2002 Protege 5 Struts
 

I just bought a MP5 and it needs new struts all around. Are the rear struts harder to replace than the fronts? All the shops around the Denver, CO area are giving me quotes of $1000 to replace all 4, does this seem normal? Thanks for any advice/tips.


Jeff

It's not any harder than the front, just a little more involved since you have to take the interior apart a bit to get to the tophats. If you're mechanically inclined at ALL, it's really a pretty easy job. The only specialty tool you'll need are some spring compressors which are cheap at harbor freight.
1000 is too much, in my opinion. I can swap all 4 of em, in my yard with the HF spring compressors in about 3 hours. Any good shop with a lift, better compressors and airtools should be able to easily cut an hour off that time. 500 bucks an hour is root canal prices, not 10+ year old Mazda repair prices.
Take a drive to California and I'll help you do it for free!

HOW TO: Protege 5 Strut and Sway Bar install

Spring & Coil Compressors - 10 Inch Heavy Duty Strut Coil Spring Compressor Set of 2