how difficult to replace rear struts??
 

I need rear struts on my 92 pro.
I called Pep boys on a whim and they are talking almost $400.00. Thats as much as I bot the car for!!! Are they that difficult to replace or am i just being raped.
Also I am looking for a close to stock replacement, getting to old for the harsh ride so what would be my best bet as far that goes??

Thanks

Mike

wow, that's a no vaseline job there!

the rear struts are very easy to change yourself. The only special tool you'll need is a spring compressor. Autozone rents them for $40, but you get your $40 back when you bring back the tool. so, it's really a free rental with a $40 deposit. pretty good deal.

check out my website for a how-to on the struts

www.automediazone.com/pro

Thanks bro. I was heated after i was given that quote. There was no reason for it as far as I could see. I will wait for a warmer day and know that out in the afternoon. Thanks for the link!!!

Whats a good strut to buy. looking for comfort more so than perfomance. i still have to drive the wife and kids around.

Thanks again

Mike.

Do a search ..... haha, just kidding!

I was asking this same question a few months ago and finally ended up going with KYB GR-2 struts. You can get them from www.shox.com for ~$50 each. These are a better-than-oem choice, and in my opinion, will probably work out well for what you want, giving a good blend of performance and comfort.

If you do decide to go with a high performance strut, or think you might want to lower your car, the Tokico struts for the Escort ZX2 from www.oemfordparts.com are a great choice, and a bargain, but I think you can only buy them in a set of four. They'll fit on your car fine, however the fronts require a slight modification to the strut perch to accomodate the ZX2 thrust (strut) bearings. These are the ones that mazdaspeedwest shows on his website, and several members here have on their Pro's.

Hope that heps ...

400 isn't bad compared to a local tire shop wanting to charge me almost 1200 for all four..........i was like F**K that noise. So i followed mazdaspeedwest's how-to on his site. One thing tho, if you plan on going with coilovers you don't need the bearings. I bought them and now have 2 front strut thrust bearings that i can't do nothin' with. I might call back to oemfordparts and see if they can refund my money. If not i guess i'll sell 'em to somebody on the forum. But back on track the struts were easy to do, I had a few problems with the coilovers tho. You shouldn't have too much of a problem doing it yourself. Maybe 2-3 hours tops.

400$ is too much!!!
is a realy easy job just like mazdaspeedwest said.
if i can do that i'm sure you can do it :D

I am not going to pay 400.00 no how now way. Especially after looking @ Mazdaspeed's site. (great job by the way)

I figure for that the 4 bills, I will replace all four struts do the brake pads and get her aligned. Just need a couple of days north of 35 degrees :D

Guys thanks for all your input I appreciate it.

Mike

I know it's a 2 door, but isn't that what the Lincoln is for, dosen't get much more comfy than that....:D

@ 1.65 a gallon and 15 mpg all of a sudden utility has become more important to me :D :D

too true!

If you're looking for close to stock replacement and maybe even a little better, try the KYB GR2 gas struts. I just got them w/ stock springs and ride is considerably better.

you can also purchase the Escort ZX2 struts. i have heard they are direct replacements...

the ZX2 struts are basically direct replacements, although a small modification to the upper strut perches are needed to fit the ZX2 thrust bearings.

These are performance struts and will not be a comfy ride.

hmmm... my rear ones need to be replaced... they are both soft... but one still has 2x more travel than the other :eek:

The front ones probably aren't too great either, perhaps it's time to spring for the ZX2s :cool:

why can't you use the thrust bearings?


does anyone know if the KYB GR-2's work well in combo with GC coilovers? i don't know if the ZX2's will fit ok with my GC coilovers because i don't have the larger tokico specific sleeves.