» Site Navigation | | » Recent Threads | | My 318ti build 05-21-2024 04:48 PM 05-21-2024 04:48 PM 0 Replies, 1,163 Views | | | | | 09-27-2006, 02:49 PM | #1 | Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 16 | What causes sagging of suspension? I'm getting some sagging in the rear suspension of my TI. It looks a bit lower than it use to. I was under the impression that it was the springs that control the resting height and the shocks that control the damping... so does that mean my springs need replacement? I'm still on the stock suspension on my 98 sport (~80k miles) and they ride alittle softer than they use to, but they aren't bouncing all over the place (yet) so I've held off on replacing them. Any ideas? __________________ 98 318ti, 99 Miata, 90 Miata | | | 09-27-2006, 02:54 PM | #2 | doesn't care about you. Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 3,925 | A couple guys on the yahoo list mentioned that their springs broke. Jack up the car (use a jack stand while you are under it) and check out the condition of the springs. There are several people on the forum (Including myself) that will sell you a set of stock springs for cheap if you need them. __________________ '99 Dinan M3 | | | 09-27-2006, 03:01 PM | #3 | Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Lawton, Oklahoma Posts: 110 | My 96 sport is doing that also, i really dont want to replace the stuff right now, but if i do should I just use something after market like the Bav Auto springs? | | | 09-28-2006, 03:21 AM | #4 | Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Fl...tampa area Posts: 320 | my guess would actually be the shocks or struts. if theyre blown or worn out they will make the car sag and drive pretty ****ty truthfully. say like if you hit a bump, the car will still be going up and down a few seconds later instead of like 1 or 2 sags | | | 10-03-2006, 10:42 PM | #5 | islander on the mainland Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 286 | It's probably your shocks. Springs don't sag as they're made to hold the weight of your car. But when your shocks blow out or are starting to leak, you'll notice your car will ride lower and the travel is much more severe. You can test this by standing at the corner of your car and pushing down on it. If your car goes up and down easily, it may be time to replace your shock(s). If you were thinking about upgrading your springs in the future, you may want to try to do it at the same time as your shocks. Saves on time and labor. __________________ moku 1996 318ti Cali Top w/ Downing/Atlanta Supercharger 2003 M3 w/ CSL trunk, splitters, & diffuser | | | 10-03-2006, 10:47 PM | #6 | Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Portland Or Posts: 2,666 | Hmm, I'd have said the oposite, shocks should not affect ride height very much unless really high pressure gas. I find the spring rate drops over time and eventually the springs lose about 15% of thier capacity. If your shocks are bad it can prematurely age the springs... Dave __________________ Dave - PDX 1995 318ti - Active Black and Tan. 2005 330xi - Mtech 1 - 6spd - Orient Blue/Black | | | 10-03-2006, 10:58 PM | #7 | islander on the mainland Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 286 | Quote: Originally Posted by pdxmotorhead Hmm, I'd have said the oposite, shocks should not affect ride height very much unless really high pressure gas. I find the spring rate drops over time and eventually the springs lose about 15% of thier capacity. If your shocks are bad it can prematurely age the springs... Dave | It could be a combination of both. I just know that when I blew one of my shocks, I noticed that the car sat a little lower on that corner. __________________ moku 1996 318ti Cali Top w/ Downing/Atlanta Supercharger 2003 M3 w/ CSL trunk, splitters, & diffuser | | | 10-04-2006, 01:16 AM | #8 | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: state college, pa Posts: 3,431 | If you're on the stock dampers, they need replaced. While the springs do carry the bulk of the load, the dampers hold a small percentage of the weight. But do check the springs first. Mine went in the first 100k. __________________ I scream, you scream, we all scream for ZOMBIES. | | | | Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | Posting Rules | You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | |