Bad Shocks?? Fender Rolling?? Heavy Load?? I need some help!

[omalak]

My car has been lowered on Eibach Springs for the last 2 years..

I am on Tenzo Type M wheels 18x8 with a 45offset i believe. I was running Falken ZIEX 912 tires until about 2 weeks ago (225/40/18)

I switched them up to the Yokohama S.Drives abouts 2 weeks ago at Exclusive. Again tire size is 225/40/18

So the last few days i was out with my family, and we were takin my car, and a few times i heard this ODD sound, kind of like a pop, like something hitting metal.

This happened, once when I was on the highway, I hit a bump, not a pothole, but just the road being a little higher than what it was a few meteres before.

The next time I heard the pop was when I went over some train tracks.

Both pops happened on the same day, same trip, I got out had a quick look everything seemed ok.

Today I was cleaning the wheels and noticed the rear fenders are a little bent from one spot, the easiest way to explain it is that the inner lip of the fender was pulled out.

So I have come to conclude, when my full family is in the car, naturally my car gets lower, whenever i hit a bump it seems the wheel is bottoming out OR catching a bit of the fender. When the wheel comes back down it tries to pull the fender with it.

How can I determine if the shocks are bad?

Has anyone else on prokits and 18's with 225/40/18 experienced the same thing?

Funny thing is, while I was on the Falken's i cant recall this happening!, also had an alignment done last week.. :/


Note: Family is, Parents + Brother (18) + Sister(14) + Me.
Total weight Approx 740 pounds

[shu5892001]

18x8 +45 is already pushing the limit and my guess is the S drivers are a meatier tire than the Falkens, hence the rubbing

[omalak]

I guess rolling maybe the only option?

I do want to verify there is nothing wrong with the shocks. Is the only visual way to tell by looking for a leaking strut?

hmm...

[shu5892001]

I guess rolling maybe the only option?

I do want to verify there is nothing wrong with the shocks. Is the only visual way to tell by looking for a leaking strut?

hmm...

Is the ride really bouncy? Does the shock bottom out very very often... like very time there is a considerably deep pot hole?

[MistaChin]

Os, check for leaks in the rear struts and do the bounce test.

[PearlM3]

Sounds like your fender is clipping the wheel and pulling back, check your fender for any deformities and that will tell u every thing

[omalak]

I dont see leaks, it seems to be fine aside from when everyone is in the car, mind you when everyone is in the car does get a hell of a lot lower lol.

I think shu might be right in saying the s drives are a bit wider at any given size than many other tires.

I am going to confirm thos with John on Tuesday.

Looks like i will be needed a fender roll :/.

Got a small paint chip on the inner fender now aswell have to go touch it up scared of rusting lol..

Will keep you guys posted

[Shawn]

Shocks have nothing to do with ride height, just so you know.

[Noisy Crow]

The ZE912 shoulder is pretty rounded.... what is like on the s-drives?

Hmmmmmm....... just found this using Google:
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=515959

The easiest way to be sure of what is hitting would be to go Jimmy and have him remove the spring, and then swing the wheel through it's full travel.

A mild fender rolling would probably fix the problem Another option would be to dial in more camber if you have adjustable links installed

[omalak]

I,ve got adjustable links Rick.


PearlM3 got it, its about. 2 inch length of the rear fenders (closer to the doors) thst end up getting clipped by the tires and then pulled back out as the tire returns to normal position.

There ARE deformaties on both fenders on the inner side the sheet metal has separated in about maybe a 1 inch area. No rivets popped.

I guess i do need a roll. The s drives MUST be a bit wider for sure.

So does anyone know if a mild roll costs as much as a full roll? Any places other than Peter that do it?

I will post pocs of deformaties soon. Hoping this doesnt cause too much of a rusting problem for me now

Thanks

[omalak]

Pictures

http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/ii334/omalak/799c7ec9.jpg

http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/ii334/omalak/c1ddbe1c.jpg

[nitsuji]

I had this problem last year when I got my Works but I was lower than you (on BCs). I heard the exact sound you mentioned. I heard a "pop" every time I went through a dip in the road. Luckily I had camber arms and got Pat from Altech to set my camber a little outside of the stock range before I could get my fenders rolled. Have you checked the shoulders of your tires? I had very thin (small) pieces of rubber slice off.

[omalak]

I had this problem last year when I got my Works but I was lower than you (on BCs). I heard the exact sound you mentioned. I heard a "pop" every time I went through a dip in the road. Luckily I had camber arms and got Pat from Altech to set my camber a little outside of the stock range before I could get my fenders rolled. Have you checked the shoulders of your tires? I had very thin (small) pieces of rubber slice off.


Exactly what i saw, thin slices of rubber. At first i thought ok its a new tire maybe its normal... Umm no! Then i connected the dots.

My rear camber is at -1.6 on the left and -2.0 on the right. Toe of 0.05 on both wheels. Can anyone tell me if here are issues with these numbers?

I heard tires23 use to do fender rolls. Just sent them an email to see if that's still the case

[PearlM3]

I'm lowered on Canuck motorsports, and had to have my fenders rolled, be very careful where you go, I love the guys at Nextmod but they did mine and on one side the paint split in 4 places, realistically though if you factor in the cost of tires(if you run more camber you will most likely have to replace your tires at least every summer)getting your fenders rolled, and then if the paint splits eventually just having them re-painted is most likely cheaper in the long run. Especially at $700 a pop for tires. The long and short of it all is that I wish I had just done my rolling myself. Could have saved a few bucks.

[omalak]

Thanks for the detailed input PearlM3 I would not feel comfortable bending sheets of metal on my car lol, In theean time please flip me any local shops you guys know do fender rolling.

[xdutrax]

Thanks for the detailed input PearlM3 I would not feel comfortable bending sheets of metal on my car lol, In theean time please flip me any local shops you guys know do fender rolling.

Nextmod, $120 for 2 fenders I believe.

[omalak]

Given the info above I would like to find some alternatives to NextMod :)

[S.F.W.]

Given the info above I would like to find some alternatives to NextMod :)

When rolling fenders on the 3...there is a very strong likely hood the paint will crack. I would say 85% of Mazda3's that have rolled fenders had some paint cracking during the process.

[omalak]

When rolling fenders on the 3...there is a very strong likely hood the paint will crack. I would say 85% of Mazda3's that have rolled fenders had some paint cracking during the process.

Bah! Thanks for that bit of info.

I assume the whole fender needs to then be repainted?


UPDATE: Just got in touch with Edward from Advance Power House, they do fender rolls for 120 a pair. I wonder if the person doing it is a shared resource between NextMod and APH? Input anyone?

[Noisy Crow]

When rolling fenders on the 3...there is a very strong likely hood the paint will crack. I would say 85% of Mazda3's that have rolled fenders had some paint cracking during the process.

You could probably take steps to minimize the risk of cracking.... Since the only a short section of fender is getting caught, one roll that part. Plus, only roll enough to guarantee the tire clears - don't need to go past that point.

[omalak]

You could probably take steps to minimize the risk of cracking.... Since the only a short section of fender is getting caught, one roll that part. Plus, only roll enough to guarantee the tire clears - don't need to go past that point.

True,

but that begs the question, if you pay 100+ for fender rolling why not go all the way and roll to the max.. get your moneys worth lol.. I'm gonna call up APH on Tuesday i'm sure they can advise me on the best option.

[Noisy Crow]

if you pay 100+ for fender rolling why not go all the way and roll to the max.. get your moneys worth lol

Well.... if it were my car: I'd have them start with the section that hits and roll only as much as necessary. If the paint doesn't crack.... call it done. If the paint does crack doing those sections, then do a full roll as you'll be paying for paint repair anyway.

[omalak]

Well.... if it were my car: I'd have them start with the section that hits and roll only as much as necessary. If the paint doesn't crack.... call it done. If the paint does crack doing those sections, then do a full roll as you'll be paying for paint repair anyway.

True,

The wait till Tuesday is killing me. I hope by bending the inner fender lip i am not more prone to rust, as the sheet metal has separated :/

[wmzda5]

Thats the same thing that happened to my mazda5, the 5 sits heavier than the 3 so it bottoms up when I hit a dip on the road whether I'm alone or with the family. I remember the bounce test in the old days in my old cars but its difficult to tell with the mazda 5. I guess the RSB is distributing the load to the unaffected wheel. Same thing happened to me just got an alignment @ LEVEL auto due to powdery rubber deposits I'm seeing everytime on the wheel area and suspects alignment problem. Then have to install SPC camber link kit and do the alignmenmt again. Then I noticed the fender catching the tires when it bottoms. Just replace the rear shocks with senatrac/OES (monroe) and the problem is now gone.

Oh and also I rolled the fender using a basebal bat, and 2 jacks. just be careful, use heat gun to minimize paint cracking.

[omalak]

Thats the same thing that happened to my mazda5, the 5 sits heavier than the 3 so it bottoms up when I hit a dip on the road whether I'm alone or with the family. I remember the bounce test in the old days in my old cars but its difficult to tell with the mazda 5. I guess the RSB is distributing the load to the unaffected wheel. Same thing happened to me just got an alignment @ LEVEL auto due to powdery rubber deposits I'm seeing everytime on the wheel area and suspects alignment problem. Then have to install SPC camber link kit and do the alignmenmt again. Then I noticed the fender catching the tires when it bottoms. Just replace the rear shocks with senatrac/OES (monroe) and the problem is now gone.

Oh and also I rolled the fender using a basebal bat, and 2 jacks. just be careful, use heat gun to minimize paint cracking.



Did you end up cracking your paint? I have an appointment booked with APH for this coming Thursday for rolling. $120.00

How far up did you roll? if you have pics that would be great :)

[thanu31]

had the same problem a few days ago, rented out the roller and did it myself, turned out pretty good i think, no cracking at all. but i did take a lot of time doing it

[omalak]

had the same problem a few days ago, rented out the roller and did it myself, turned out pretty good i think, no cracking at all. but i did take a lot of time doing it

Wanna help me out? :p You are in the same neighbourhood

[thanu31]

could help you out, but you should take a look at how mine turned out to see if its good enough

[omalak]

could help you out, but you should take a look at how mine turned out to see if its good enough

Yeah, think i may just drop by to check your out, I'll send you a pm :)

[wmzda5]

Did you end up cracking your paint? I have an appointment booked with APH for this coming Thursday for rolling. $120.00

How far up did you roll? if you have pics that would be great :)

Its already cracked in the first place dur to the rubbing. Just put it back up a little better than original. I cant do higher with my setup due to its difficult to maneuver the bat.

[omalak]

Well headed over to APH today and got the fenders rolled, it eas a minor roll. They did not roll them all he way up, edward said there is a chance the shape of he fender would bend out of shape. So i settled for the slight roll.

So far it seems ok, but i'll keep an eye on it. I think they could have rolled them a bit higher, but whatever.

It doesnt seem too hard when using a roller. Took about an hour and 120 bucks lol

[thanu31]

hey, i thought you were going to pm me, mine are almost fully rolled up

[woodsball_delight]

thanu do you still have the roller? we should have done a GI or GB where everyone chips in.

[Noisy Crow]

They did not roll them all he way up, edward said there is a chance the shape of he fender would bend out of shape. So i settled for the slight roll.


Having the edge of the fender bent in an "L" shape adds a tremedous amount of rigidity. Rolling redudes the rigidity -- completely rolling the edge flat means it is _much_ easier to accidentally bend the panel when leaning on it etc.

[thanu31]

i rented it for one day, it would be a good idea if a bunch of you chipped in and did a rolling day.

[wmzda5]

Having the edge of the fender bent in an "L" shape adds a tremedous amount of rigidity. Rolling redudes the rigidity -- completely rolling the edge flat means it is _much_ easier to accidentally bend the panel when leaning on it etc.

EXACTLY !!!!!