides really well, corners great and doesnt rub, I have the Dampening set to 20 all around,

I still have the clunking and dry rubbing spring sounds at low speeds, and a good knock sound when hitting sharp road imperfections, I've done everything I can to eliminate the noises but I have Zero idea what to do any more, the endlinks have been adjusted probably 4 times, the spring seats have been cleaned and sprayed with lubricant but I cant seem to make it quiet. Idk if its could be from being too low but i've been in plenty of cars that are lower and make no suspension noise. guess its just the cheap coilovers?
View attachment 286675
View attachment 286676
View attachment 286677

Can you tell if most of the noises, or which noises, are coming from the front or rear?
I recognize your car now, seeing the stickers.

 

[MazdaGT_E]

Can you tell if most of the noises, or which noises, are coming from the front or rear?
I recognize your car now, seeing the stickers.

haha yea it me, E with the stickers 😂 😂

The sounds are equal to both front and rear, I can hear the springs rubbing the upper spring mount, sounds like a creaky spring, not worried about that one, it’s the thunk/clunk that’s in the front and rear as well, but it’s the same noise all around.

 

[DBarnes]

haha yea it me, E with the stickers 😂 😂

The sounds are equal to both front and rear, I can hear the springs rubbing the upper spring mount, sounds like a creaky spring, not worried about that one, it’s the thunk/clunk that’s in the front and rear as well, but it’s the same noise all around.

Strange!
I know the front, upper Pillowball mounts can have some clunking noises. I’ve heard that the GodSpeed camber arms can be noisy, but I think that was after as little as 1 years use.

 

[MazdaGT_E]

Strange!
I know the front, upper Pillowball mounts can have some clunking noises. I’ve heard that the GodSpeed camber arms can be noisy, but I think that was after as little as 1 years use.

yea i'm honestly not sure how any of it can be making noise, its all tight and nothing moves underneath, I have heard the godspeed products aren't the best, but in hand and installed they're super nice.

what would be making noise on the pillowball mount? the front noise sounds higher than the rear noise, but that;s why i thought it would be the endlinks

 

[MazdaGT_E]

So, maybe had a dumb moment… I went on the Rev9 website and looked at the Coilovers to see if there was something on there that would help me, I found where it said you have to reuse the factory rear upper spring mount, not just the little one that came with it. So I added it to the rear tonight and it’s definitely more quiet in the back, i now assume it’s a similar issue in the front, even though they said it was fine with the Pillow Ball Camber Plate.
The pics aren’t in order but you can see where I added the stock piece back on the spring

 

[MazdaGT_E]

So Final Update on the noise in my suspension. I brought it to my trusted local garage and they told me,

1. The preload of the springs were off, they're now set to 177mm, within the 170mm-180mm range from Rev9, to be fair I didn't know what the preload length range was and i never messed with it from factory, I found out later after I was done messing with it so I assumed that would be off.

2. The endlinks were loose, this just goes to show that Godspeed Products are crap, ever time I messed with those endlinks I tightened the piss out of them, so locktite is a must on those and they will be upgraded in the near future.

3. and lastly... this blows my mind and I don't understand how this could even be a thing... the Front Right outer LCA Bolt was not there.... so i've been driving with no outer LCA bolt on the passenger side since I bought the car back in January, the Outer LCA bolt does not need to come out to install the front suspension, IDK how I missed it when I was in there but not having to remove that bolt I guess I just didnt notice it. 🤷‍♀️

HOW could I have been driving around without that bolt in??

But now all the noises are gone and the suspension is quiet as a mouse.

So now I can say with no doubts that the Rev9 coils are really good for the price.

 

[DBarnes]

Wow!!!
Excellent post, great review with lots of info and details.
Missing LCA bolt is bizarre, and seems lucky you didn’t have a major problem from that.
Coilover preload, I usually see 5mm-10mm recommended. Do you know if you were too tight, or loose? I would think loose would be the only way to get a clunk noise?
So the end links aren’t exactly faulty, like loose ball sockets, but the nut keeps loosening on the stud? On both sides?