Struts leaking, replacement time

[RatLabGuy]

Went to get my new-to-me '02 inspected today for MD registration (grrr what a PITA) and goit flagged on the struts leaking oil... at 130k I guess it's well past time.
Only front were flagged but I'm almost wondering if I might as well do all corners.
Leads to 3 Qs -
1 - is there a preferred unit, nice comfy ride... not for racing although I do certainly enjoy the zoom-zoom handling of the car.
2 - should I just get the strut tower w/ the shock integral, or what else might be available as an all-in-one kit? I figure might as well change the bushings too, but will they come w/ the new tower by default?
3 - is there a specific writeup/tips on this, aside from the AFM? Searched but didn't come up w/ anything explicit.

 

[cbrcrx]

Went to get my new-to-me '02 inspected today for MD registration (grrr what a PITA) and goit flagged on the struts leaking oil... at 130k I guess it's well past time.
Only front were flagged but I'm almost wondering if I might as well do all corners.
Leads to 3 Qs -
1 - is there a preferred unit, nice comfy ride... not for racing although I do certainly enjoy the zoom-zoom handling of the car.
2 - should I just get the strut tower w/ the shock integral, or what else might be available as an all-in-one kit? I figure might as well change the bushings too, but will they come w/ the new tower by default?
3 - is there a specific writeup/tips on this, aside from the AFM? Searched but didn't come up w/ anything explicit.

I wouldn't do it unless you do all four. In pairs at a minimum (left and right). Tokicos give the best ride for daily driving and sporty handling.

 

[P-Funk!]

...or consider doing all four with lowering springs FTW!

x2 on Tokico Blues.

 

[RatLabGuy]

I'll do all 4 corners.
However I'd really rather keep the ride comfy and quiet, w/ no intent of racing so I doubt I'll lower it or anything.

Do the strut assemblies typically come w/ anything else? Include bushing for where they connect? Any other parts that need replacing at the same time?

I'm more used to old-school trucks wher ewe just call it a "shock", lol.

 

[HawkBat]

Mine are needing to be replaced also. The roads around here are also just so bad, making it even worse. I am looking at something with good price, seems like KYB might be the way to go. Anyone have any tips on springs, I really don't want to do lowering kits because I don't want to have any lower clearance then there already is. anyone have any tips?

 

[cbrcrx]

I tried KYBs and they were softer than my stock struts with 150k on them! Tokicos are the best for the money. They come with everything you need. The only problem is the sway bar end links are attached to the struts and they are usually stuck and have to be cut off, so you may have to buy new end links.

 

[P-Funk!]

The struts come with everything you need. Assuming no other problems (clunking sounds, etc...). Search for procedures and tips.

You can rent the required spring tool from autozone, etc...

 

[P-Funk!]

In fact, if you want to come to Calvert County - i would supervise you if needed...

 

[RatLabGuy]

I'll prob just go w/ the KYB gr2s, (that's stock right?) can get them for $55 ea from Rockauto, that's hard to beat...

What about the upper mounts? Typically worn too?
The bearings in there - do they just pop out, or is it a press-fir thing? soem come w/ bearings, otehrs do not... no reason to believe my bearings are bad but if it requires press to remove, easier to just replace all together...

 

[RatLabGuy]

In fact, if you want to come to Calvert County - i would supervise you if needed...

Oh and thanks, but I think I'll be good... you're a good hike from me. Will need to get a comrpessor though. Not a big fan of the autozone ones, but for free - I'll deal w/ it.

 

[limate]

Please post a how-to when you accomplish this task.

Good luck and thanks.

 

[RatLabGuy]

Does anybody know the proper name/part number etc for getting the upper rubber coil sping mounts?
On the rears they come integral to teh upper nount, but not the front. Can't find a listing anywhere.

 

[P-Funk!]

I reused mine with no issue... Are yours cracked? Broken?

 

[RatLabGuy]

I reused mine with no issue... Are yours cracked? Broken?

Not really, just deformed and pretty floppy from use. A little sign of cracking, nothing major.
I figured they couldn't be expensive, sicne I'm changing eveyrthing else might as well swap those too.

 

[Redcoat]

I've been following this thread because I'm about to do the same thing as you. After just replacing the sway bar bushings, I intend to replace all four struts with the KYB's along with endlinks (because they'll probably break during this procedure anyway) and strut mounts. The mounts are more expensive than I thought they'd be, though...$30 each for the fronts and $43 each for the rears.

 

[RatLabGuy]

I've been following this thread because I'm about to do the same thing as you. After just replacing the sway bar bushings, I intend to replace all four struts with the KYB's along with endlinks (because they'll probably break during this procedure anyway) and strut mounts. The mounts are more expensive than I thought they'd be, though...$30 each for the fronts and $43 each for the rears.

Yeah my end links were toast. unf they are very much stuck to the swaybar, it's going to take a lot more profanity to get them off (pissed).

I went ahead and ordered front mounts w/ new bearings too, figured at 130k might as well change 'em as well

 

[tsunami7]

Don't buy KYBs, they're softer than stock and won't last as long. If you're going to buy cheap struts might as well get Monroe's or Gabriel's

 

[Redcoat]

Don't buy KYBs, they're softer than stock and won't last as long. If you're going to buy cheap struts might as well get Monroe's or Gabriel's

Is this from personal experience? I'd love to buy Tokico's but can't come up with the $400 for a set right now...Besides, I bought the KYB's a year ago for a decent price.

My question is, should I be able to sell the KYB's (anybody?) and go for the Tokico's, can they be used with stock springs without any issues? I don't particularly want to lower the car (loser)...

 

[Katya4me]

Please post a how-to when you accomplish this task.

Good luck and thanks.

You should be able to use this one: http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123660197

And this thread in the How To section is quite useful in general: http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123715657

 

[Suomi]

Don't buy KYBs, they're softer than stock and won't last as long. If you're going to buy cheap struts might as well get Monroe's or Gabriel's

KYB is the OE strut supplier for Mazda, so KYB is stock.

http://www.kyb.com/corporate/factsfigures/