Just ordered new tokicos - any install tips?

[Mustang Matt]

I've never worked on Mazda suspension. Tokicos are on the way.

I assume I can just stick a jack under the front control arms and loosen the strut nut and slowly lower the jack and the strut/spring comes out together?

Same for the rear?

Thanks!

 

[CulRidr]

You don't even need to put it under the control arm because the spring is compressed "within" the strut. You WILL need a spring compressor to disassemble the whole thing though so that the spring doesn't kill you.

Just take apart the brakes, loosen all your nuts, and then you can just take it out.

 

[Matt22]

its pretty cake but make the locations of the your front strut mounts.
and consider replacing your rear ones for the Pro5 one sas they are a bit stronger according to this forum.

 

[Mustang Matt]

Problems

Well it was going super smooth until I got to unbolting the sway bar end links. Both the front and rear on the drivers side are stuck connected to the strut. It's the one where there's a headless bolt you can put a 5mm allen wrench in the inside and then 14mm nut on the outside. I've stripped the front nut I was pushing so hard.

Any advice on how to get these free? It's looking like I'm going to have to pull the sway bar so I can loosen the bottom connection and just replace them. I'm worried that I'll have the same problem with the bottom.

If I rip them open is there a bolt head I can get to on the back? That would be the simplest if so.

 

[bgibb68]

Well it was going super smooth until I got to unbolting the sway bar end links. Both the front and rear on the drivers side are stuck connected to the strut. It's the one where there's a headless bolt you can put a 5mm allen wrench in the inside and then 14mm nut on the outside. I've stripped the front nut I was pushing so hard.

Any advice on how to get these free? It's looking like I'm going to have to pull the sway bar so I can loosen the bottom connection and just replace them. I'm worried that I'll have the same problem with the bottom.

If I rip them open is there a bolt head I can get to on the back? That would be the simplest if so.

you might just have to cut them off and go get new ones....order a set oem or aftermarket....just hadda do that on my dad's van

 

[Mustang Matt]

But where would I cut them. I guess I could cut the bolt at the sway bar.

The pass front ball joint looks shot and the tie rod end doesn't look far behind it. Called a couple of auto parts stores but I guess those are dealer only items. I guess I'll call Mazda on Monday and see how much. Ball joints are just pressed out from the bottom with a loaner tool I assume?

 

[bgibb68]

yeah you cut at the bolt, where it connects to the strut and the sway bar. best tool is a air grinder with cutting wheel.....quick work, about 5 mins

 

[Mustang Matt]

Not a lot of room in there with the sway bar on the car so I couldn't get to it with the cutoff wheel very easily. I cut through one. I made a mistake and cut it on the back though and unfortunately it has a built in washer on the other side. Ultimately I got it out with a lot of cutting and brute force. Left the sway bar a little scarred.

Between the clunkity bushings and the end links, I'm not a huge fan of mazda's design.

Is there any site online that sells a set of four end links?

I got the pass rear apart with a lot of brute force. I thought for sure I was going to snap my allen wrench. I think I might as well replace it if I can get the bottom undone.

If I pull the sway bars I guess I'll replace all four bushings while I'm in here. Maybe the suspension will last another 7 years.

 

[CulRidr]

ya the stock endlinks suck (mine got cut when I replaced my suspension).

as for the bushings, don't bother with the front, you'll never get them off, and you shouldn't have to anyway.
As for the rears, get yourself a clunk fix from evolv and be done with it

 

[Mustang Matt]

The front ones won't come off? Glad I read this I was planning on pulling the bar today to replace them. If I just lift the bar without anything hooked up to it, it squeaks badly. It looks like they're easy enough to get to, what makes them difficult? I think I'll take your word for it and not touch them.

Also, I'm a bit of a newb around here so I don't know who evolv is, any links you could send me would be appreciated. I've replaced and greased them a few times and I'm getting sick of it. I thought about trying to modify them to add a grease fitting but if someone else has a better solution I think I'd go that route.

 

[bgibb68]

The front ones won't come off? Glad I read this I was planning on pulling the bar today to replace them. If I just lift the bar without anything hooked up to it, it squeaks badly. It looks like they're easy enough to get to, what makes them difficult? I think I'll take your word for it and not touch them.

Also, I'm a bit of a newb around here so I don't know who evolv is, any links you could send me would be appreciated. I've replaced and greased them a few times and I'm getting sick of it. I thought about trying to modify them to add a grease fitting but if someone else has a better solution I think I'd go that route.

if anything try some lithium grease.....that crap will last forever even gunked up

 

[ej2189]

mmm not really hard man I did mine myself I had to reorder the stock tokicos all 4 blew out since i had lowering springs ( tein s-specs ) i did it by myself in like 2 hours I just needed to go to autozone and buy a pair of spring compressers which ran me like 20 bucks

 

[stdntDrvr]

www.autoxracing.com

Evolv's website