Installed H-Tech, lower than expected?

[SunMax]

Before I bought the Tein H-Tech (with Tokico Blue), I did some extensive research because I don't want to suffer the ride comfort. I finally have it install and the first thing I notice when I got home was the mud guard rubbing against the speed bump in the underground garage.

I thought I had it figure out as I have been looking at other people's rides and they don't look like that low. Here are couple pictures.





Is it normal? BTW, the back seems same as before as well. Weird.

[Bonka]

Hey Sunny,

Since you're on stock wheels naturally it'll sit lower than someone else who has the same suspension, but with larger wheels because of the smaller diameter on the stock 16's. The fronts look fine to me.

Do you have any side shots, and did you install it yourself or at a shop? If the rears don't come down it might be because they didn't trim the bumpstop or incorrectly reinstalled the parts.

[Prophecy99]

i would consider removing the stock mudflaps as they look really close to the ground... and if you need mudflaps look into aftermarket for smaller sizes than the oem.

[MrDicks95SE]

either trim the flaps or remove them. that will solve your problem.

on what Bonka said.

[PulsarGTS]

Originally Posted by Bonka

Hey Sunny,

Since you're on stock wheels naturally it'll sit lower than someone else who has the same suspension, but with larger wheels because of the smaller diameter on the stock 16's. The fronts look fine to me.

Do you have any side shots, and did you install it yourself or at a shop? If the rears don't come down it might be because they didn't trim the bumpstop or incorrectly reinstalled the parts.

Larger rims don't raise your car only the tires do, and if they are sized properly as to not throw off the speedo your ride height will not be effected.

And bumpstops don't effect how high a car sits unless its freaking slammed. If anything he should just have a choppy ride from hitting the stops but I seriously doubt the car is resting on them. The rear springs just may not lower it much or have even settled yet.

Finding smaller OEM style mudflaps or just removing them completely seem his best bet as Prophecy99 said.

[Bonka]

That's what I meant. Even if you properly matched tires the overall diameter is not exactly the same as stock, a difference of 1cm can be enough to allow you to clear or scrape.

I stated that as a legitimate possibility, especially since us 4th gens have little suspension travel left when lowered, mostly up front however the back isn't much better (hence the extended travel rear mounts) and would be exacerbated if the bumpstop wasn't trimmed. I do agree that the H and S Techs tend to give a pronounced "raked" look and it could seem like the rear didn't change in height at all, but we can't tell as there are no pics of the rear drop.

[96blkonblkse]

Ahh i wouldnt take the mud flaps off, IMO it ruins the lines of the car and your sides will get pelted with rocks/dirt.

Trust me i drove without mine for 6 months, i put them back on, the car looks better IMO and it stays cleaner longer..

Anyways, you think thats bad, from the ground to the top of my fender i have 25.2" with stock mudflaps, they make terrible noises going over speed bumps, but they have NEVER come off, and ive hit some nasty things with them lol.

Alternatively you could trim them slightly, generally a half inch is all it takes..

Welcome to the lowered club, get use to things grounding out and scraping lol.

[z32drifter]

I have S-techs on my car the the mud flaps rub once in a while. All the Tein springs tend to give the car some rake, with the front being lower. I think it's one of the things that make cars with their springs look good. I'd just ignore the mudflap rub, mine have held up with out any issues.

[MidN1te]

Hey guys.. been awhile since i've been here since i sold my 02 max for an 05 s2000... i just found myself back into an 02 max as my daily while my s sits at home lol.

anyways.. i was lowered on the tien s techs with tokico's... well when i hit the bumps or anything big enough.. man that car hit HARD>. i was told it was the bump stops.. but how do i cut them? they kinda look like 2 ba'lls mooshed together right? do i just cut it in half?

[PulsarGTS]

Originally Posted by MidN1te

Hey guys.. been awhile since i've been here since i sold my 02 max for an 05 s2000... i just found myself back into an 02 max as my daily while my s sits at home lol.

anyways.. i was lowered on the tien s techs with tokico's... well when i hit the bumps or anything big enough.. man that car hit HARD>. i was told it was the bump stops.. but how do i cut them? they kinda look like 2 ba'lls mooshed together right? do i just cut it in half?

You have to cut like 20mm off of the bump stops I believe. S-techs are kinda soft for lowering springs too. I would recommend replacing them before the boot seperates from the bump stop too. To cut them you need to take the strut apart unfortunitly. Advance autoparts sell some decent bumpstops with boots.

[ShIft_uR FacE]

Originally Posted by MidN1te

Hey guys.. been awhile since i've been here since i sold my 02 max for an 05 s2000... i just found myself back into an 02 max as my daily while my s sits at home lol.

anyways.. i was lowered on the tien s techs with tokico's... well when i hit the bumps or anything big enough.. man that car hit HARD>. i was told it was the bump stops.. but how do i cut them? they kinda look like 2 ba'lls mooshed together right? do i just cut it in half?

You were probably bottoming out since you're so low. Happened to me when i had my progress springs on. Bumpstops wont make a diff if thats the case.


Also, to the OP...Automatics sit lower than manuals. I didnt expect my car to get so low either.