Suspension Advice - Car feels a bit wallowy

[JensenA]

We have a '99 114k miles Eunos 1.8. Only had it for a month or so, and the car seems to be a bit 'wallowy' and doesn't feel as planted as I believe an MX5 should be.
A few weeks ago I let an MX5 enthusiast drive the car to check it out, he reckons the Shocks were shot, so based on that I have just bought a used pair of standard shocks from a 60k miles MX5 - money is too tight to afford £500 on GAZ's, so my thinking is that 60k miles shocks should be better than 114k ones! But yesterday I took the car to my local Garage where they have the MOT test and have a Shock Absorber Testing Gizmo that shakes the car around. According to this the Shocks are OK???
Before I fit the 'new' 60k shocks, is there anything else could cause the car to feel wallowy? Or should I take the chance and just see if they improve things?

[MX-5 Lazza]

Have you had the alignment checked? My bet is that it's a fair way out.
Out of interest, is it a Mk1 or Mk2? You say 99 Eunos but there was no 99 Eunos. The Eunos name was dropped when the Mk2 was launched... Wasn't it?

[JensenA]

Thanks for the quick reply - I'm still an MX5 novice so bear with me. It's a MK2, 2000 'V' Reg Roadster NR limited Edition 1.8 six speed.
The allignment hasn't been checked. Will correcting that cure the 'wallowiness'
Other symptoms...
It pulls slightly to the left.
Has a slight whine coming from the rear, if I just touch the steering wheel gently to the Right, it goes away until I let go.
Lifting off under acceleration it will pull to the left.

Seeing as I have the shocks I think I may as well fit them, or am I wasting my time?

Edited by JensenA on Saturday 22 May 10:49

[treadstone]

Take it for an alignment and ask the technician to make an appraisal of your suspension components. Might as well get a second opinion.

You'd be surprised by the difference a good full alignment makes on these cars, assuming your suspension is in good order.

Also, what tyres do you have on the car, and are they the same all round?

Let us know what part of the country you're in and I'm sure we can recommend a suitable alignment specialist.

[bluetone]

Find your nearest Hunter alignment machine here.

[JensenA]

Thanks for all your advice Guys.
I've gone and made a right cock up of putting the new shocks on though. I dis-assembled the shocks, did one very carefully and laid everything on the floor in the right order, then did a Mr.Clumsy and kicked them all over the garage floor
Put everything back in what I thought was the right order, but the car sits too high, bounces around like it's on rubber bands and clunks like feck.
Does anyone know where I can find an exploded diagram of the Shock's. or write doen for me the order on which everything goes.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Have you changed all 4 shocks or just a pair?
Were they shocks off of the same year of MX5?

[JensenA]

Yes they were of the same year, and same model, Mk2 1.8.
I've just cocked up putting all the components back in the wrong order.

There are - IIRC ...

Lower orange bumpstop
Small Black rubber bumpstop
Lare Black rubber bumpstop
Large Metal 'cup'
Small Metal 'cup'

I'm just about to take them off and take another look.

Edited by JensenA on Sunday 23 May 09:35

[JensenA]

Sorted - it was just me being a plonker
Just in case anyone else is as stupid (or as tired) as I was, here is the order
orange bump stop - large cup - large black rubber stop - mounting plate - small black rubber stop - small metal cup - Large nut - small nut.

Mind you I have been all day on the front shocks and still haven't finished - what a ba$tard of a job, There must be an easier way???.

[bluetone]

I've thought about diy shock replacement a few times and always concluded I couldn't be arsed and would vlget a workshop on the job should it be necessary - sounds a right royal ahole of a job.

[Gizmo!]

bluetone said:

I've thought about diy shock replacement a few times and always concluded I couldn't be arsed and would vlget a workshop on the job should it be necessary - sounds a right royal ahole of a job.

I keep thinking "sounds easy, I'll do that soon" and then I remember I'm an idiot. Better that someone who knows which end of a spanner is right does it

[OnlyMX5ives]

Mk2's do ride a bit higher and cutting a coil off or buying lowered springs helps a lot.

As a guide it takes me approx 3-4 hrs to change a set of shocks but I have done a few and have a ramp.

Wheels and tyres also have a massive effect but fro what you've said an alignment should be your first stop - BUT do some research and take your own settings in.