Suspension Parts

[outbakoz]

Hi Greg

For my BA hatch (1.8) it is in dire need of new shockies/springs and bushes and i can't bear the fact that i am driving a "moon buggy".

Looking for some

whiteline control springs (or similar/better, i've heard eibachs mentioned here, so maybe a price on those) F + R
shockies - Koni Red or Yellow or KYB (As much as i'd prefer the koni's, price will be a factor)


Can you give me some prices

I already have a whiteline rear sway bar fitted.

I'm going to get Fulcrum at Stafford to do the install as i just don't have the time to fart around with this as i need my car for work plus the fact that they can replace any bushes at the same time and get the wheel alignment done. They have no problems if i source the springs and shocks elsewhere so here i am.

[twilightprotege]

if you're going to get fulcrum @ stafford to install anything (as with most places like them), get a quote on getting everything through them, install included, then get a quote in the install only and the other stuff elsewhere. 9 times out of 10 you'll find that getting everything at the one place including the install will be cheaper than getting the parts elsewhere and getting them to do the install.

btw, fulcrum @ stafford is good with the stuff they know, not so good with the stuff they dont.

[project.r.racing]

if a car has coilovers available to it - seriously think about what you want out of your suspension - and then make ur choice about what to get.

[goodfella]

I just had KYB's fitted to my BA hardtop today, highly recommend these, they are the excel-g units as per KYB.com.au
Also got Super pro Control Arm bushes....
fun, fun and funkin awesome! Also getting rear swaybar fit next week, they couldnt get it in time for this weekend.
as far as springs go, I had installed pedders lowered springs about 3 yrs ago and they are still ok.

[outbakoz]

if you're going to get fulcrum @ stafford to install anything (as with most places like them), get a quote on getting everything through them, install included, then get a quote in the install only and the other stuff elsewhere. 9 times out of 10 you'll find that getting everything at the one place including the install will be cheaper than getting the parts elsewhere and getting them to do the install.

I already got a quote from fulcrums, but they only have king springs and i really want something better. I already talked to the guy and he was really good, understood that i am looking at whiteline or alternative springs and said it wouldn't be an issue and the fitting would be the same. Obviously it'll be less if i go with the KYB struts rather than the koni inserts, but thats to be expected.

if a car has coilovers available to it - seriously think about what you want out of your suspension - and then make ur choice about what to get.

As much as i'd love to take the same path as you have, i really can't go that extreme. Its my daily driver and i do a lot of km's on some really bad roads. I'm not one to tweak with rebound and dampening, etc.. , i'd rather have a solid setup that is gonna last with little to no work needed on it, that still corners like a champion. As much as lowering it to the max and going all out with it i would love to do, it really comes to practicality. Unfortunately practicality wins. For the cost of the D2's i can get koni shocks and whiteline springs installed with change left over which i'll need as just about all the bushes will need doing (cars got 210,000 km's on the speedo and its been to some marvelous and wonderous places but the suspensions just had its day)

I just had KYB's fitted to my BA hardtop today, highly recommend these, they are the excel-g units as per KYB.com.au .

Ah thanks for that, good to know

btw, fulcrum @ stafford is good with the stuff they know, not so good with the stuff they dont.

Thanks for the tip. The guy i was talking to owns a silvia s15 and has had both kyb and koni on it so it was pretty good to get his personal opinion. As soon as i mentioned the whiteline springs he was in pretty much agreeance that they would be a better option than the kings and said it would be no issue to use them if i supplied them in preference to the kings.

[Astro Boy]

whiteline control springs (or similar/better, i've heard eibachs mentioned here, so maybe a price on those) F + R

Should have prices by this arvo.

shockies - Koni Red or Yellow or KYB (As much as i'd prefer the koni's, price will be a factor)

With or without ABS? And what's the Chassis number if with? Take a look at KYB's online selector, and you'll see how the models split up...

Just because they're easy to get prices on, and something to reference to, Gabriels to suit BA 4cyl (any varient) are $212 per pair front or rear, and $250 per pair front or Rear for the BG.

they can replace any bushes at the same time
Try and find out what they are before hand... We did this not long ago, and found out that there's a MASSIVE difference between retail and trade on SuperPro bushes... On batman's car, I was able to do half a car's worth of bushes for $100 less than Fulcrum... Of course they'll charge to install them, but just don't tell them what you paid for them! ;)

[project.r.racing]

No ABS as is 1.8L model

[outbakoz]

No ABS as is 1.8L model
As per usual project r is correct ;) No ABS, but in saying that, when i bought the car i was given the option to get it installed as an accessory

Should have prices by this arvo.
Thanks

Try and find out what they are before hand... We did this not long ago, and found out that there's a MASSIVE difference between retail and trade on SuperPro bushes... On batman's car, I was able to do half a car's worth of bushes for $100 less than Fulcrum... Of course they'll charge to install them, but just don't tell them what you paid for them! ;)
Okay i'll get them to do a suspension check and find out exactly what bushes i need

[Astro Boy]

Price on KYB's are $369 per pair front or rear... Still waiting on rest.

[Astro Boy]

Eibachs for BA $595 set...

Eibachs for BG and Bilsteins for BA/BG not available.

Koni Inserts for BA $195 each, Retail $303...

Koni Inserts for BG $235 each.

[Rupewrecht]

Damn that's a good price for Konis.

[outbakoz]

Yeah i'd agree, they were quoting me approx $600 per pair at fulcrums ie retail

Greg, i assume that is the price for koni yellow?

[Rupewrecht]

Just remember the Konis will have to be cut n shut into your old struts...which will add to the cost.

[Astro Boy]

Greg, i assume that is the price for koni yellow?
I honestly dont know... All I could tell was that from series code 8610 they're externally adjustable, which from my VERY limited knowledge of koni (red charade had yellows in front, lada has reds in back), I'm pretty sure that means Yellows... If someone knows better feel free to correct me... Part number are 8610-something, and 86-something BA/BG respectively...

[Rupewrecht]

The Reds aren't externally adjustable (but i have a vague recollection that there's some form of adjustment pre-install) so they must be Yellows - especially if the retail price is $303

If the Koni website was working i'd confirm.

[outbakoz]

Just remember the Konis will have to be cut n shut into your old struts...which will add to the cost.

yeah fulcrum already factored that into the labour quote

[outbakoz]

Greg at that price, order the koni's (i checked the koni us site and yes its the yellows that are externally adjustable).

Let me know when you need the funds deposited and i'll transfer it asap.


Its a bit more than i anticipated for the springs but the question is -

Is it worth the extra $$$ for the eibachs when the whitelines/dobinsons are nearly half that price? Would i be better off spending the extra elsewhere to improve the package? ie .. rear strut brace?

I don't mind paying for the quality and i intend keeping the beast for at least another 5 yrs.

EDIT
Been doing loads of reading in the last 2 hours and the decision is ....

Order the eibach's Greg

I'll upgrade the front strut brace and get a rear brace at a later stage (currently have a stock Mazda Strut Brace on the front only)

[Astro Boy]

The Reds aren't externally adjustable (but i have a vague recollection that there's some form of adjustment pre-install)
Yep, What i do know (cause i've had to do this with the reds in the back of the rally car), is that you take them out, push them all the way down, then if you rotate the shaft is softens or hardens...

If the Koni website was working i'd confirm.
Yeah, that was a problem, the best i could find was the us site www.koni-na.com.

Outbak, I'll PM you! ;)

[chipa]

Yep, What i do know (cause i've had to do this with the reds in the back of the rally car), is that you take them out, push them all the way down, then if you rotate the shaft is softens or hardens...



I know for a fact that some yellow koni's were the same, at least for older model cars they are. The main difference was that the yellow is designed to allow rebuilding.

[Rupewrecht]

The BA Yellows are adustable on the top of both front and rear...which means it's a pain in the arse to adjust the rear in the Hardtop with a parcel shelf to squeeze your hand under.

Hence why BA Mazdaspeed rears are adjustable on the side of the strut...as jacking a car is still easier than moving parcel shelves.

[outbakoz]

The BA Yellows are adjustable on the top of both front and rear...which means it's a pain in the arse to adjust the rear in the Hardtop with a parcel shelf to squeeze your hand under.

Thankfully i don't have that problem in the hatch, but in saying that, i might mod the surrounds so the adjustment for the strut is accessible with out removing them seeing i'll have to do some work to get the rear strut brace in anyways.

The eibach's and koni's have been ordered. I'll take pics of the before and after and the in between (if they'll let me in the workshop ;) )

Got it booked in next monday for the suspension check to see what bushes need replacing and then its all go. Hopefully it'll be all done before the GSL Dinner.

Just can't wait to get this done :D

[outbakoz]

Okay the jobs done but i need replacement bushes, the guys at fulcrums didn't do the bushes as requested so they miss out. he he

I need

- Front Control Arm Lower Inner Front Bushing SPF1494K $52.06
- Front Control Arm Lower Rear Bushing SPF1687K PS increase DS decrease caster $56.75
- Rear Sway Bar Link Bushing Kit SPF0306K $16.50
- Rear Sway Bar Mount To Chassis Bushing SPF0305-_ _K Measure bar diameter 20mm $14.06
- Rear Trailing Arm Lower Front Bushing SPF0907K 40mm OD bush $34.63
- Rear Trailing Arm Lower Rear Bushing SPF0906K 40mm OD bush $39.13

I'll also need a hand to do these, i don't mind paying for your time greg. We can talk brakes at the same time

[chicaboo]

Ahhh, don't discount Fulcrumbum just yet. Those control arm and trailing arm bushings don't exactly just pop in and out. They are glued to the metal just like the rubber in an engine mount! And if there is one thing Mazda knows how to do (and that's not engine mounts), it is make the strongest glue known to man! :p

Gav.

[outbakoz]

I'll keep that in mind chicaboo, thanks.

I'm pretty persistent and i have a big hammer, i will win.

And if there is one thing Mazda knows how to do (and that's not engine mounts)
lol I have memory's of killing an engine mount in a kb laser ghia many moons ago (OMG in 1990)

[chicaboo]

I'm pretty persistent and i have a big hammer, i will win.Ummm, yes ok... :rolleyes: Good luck with your hammer! :p

Hehe, hammer, so funny! :D
Gav.

[Orion]

Im going to advise you to take Gav's warning on this one. I recently had all the bushes in my SP20 replaced, and I had it done at a suspension place. The fronts came off without too much trouble but the rear trailing arms were a completely different story. The mechanic spent an hour on each side of the car with an air hammer to get them out. I have them in my garage and they dont look pretty. Major PITA. Good thing the shop kept to their original quote. Im not saying you wont be able to do it, but I think it will take longer than you think.

[Astro Boy]

I too are going to have to go with Gav on this one! ;) Some of these are a right PITA and not something you can do without the proper equipment and presses, and knowing what can pop out, and what has to be burnt out...

I can supply all the SuperPro bushes, and any decent suspension (read: NOT TYRE) place can do it, be it pedders/fulcrum/specialist... I just know fulcrum (to their credit) are pretty ridgit on price when it comes to retail customers, and do the right thing by their independent distributors... I'm just prepared to make less money then they are as I understandably have ALOT less overheads (shared shed, sole trader etc, no employess etc.)

[outbakoz]

Thanks so much for the advice guys, really appreciate it. I'll put my tools back in the shed.

Greg i'll put those bushes on hold (if you haven't ordered them) as i have a hectic schedule for work for the next 5 weeks and won't be able to get the car in to fulcrum's get the bushes done as i need it for work. I'll sort it out with you later

[Orion]

If you don't want to go through Fulcrum, you could try Ozzy Tyres at Coopers Plains. They were cheaper than Fulcrum (not by a whole lot) and were fairly good to deal with. As I said, the install took longer than they expected but they stuck to the original quote. Just a suggestion.

[outbakoz]

The guys at fulcrum were good, its just the nature of my work. It can be all roses then the **** hits the fan and i'm run off my feet. Well thats what you get being in IT