Eric F

Tim and Brian from Mazda Motorsports are usually very good, but occasionally they are wrong or don't know about something I ask. I bought the full set of MazdaSpeed struts from them, and mine all say Tokico on them, so...

zeus

Mine are all Tokicos too, but I understand the early ones were KYBs. Good thing too, I like Tokico better.

When I finally got thru to MMS and talked to Brian, he hooked me up with the 7-1/2" end link P/N B26R-34-170. Brain swears that's the 7-1/2" #, but the dealer says it's 9". We'll see who's right. All I know is there are 4 possible lengths @ $35 ea, and Mazda can't make up it's mind on which to use.

I always seem to need the one manufacturer part that no one understands, but this wasn't near as bad as finding the right central port injector assy for a late model GMC.

Eric F

Early ones meaning earlier Protege generations? I've had my struts for quite a while, so I'd be surprised if Mazda ever used KYB to produce the MazdaSpeed struts for the 3rd gen.

zeus

No not earlier Pros, but earlier strut builds. But now I think about it, it's not like Tokico to use the side ***** for adjustment. Maybe they outsource the rear inserts to KYB, and Tokico only assembles the final strut to Mazda spec. That'd be a typical spec supplier chain, but who knows. I know I don't really care as long as they work.

Until I get my front bar tied down I can't really tell, but the full hard settings seems a bit much at both ends. What settings are you using?

Eric F

I usually use the softest setting in the front on the street, and about the 2.5 mark on the rear.

zeus

I got my links in today and figured I'd note for the record that the above P/N is for 7-1/2" links, even if the invoice still says 9". So Brian was right and Mazda's DB and mico fiche are ephed up. I am doing better with the dealer though, cuz I'm now getting the 20% shop discount on parts. Woo Hoo! That's only like 130% over cost now.