Question about Koni Shocks.

blizzardmx-5 · Post by **blizzardmx-5** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 2:25 pm

Hi, I just installed a set of Konis with stock springs.
My question is how come one side of my front camber can't get more negative than -0.7? (other side can reach -1.0)
I did lower more caster to try and get camber, but it didn't work.
I ended up cranking up caster to 6.6 and stayed with my -0.7 camber. Is this a right move?

Post by **Brian** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 7:29 pm

Did you let it settle before doing the alignment? The car may take a few days to settle to final height if you just did the install.

blizzardmx-5 · Post by **blizzardmx-5** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 9:51 pm

thx, now i m trying to drive as much as i can (don't usually drive much) to let the shocks settle. will do another alighnment later.
But i have one more question..... maybe two...
Do u think it is ok to drill a hole on the strut bar so I can access the front adjustable knobs? Or do u think there is no need because I will rarely touch that knob?
I would like to avoid drilling...
but if I were to drill it... I want to keep it as clean as possible.

Post by **Brian** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 5:00 am

Yes, okay to make the hole to get the knob on....folks do that regularly.

rpmchris · Post by **rpmchris** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 2:38 pm

Or just get the MS FSTB, which is open!

Post by **Brian** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 2:51 pm

Actually, the MazdaSpeed Front Shock Tower brace is NOT open on both sides. It has a major design flaw in this respect. It is open on the passenger side but on the driver's side the design blocks most adjustment knobs....so much so that you can't even install it with most adjustable coilovers and shocks. Given that many of the folks that would buy that brace are the same type who would consider adjustable shocks and coilovers....that's a pretty major design goof.

blizzardmx-5 · Post by **blizzardmx-5** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 6:00 pm

Also I beleive that replacing front tower bar is not legal for stock class as well.

sloopercat · Post by **sloopercat** » Wed May 02, 2007 2:50 am

The Mazdaspeed Tower Bar only needed about 6 swipes with a round file to give clearance for the JIC adjust knobs.

Mark Hirt · Post by **Mark Hirt** » Fri May 04, 2007 4:38 am

Brian wrote:Yes, okay to make the hole to get the knob on....folks do that regularly.

It is NOT legal, repeat NOT legal to put holes in the tower bar.

From the July 2006 Fastrack
2) Stock: The current rules (1b 3.5.F) do not allow for the addition of an access hole in either the exterior bodywork or strut bar to facilitate shock absorber adjustments. Such holes may only be added through interior panels. (ref. 06-123 and 06-022)

Post by **Brian** » Fri May 04, 2007 9:02 am

Mark is right and making a good point about stock class rules....I was answering the question in terms of whether or not it hurt the functionality of the bar...which it does not.