GB: GROUND CONTROL + KONI SPORT Coilovers for Mazdaspeed 3!

[Dimenus]

How does the top mount fit back together? I can't see how the ball bearings would be reused.

Tappin'

[bennyzoom]

So I got my ground control + Koni's installed at a shop, the height was set to relatively stock height. I got on the highway on my way back home and one of my rear springs totally unseated itself and popped off the seat in the middle of the road. The other rear spring was also slightly off position as well.

Called the shop and had it towed back, they actually found the spring on the side of the highway.

After further examination, it appears that when the suspension is fully stretched, there is no tension on the springs to hold it in place. The roads are really shitty around the area, tons of bumps and dips, which probably caused it to unseat itself.

Did I get the wrong springs? How long are they supposed to be? Mine was about 6 inches.

Even if lowered some more, I still feel that the spring can also pop off.
What height settings do you guys have it at?

So at this point, I really don't know what to do. I am not too thrilled with the ground controls so far, it just feels really unstable.

[justinsane87]

Originally Posted by bennyzoom So I got my ground control + Koni's installed at a shop, the height was set to relatively stock height. I got on the highway on my way back home and one of my rear springs totally unseated itself and popped off the seat in the middle of the road. The other rear spring was also slightly off position as well. Called the shop and had it towed back, they actually found the spring on the side of the highway. After further examination, it appears that when the suspension is fully stretched, there is no tension on the springs to hold it in place. The roads are really shitty around the area, tons of bumps and dips, which probably caused it to unseat itself. Did I get the wrong springs? How long are they supposed to be? Mine was about 6 inches. Even if lowered some more, I still feel that the spring can also pop off. What height settings do you guys have it at? So at this point, I really don't know what to do. I am not too thrilled with the ground controls so far, it just feels really unstable.

That makes me nervous now, I wasn't planning on lowering that much and the roads are terrible here too in Edmonton.

[JDMJOSH]

@bennyzoom The position of the collars in your pictures suggests they were lowered almost as far as they can go, not stock height which makes it even more puzzling as to why they came loose. This is worrisome, I was all set to install the kit this weekend but I am going to hold off for a while untill we know what the hell is going on.

Using limit straps to hold everything in place is bullshit, this is supposed to be a complete kit, not "requiring modification"

[Helrich]

This was brought up earlier in the thread, you can get/make straps to keep the springs from falling out (just like a real rase kar™!)

[- POD -]

Originally Posted by JDMJOSH @bennyzoom The position of the collars in your pictures suggests they were lowered almost as far as they can go, not stock height which makes it even more puzzling as to why they came loose. This is worrisome, I was all set to install the kit this weekend but I am going to hold off for a while untill we know what the hell is going on.

I'm not thrilled about this as well. I understand that I/we can make limiting straps (and it looks like we may have to), but I thought it was (or was hoping it was) a direct bolt in.

I suppose I could lobby my MLA to fix our hellish roads...


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[Mattyhawk1]

@bennyzoom;

That is so wrong, the rear springs appear to be totally wrong for this platform. I know we can use limiting straps, but that is not mentioned anywhere in the GC website or other documentation before buying.

[461_SS]

I have not gotten my kit yet, but why don't you just strap a small chain that loops around the spring/suspension to keep the spring tied in the pocket? Honestly though in my mind GC should have a tube that comes down over the spring to keep it in place while still having access to the adjuster.

What are the size of the springs that other companies are running in the rear?

[timmcc02]

Originally Posted by JDMJOSH @bennyzoom The position of the collars in your pictures suggests they were lowered almost as far as they can go, not stock height which makes it even more puzzling as to why they came loose. This is worrisome, I was all set to install the kit this weekend but I am going to hold off for a while untill we know what the hell is going on. Using limit straps to hold everything in place is bullshit, this is supposed to be a complete kit, not "requiring modification"

He's actually adjusted at max height. He needs to lower it half an inch and should be fine.

[PoweredByDeez]

People in Auto X swear by this setup.

[yourname2221]

Originally Posted by justinsane87 That makes me nervous now, I wasn't planning on lowering that much and the roads are terrible here too in Edmonton.

and I quote.

Originally Posted by Chimmike The springs definitely aren't coming unseated with that much weight from these cars.

Originally Posted by 461_SS Too many people worry on this forum.

[JDMJOSH]

Originally Posted by timmcc02 He's actually adjusted at max height. He needs to lower it half an inch and should be fine.

Your absolutely right, my mistake. Still, if adjusting a half inch will solve his problem what happens to those of us in the winter who need to adjust back to stock height? Do we need to worry about the rear spring flying out of the car again? My confidence level in this setup is not where it needs to be...

[timmcc02]

Originally Posted by JDMJOSH Your absolutely right, my mistake. Still, if adjusting a half inch will solve his problem what happens to those of us in the winter who need to adjust back to stock height? Do we need to worry about the rear spring flying out of the car again? My confidence level in this setup is not where it needs to be...

What is the reason for being at stock height during winter? This GC kit is not like your slamming your car

[Jdraps13]

Did anyone end up getting a measurement for limiting straps

[JDMJOSH]

Originally Posted by timmcc02 What is the reason for being at stock height during winter? This GC kit is not like your slamming your car

We don't live in Southern California, with all the snow, ice and God knows what else (not to mention our roads are shit in the first place) . Trust me, every little bit counts.

My whole reason for going with coil overs was to be able to adjust height/stiffness as I please . Not just for aesthetic reasons, but functionality as well. If I just wanted to drop it a few inches I'd have gone with some lowering springs and called it a day

[bennyzoom]

Originally Posted by JDMJOSH We don't live in Southern California, with all the snow, ice and God knows what else (not to mention our roads are shit in the first place) . Trust me, every little bit counts. My whole reason for going with coil overs was to be able to adjust height/stiffness as I please . Not just for aesthetic reasons, but functionality as well. If I just wanted to drop it a few inches I'd have gone with some lowering springs and called it a day

My point exactly, I wanted to be able to adjust the height at will. Now it seems that you must lower it a considerable amount so that the chances of the spring popping off is less likely to happen.

[timmcc02]

Originally Posted by bennyzoom My point exactly, I wanted to be able to adjust the height at will. Now it seems that you must lower it a considerable amount so that the chances of the spring popping off is less likely to happen.

The car sits pretty high to being with, half an inch Lower than stock is not a huge deal. I would say our roads are some of the worst known to mankind

[- POD -]

Originally Posted by timmcc02 What is the reason for being at stock height during winter? This GC kit is not like your slamming your car

20140617_095032.jpg
20140617_091246.jpg

Hazards like this are not uncommon in Edmonton. While the GC kit would not have faired any better than the stock suspension, the option to be at stock height is a real benefit. At stock height I plow snow as it is. There are also driveways that I drag the front valance on trying to get up.

There are 4 of us (to my knowledge) from Edmonton that purchased this kit. I can't speak for all of us, but I know myself personally I was looking for a bolt in kit that would improve handling and reduce suspension bounce while maintaining stock height or while dropping the height just a little (0.5 to 1 inch). This kit appeared to be exactly the ticket.

Now however, it sounds like there are some issues that need to be sorted out before the install. I'm not against trouble shooting or making limiting straps to let this kit work, I just need to know exactly what needs to be done to let this kit work in an area where the roads are very, VERY, bad and where I will probably run a 0.5 to 1 inch drop in the summer and run at stock height in the winter.

[JDMJOSH]

Originally Posted by timmcc02 The car sits pretty high to being with, half an inch Lower than stock is not a huge deal. I would say our roads are some of the worst known to mankind

I've done a fair bit of driving in SoCal. Trust me, your roads ain't that bad.

[timmcc02]

Originally Posted by JDMJOSH I've done a fair bit of driving in SoCal. Trust me, your roads ain't that bad.

Some areas yes but anywhere near LA is fucking terrible. I wish I could live back in Florida again just for the roads

[Jdraps13]

Can someone that has these installed jack up their car until the spring is just about to unseat and pull a measurement for limiting straps please that's the solution here

[RPM]

FYI, I'm out of town, but I have an email in to GC about this.

[moonrider_99]

Originally Posted by timmcc02 Some areas yes but anywhere near LA is fucking terrible. I wish I could live back in Florida again just for the roads

Originally Posted by JDMJOSH I've done a fair bit of driving in SoCal. Trust me, your roads ain't that bad.

People who live in the south of US have NO IDEA how bad roads are in Canada. I spent half of my life there and I guarantee you that between the harsh winters and heavy semis (much higher weight limits than in US) the roads are terrible. The worst piece of road in LA is considered average for a Canadian. And, in the winter, every inch of clearance counts when you driving through 1+ feet of snow....

[moonrider_99]

I was thinking of purchasing the GC kit, not anymore.

If the kit is designed to work between 0-2.x inches of drop, there should be no reason for a spring to literally fly off the car at any height... Even if you drop your car by an inch, I guarantee that there's plenty of times when rear suspension will extend enough to allow for the spring to move out of position during driving, I don't even want to imagine what could happen on a track with some level changes, etc.

This is frankly a serious safety hazard. In a society when we are warned that coffee from McDonalds is hot, I have difficulty understanding how it is acceptable to design and sell a product with such a major safety flaw.

[daafisch]

Doubt this will help ease any of your "fears" but I finally got to run mine at autox today. The lot that we ran on was extremely bumpy to which one spot was kind of a small jump for lighter cars. There were numerous times that I went slightly off line and had trouble breaking because the lot was so uneven. With that said I didn't have 1 issue with my suspension and rear was definitely close to fully extended a few times.

I've also been driving all over CT and NY (including the awful roads in NYC) and I've had no issues (I drive at least 100 miles per day). To enter my driveway I have 1 wheel come off the ground every time. The only way I can see anything possibly happening like this is if both wheels came completely off the ground. From what I remember when installing them even with the back of the car in the air the spring was still not completely free to just fall out. I have my height set the same as the images posted above.

I know some of you are looking into limiting straps but couldn't it also be possible to either install a longer spring or even use helper springs?

[Jdraps13]

Originally Posted by daafisch Doubt this will help ease any of your "fears" but I finally got to run mine at autox today. The lot that we ran on was extremely bumpy to which one spot was kind of a small jump for lighter cars. There were numerous times that I went slightly off line and had trouble breaking because the lot was so uneven. With that said I didn't have 1 issue with my suspension and rear was definitely close to fully extended a few times. I've also been driving all over CT and NY (including the awful roads in NYC) and I've had no issues (I drive at least 100 miles per day). To enter my driveway I have 1 wheel come off the ground every time. The only way I can see anything possibly happening like this is if both wheels came completely off the ground. From what I remember when installing them even with the back of the car in the air the spring was still not completely free to just fall out. I have my height set the same as the images posted above. I know some of you are looking into limiting straps but couldn't it also be possible to either install a longer spring or even use helper springs?

Would helper springs really work tho without a damper to keep it in place, just spring on spring doesn't seem like it would work

[jeffdevo]

I just want a little drop and slightly stiffer set up. this is a huge concern for me, think I may switch to a different spring combo that has been proven and reliable so far.

[Dimenus]

Originally Posted by jeffdevo I just want a little drop and slightly stiffer set up. this is a huge concern for me, think I may switch to a different spring combo that has been proven and reliable so far.

@bennyzoom;. I have no idea how you have so much clearance with the LCA still attached. I was able to pull the spring out when it was completely unloaded but It took some maneuvering.

For what it's worth, I'm quite happy with mine so far. Seems to absorb small bumps much better than stock even with the 525/600 springs.

I'm going to need to adjust my shocks though. It's very bouncy over dips in the road and speed bumps. I didn't fiddle with them out of the kit.

[Mattyhawk1]

Anyone coming from another spring setup, like Eibach, Cobb or Swift? If so, How does it feel in comparison?

Are the spring rates shown on GC spec springs comparable to the spring rates from other companies?

[jeffdevo]

I'm a car noob, but I just convinced the wife to let me buy this car and that even a baby seat will fit... Thanks Dimenus but at this rate of two cars of having springs pop off, (10% +) I can't put this on my car....

Originally Posted by Dimenus @bennyzoom;. I have no idea how you have so much clearance with the LCA still attached. I was able to pull the spring out when it was completely unloaded but It took some maneuvering. For what it's worth, I'm quite happy with mine so far. Seems to absorb small bumps much better than stock even with the 525/600 springs. I'm going to need to adjust my shocks though. It's very bouncy over dips in the road and speed bumps. I didn't fiddle with them out of the kit.

[timmcc02]

Originally Posted by jeffdevo I'm a car noob, but I just convinced the wife to let me buy this car and that even a baby seat will fit... Thanks Dimenus but at this rate of two cars of having springs pop off, (10% +) I can't put this on my car....

It was only one car and he probably has his control arm bolts loose. my spring doesnt fall out when lifted. so unless he dukes of hazards his car on a rally course i cant see how this is possible. He should call GC and find out what they recommend.

[justint5387]

Just put in 7 inch springs if you are going to run the car that high.

[Ewind]

Originally Posted by bennyzoom So I got my ground control + Koni's installed at a shop, the height was set to relatively stock height. I got on the highway on my way back home and one of my rear springs totally unseated itself and popped off the seat in the middle of the road. The other rear spring was also slightly off position as well. Called the shop and had it towed back, they actually found the spring on the side of the highway. After further examination, it appears that when the suspension is fully stretched, there is no tension on the springs to hold it in place. The roads are really shitty around the area, tons of bumps and dips, which probably caused it to unseat itself. Did I get the wrong springs? How long are they supposed to be? Mine was about 6 inches. Even if lowered some more, I still feel that the spring can also pop off. What height settings do you guys have it at? So at this point, I really don't know what to do. I am not too thrilled with the ground controls so far, it just feels really unstable.

I think you got the wrong rear springs.

I don't see them in this list (based on what you have stamped on the spring):
Ground Control Suspension Systems - GC Spec Springs

Plus the other person a page back asking what spring rate was in the rear had 8" springs.

edit: it looks like other gen 2 cars got 6" springs as well?

The guy who got 8" springs was a gen 1

[Crarrs]

To the people having these pop-out issues: What driving type did you spec when you ordered? I'm only going to assume that some people picked "Aggressive" and are trying to make their cars work as uncompromised street cars.

Originally Posted by Ewind I think you got the wrong rear springs. I don't see them in this list (based on what you have stamped on the spring): Ground Control Suspension Systems - GC Spec Springs

That list is only the "custom" GC spring application list. Eibach makes a shitload of other springs that aren't on that list.

[Ewind]

Originally Posted by Crarrs To the people having these pop-out issues: What driving type did you spec when you ordered? I'm only going to assume that some people picked "Aggressive" and are trying to make their cars work as uncompromised street cars. That list is only the "custom" GC spring application list. Eibach makes a shitload of other springs that aren't on that list.

That would be good information to know.
FYI I chose occasional autocross with touring feel.
Haven't received my kit yet.

Yeah, that is why I edited my post to acknowledge that other gen 2's got that spring.

[justinsane87]

I asked for dd touring, I'm not at home to measure them though

[- POD -]

I'll measure my springs in an hour or so. I selected Daily Driver Aggressive when I ordered.

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Originally Posted by justinsane87 I asked for dd touring, I'm not at home to measure them though

When I looked at our kits the springs were identical (from what I could tell).

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[- POD -]

6" springs on the rear.

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[Chimmike]

if you are running a rear sway bar, these are not going to come out driving on the street, OR the track. I just don't see it happening now.

[justinsane87]

Guess I'm buying a rsb now lol, was planning on it eventually anyways