SPORT S suspension is too hard

[David Crisford]

OK ladies and gents,
I've got a 99 Red and Tan I bought recently.
I liked it alot better than the other Miata's I test drove.
It has all the options I like, etc.
My only problem is that it rides too hard and it has the "ground effects" package on it.
My left rear shock is leaking and needs to be replaced.
I would like to see who would be interested in swapping the SPORT S coils for a "stock" set of springs with "stock" shocks.
If someone has a very good set of both springs and shocks with less than 10K on them I'll throw in the "ground effects" stuff.


davidcrisford (at) sbcglobal.net

[POS Racing]

Did you see this post on your introduction post? Looks like you have a non-sport suspension already. But if you have a leaky shock a new set of shocks may fix up the ride.

Welcome to the forum, David!

Welcome David! Congrats on the Miata purchase, you're going to love it (sounds like you already do! ).
I didn't think a '99 Sport was available with leather interior. Check inside the drivers side door-jamb. If it reads 'Hard S' it's not a Sport. If it reads 'Sport S' it is! The other way to tell is check your shocks and see if they are the yellow Bilsteins (only available on a Sport package).

That would be great advice if it wasn't backwards.

Here's what it really is:
Hard S = Sport Package car
Sport S = non-Sport car

Unfortunately, the actual Mazda Sport Package (the one that reads as "Hard S" on the doorjamb sticker) was not available in conjunction with any other packages in 1999, including the Leather Package.

[channelmaniac]

What POS is trying to tell you is that the SPORT S is the standard stock springs & shocks.

RJ

[David Crisford]

You can tell me all day long that it's not a "sport" suspension, if you drove it you'd think differently.
My butt doesn't lie to me....

[channelmaniac]

Maybe you can look under it and see if you have some aftermarket shocks in there...

[Treibenschnell]

You can tell me all day long that it's not a "sport" suspension, if you drove it you'd think differently.
My butt doesn't lie to me....

The man knows what he has...

[David Crisford]

Thanks Treib,
Although I'm a newby around here I was told by my mother that at the age of 2 I could disassemble just about anything. It took me a few years to learn how to put it back together though......I went on to auto/diesel mechanics and got burned out on that after about 6-7years, I've been in telecommunications and electronics for about 30 years and IT about 5.

I'd like folks to take me for my word but if they insist I'll share a little background to encourage them.....
I'll also be the first to tell you what I don't know...
Later

[trackdog]

Your swaybars may need greasing as they will make your car ride harsh if they can not move freely in their bushing. Take them apart at the bushing mount and grease.

As for the aero stuff, if you have the side pieces they drill into the body area and will leave exposed holes. If you want to get rid of them I am interested in them.

Gary

[POS Racing]

You can tell me all day long that it's not a "sport" suspension, if you drove it you'd think differently.
My butt doesn't lie to me....

Wonder how much the following plays into the harsh ride.

My left rear shock is leaking and needs to be replaced.

[riverracer]

David I don't know about your ride problem but I still have that Bose speaker....It's free just come and get it.....