So I just installed my shocks today and for some reason the front of the car sits higher. I know that shocks alone dont raise a car but can it be different with Bilsteins? Ive had Bilsteins in the past for my 98 Cobra and my 04 Cobra but i dont recall it being like that, maybe because they were heavier cars? Right now the car has Mazdaspeed6 front springs and stock rear springs. The ride is excellent btw with the speed6 front springs, theyre stiffer than stock so less nose dive. With the stock shocks it sat perfect with a two finger gap at each wheel but now with the Bilsteins its raised 3 fingers in front. For you guys who have installed Bilsteins, there is only one way that the spring perch goes in right? Also, on the top of the shock where the nut goes there is a small washer or spacer, is that optional to install or does it have to be there. I installed it with it there. Lastly, the Bilsteins come with a bumpstop on the shaft, and on the instructions it says to reinstall the oem dust cover boot. Inside the dust cover boot is there another bumpstop? I hope not because that would mean that I have two bumpstops installed. Seems like I have good suspension travel though. No odd noises or anything. Please help me guys. Its pretty frustrating. Also, sorry if this has been discussed before. Ive been searching on the Fusion forums and Mazda forums and cant find anything at all about fixing it. Im not the only one though, some people have had the same issue. I havent seen any answers though. Thanks in advance guys.
Bad angle but you get the picture. This is with the stock shocks and MS6 front springs and stock rear springs. Also, there is one person in the back seat and one person in the front passenger seat thats why it appears to be lower. It looks different after the Bilstein install, like a minivan kind of wheel gap.