bambam

My front stuts are shot and I cannot find any replacments. None of the local shops can get anything for 2000 thru current protoge or protoge5...

What years are compatible and any ideas (other than dealer) on where to get new ones, stock or aftermarket?

Thanks...

jowettw

before anybody else says it, do a search for "struts" and you will find several helpful posts

there are only several options available to 3rd gen protege/protege5 owners:
-Mazdaspeed adjustables
-MP3 Tokicos
-Mazdaspeed struts (if available)
-KYB struts (e-spec)
-TEIN coilovers (pricey)
-JIC coilovers (SUPER pricey)

... that's all i know ... if you want more info, do a search on this board

bambam

Thanks for the reply...I have done a search and didn't feel like hours of reading thru threads that didn't cover exactly what I was looking for hoping to find one that was usefull...I don't really need anything that is of higher performance either, just replacements....

Thanks again...

LOS-323

I think Monroe makes sturts for Pros.

Try the dealer locator

Sir Nuke

bambam....go to www.mazdastuff.com and get them there....this is in fact a dealer that has an internet business outlet....if you order them through their internet there is like a 20% discount over the normal dealer price....

if you want...you can email richard with the specific parts request you have at parts@mazdastuff.com

this dealer in in Texas so if you live outside texas you don't pay sales tax either....just shipping.

carguycw

Monroe struts are junk IMHO. If you want an inexpensive stock replacement, get KYB GR-2's- they are not performance struts per se, but if you're looking for cheap stock replacements, they are the best out there. (BTW do not confuse these with the E-spec "Super" struts, the GR-2's are regular parts-store replacements that shouldn't cost you much more than $60/each.)

To buy some, try RD Enterprises, www.shox.com. They have the cheapest shock prices in the known universe.

eggynatey

What? broken already? check out the "weak stock struts" thread. Then RAISE HELL!

bambam

Yea, broken already...40,000 miles with 35,000 of those miles on ground controls coil overs...taking coil overs off and putting stock springs back on for my wife...the car is going to become hers now...

Thanks for all the info guys...

Most of the sites don't show struts for the pro5, what years of standard pro's are compatible?

Thanks again...

carguycw

The stock struts on a Protege (and just about any other new car) are NOT built to be used with coilovers. I would NOT consider 35k miles on stock struts with coilovers to be premature strut wear. Coilovers will usually trash them in less than 10k miles. NO dealer is going to give you a new set of struts for free given your circumstances.

All 99+ Protege and Protege5 struts interchange if you have the correct front swaybar endlinks; do a search, this has been covered many times before.

Good luck!

bambam

carguycw - I thought 35,000 with coil overs was really good, considering that most only get, like you stated, 10,000...I had no intention of trying to get the dealer to do anything, I just need some replacements and I have had no luck locally....

Thanks

eggynatey

Sorry, I didn't realize that you had coil overs

carguycw

Yeah, I know, I just didn't want you to jump to any wacky conclusions about free replacements. Strut failure at 40k miles is premature with *stock* springs IMHO and a dealer MIGHT work with you if that was the case, but NOBODY will sympathize with you if you've got aftermarket springs.

BTW did you call RD Enterprises about the GR-2's? I'm just curious what they quoted you. BTW you'll probably want to do a search about the front swaybar endlink issue before you proceed with this project.

Good luck!