Replacing rear struts...
December-16th-2002, 02:12 PM
#1
Hu Flung Pu
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: San Salvador, El Salvador
Posts: 341
Replacing rear struts...
Hi,
My rear left-rear shock is shot (leaked out). The ride is pretty bad now. I wanted to know how hard it would be to replace the rear strut myself, or if I should get a mechanic to do it. Are any special tool required? Torque wrench, etc.?
I have been told that it is not possible to just replace the shock inside the spring, and that I would have to replace the whole thing (the whole assembly... spring and shock). Is this true?
I have read that if one of them is bad, you should replace both to ensure that the ride stays even. I can get them from the Mazda dealer for $71.28 each strut, but would like to save the other $71.28 if I donīt need to replace the right one. Is this advisable, or should I replace both even if the right one "feels" like itīs ok? The installation is not an issue... that is only $48.00 for both.
Thanks.
My rear left-rear shock is shot (leaked out). The ride is pretty bad now. I wanted to know how hard it would be to replace the rear strut myself, or if I should get a mechanic to do it. Are any special tool required? Torque wrench, etc.?
I have been told that it is not possible to just replace the shock inside the spring, and that I would have to replace the whole thing (the whole assembly... spring and shock). Is this true?
I have read that if one of them is bad, you should replace both to ensure that the ride stays even. I can get them from the Mazda dealer for $71.28 each strut, but would like to save the other $71.28 if I donīt need to replace the right one. Is this advisable, or should I replace both even if the right one "feels" like itīs ok? The installation is not an issue... that is only $48.00 for both.
Thanks.
Last edited by LOS-323; December-16th-2002 at 02:54 PM.
December-16th-2002, 02:55 PM
#2
Hu Flung Pu
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: San Salvador, El Salvador
Posts: 341
Originally posted by TheMAN
you can reuse the spring, but you have to take the assembly apart. to access the top of the rear struts, you have to remove the rear deck shelf... to work with the spring/strut, you need a spring compressor
you can reuse the spring, but you have to take the assembly apart. to access the top of the rear struts, you have to remove the rear deck shelf... to work with the spring/strut, you need a spring compressor
Sounds like I better pay the $48 they charge to replace both of them.
Edit: Just found another shop that will do it for $30.
Last edited by LOS-323; December-16th-2002 at 02:58 PM.
December-17th-2002, 12:36 AM
#3
Protege Enthusiast
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 190
Originally posted by LOS-323
Sounds like I better pay the $48 they charge to replace both of them.
Edit: Just found another shop that will do it for $30.
Sounds like I better pay the $48 they charge to replace both of them.
Edit: Just found another shop that will do it for $30.
December-17th-2002, 09:07 AM
#4
Hu Flung Pu
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: San Salvador, El Salvador
Posts: 341
Originally posted by pollax
I'd let the shop do it for $30. Since your car is older, some of the bolts my be rusted together. I had to cut off the nuts for the strut to endlink mount because they were rusted together.
I'd let the shop do it for $30. Since your car is older, some of the bolts my be rusted together. I had to cut off the nuts for the strut to endlink mount because they were rusted together.
Yeah... I decided $30 bucks was nothing. So I will let them do it. Besides, they let me stick around while they do it, so i can watch every move and learn from them.
December-17th-2002, 03:35 PM
#5
Hu Flung Pu
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: San Salvador, El Salvador
Posts: 341
Originally posted by pollax
I'd let the shop do it for $30. Since your car is older, some of the bolts my be rusted together. I had to cut off the nuts for the strut to endlink mount because they were rusted together.
I'd let the shop do it for $30. Since your car is older, some of the bolts my be rusted together. I had to cut off the nuts for the strut to endlink mount because they were rusted together.
Just got the struts replaced this morning. Nothing to it if you have a spring compressor (which I didnīt, so I had them done for $30). Fortunately nothing was rusty or damaged in any way whatsoever.
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