Shocks Struts on the p5 when to replace them?

P-Funk! said:
usually good for 60K miles or so...

Symptoms are ruined (cupped) tires and jouncy ride.

Look for evidence of oil on the wheels.

Anyway - replace at 60K.

Had the tires replaced today (they weren't cupped, various other problems though). While the wheels were off the technician pointed out that there was oil on the left front shock. When I got it home I did the bounce test on both front sides and couldn't see a difference. So maybe the left shock is starting to leak but it still works? The car has always creaked a little on the left side when turning right out of a steep driveway but that never seemed like a red flag since Proteges are not known for being tight noise free vehicles.

What does "jouncy" mean? The P5 ride has always been pretty bumpy but it doesn't feel "floaty" and partially out of control like other cars I've driven before with bad shocks. If it goes over a bump it goes up and down once without continuing to oscillate.

Ballpark, what does it cost to replace all the shocks on a P5? Original equipment equivalent replacement parts, nothing fancy.
 
At the dealership? 90 bucks for each strut. $72.10 each from onlinemazdaparts.com, and I think they do free shipping on some orders.

You can PM bagman1 on here, he's from the site.

You can see the parts listing for the left front and right front here:
http://www.trademotion.com/partloca...=2003&graphicID=F699060&callout=9&catalogid=1

Oh ok only $54.04 each for the rear ones: http://www.trademotion.com/partloca...3&make=22&model=Protege&year=2003&catalogid=1

You might also want to replace the dust shield and maybe the "spring seat" for each of them (the spring seat is just the little piece of rubber between the spring and the strut on the bottom).
 
Maybe I should I should start looking at new struts. I'm over 102,000 miles on stock struts and have been lowered on eibachs since 2003.
 
rednecks_r_us said:
Maybe I should I should start looking at new struts. I'm over 102,000 miles on stock struts and have been lowered on eibachs since 2003.

oh man, I'd say they are probably pretty dead by now. I went over a year lowered on goldlines (too low for their own good) and mine were ok though.
 
I thought for sure mine were done at 64k miles since 20k or so of the miles were lowered on goldlines.. 4 tokico HPs and 4 new endlinks later, it rides just as rough haha
 
KanseiZM said:
I thought for sure mine were done at 64k miles since 20k or so of the miles were lowered on goldlines.. 4 tokico HPs and 4 new endlinks later, it rides just as rough haha
You're saying you noticed no difference?
 
Dim said:
You're saying you noticed no difference?

yessir. none at all. I think my springs suck too much to notice any difference, as everything is outweighed by the overly harsh ride. Goldlines FTL
 
I see. But as far as the stock struts, was your car beginning to bounce too much before you switched to tokico hp shocks?
 
Dim said:
I see. But as far as the stock struts, was your car beginning to bounce too much before you switched to tokico hp shocks?

Bounce too much? yes. It still does though. Like I said I blame my springs for all the problems with the modern world.
 
If anyone needs them, I have a set of stock struts that were on my car for less than 20k (they're just youngins).

If you want them PM me and we'll work something out.
 
I replaced the stock struts in our P5 at around 70k miles. I had a problem with what I thought could be suspension noise. It turned out it was a combination of a bent subframe brace (the one you jack the car up on) and a torn lower control arm bushing. The struts were actually fine.

I replaced them Tokico Illuminas. I'm VERY impressed with them, as I'm a Koni person myself (my Civic uses OTS Konis and the track car has Koni race dampers, and as soon as the Miata needs shocks, it'll get Konis too). Anyway, I'm very happy with the Illuminas, and I'd highly recommend them. Installation is fairly straightforward if you're mechanically inclined.

If anyone wants some perfectly good stock struts, I have a FS ad in the marketplace, $50 + shipping or $50 if you come pick them up. :)
 
71dsp said:
I replaced the stock struts in our P5 at around 70k miles. I had a problem with what I thought could be suspension noise. It turned out it was a combination of a bent subframe brace (the one you jack the car up on) and a torn lower control arm bushing. The struts were actually fine.

I replaced them Tokico Illuminas. I'm VERY impressed with them, as I'm a Koni person myself (my Civic uses OTS Konis and the track car has Koni race dampers, and as soon as the Miata needs shocks, it'll get Konis too). Anyway, I'm very happy with the Illuminas, and I'd highly recommend them. Installation is fairly straightforward if you're mechanically inclined.

If anyone wants some perfectly good stock struts, I have a FS ad in the marketplace, $50 + shipping or $50 if you come pick them up. :)
How is the ride harder beter everyday ride?
were did you get them from?
I falied NJ Inspection because they say my shocks were no good LOL
 
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Tokico HP SERIES
There a good everyday shock yes but what is the diffrence in theses modles

<table border="1" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr valign="bottom"><td nowrap="nowrap">Protege All, Inc MP3,5 </td> <td align="center" nowrap="nowrap">99-03</td> <td align="center" nowrap="nowrap">HB2223</td> <td align="center" nowrap="nowrap">HB2225</td> <td> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td nowrap="nowrap"> (BJFP/BJFW)</td> <td> </td> <td align="center" nowrap="nowrap">HB2224</td> <td align="center" nowrap="nowrap">HB2226</td> <td> </td></tr></tbody></table>http://www.prostreetonline.com/buy/tokico_hp_kit/tok-hpk247/
 
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IIRC those are just the part numbers for each strut (front left, front right, rear left, rear right). They look familiar so I'm pretty sure that's the case.
 
KanseiZM said:
IIRC those are just the part numbers for each strut (front left, front right, rear left, rear right). They look familiar so I'm pretty sure that's the case.
Yeppers - part numbers
 
go outside and find a nice flat piece of driveway/parking lot. bouce the car from side to side or up and down depending on how strong you are and notice how many times the car continues to rock. If struts are bad. It will be more than 3. 3 or less, more than likely your struts don't need replaced. With the stiffer mazda springs it is harder to notice but it works as a general rule of thumb. but thats a good thing becasue the stiffer the spring, the less your struts actually have to work...
 
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