Stock rear shocks replacement

[Don Lockwood]

Hi group!

I have a 2004 Mazda3 GS 4 door and just found out about a rear shock leaking. My dealership quotes me around $300 per side installed..... that's $600 for rear shocks..... and my wallet is shocked too!!!

I used to drive american cars and trusted Monroe shocks as a good replacement for OE, and price was good. But after checking, Monroe does not make shocks for the 3.

I am in Montreal, (Quebec). Anyone as suggestions for an alternative to Mazda parts at the Mazda dealership? Cheaper?

I maybe tempted by performance shocks, but don't want to drop the car and don't think i could do just the rear shocks.... but hey! i will take any suggestions as i am now shopping for new shocks.

Thanks!

 

[tsunami]

yeah if you do performance shocks you need to do all 4 corners i think its around 450-600$$ for a set of 4 iirc. those are either bilstein or k-sport. as far as OE one the backs are really easy to do i suggest doing them yourself take a look under your car. i did the rear springs and it took maybe 1.5 hours to do both sides so i would think the shocks would be just as easy. i am not sure if you should get an alignment after changing those out or not some one else with more experience should chime in and say for certian. but either way at least you are only paying for an alignment at that point.

as far as where to look see what ken at protege garage can do for you or just use the internet i am sure you can find something decent.

 

[Don Lockwood]

walk through rear shocks install???

THanks for the suggestions Tsunami.

I found KYB shocks online real cheap..... $128 for the pair with free shipping.
So if i can do the job myself, that would be great. Would make a nice saturday afternoon project with my best friend who probably has all the tools needed for the job.

Does anybody have a walk through with pictures for rear shocks installation?
Just the shocks, not the springs.

I also checked a few garages, including another Mazda dealer.... i think my dealer priced me for the front, not the rear.... he is $150 too expensive.

I have the shop manual, so i will dig into it to find out how easy.... or hard... the install can be.

To be continued....

 

[cmedrive]

The install should be pretty easy, I'll look around for a How-To for you. An alignment is always suggested after you do suspension work but in reality, you aren't changing the geometry at all so its really not needed. You should be able to just swap the new OE replacements in and drive away.

 

[tsunami]

its easy peasy to drop the rear suspension and get at the shocks all you are going to need are some jack stands a good socket set and a few refreshments i am sure... take off the rear tires after getting it up on the stands and take a look but i think its just two bolts one at either end holding the things in.