by "Funktheduck" (funktheduck)
Published 04/14/2017 at 10:52
by "Funktheduck" (funktheduck)
Published 04/14/2017 at 10:52
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STARS: 0
It’s(past) time to replace the shocks and struts on my Mazda 3. What are your favorite brands? I’m just looking at OE style. Better performance or longevity is always a plus. Don’t need coilovers (unless they happen to be quality and competitively priced with regular set up).
Looking for shocks and struts. I know there are more options for struts with springs already on. I like the idea of those because I’m not crazy about spring compressors but I’ve done it before.
"SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie" (sidewaysondirt)
04/14/2017 at 10:56, STARS: 0
How old’s the 3? I don’t remember having an issue with the springrate on the one I had, though I would have liked some Koni Yellows for adjustability of the damping.
"Funktheduck" (funktheduck)
04/14/2017 at 11:02, STARS: 0
Off the top of my head I know it’s over 115k miles. The ride has noticeably degraded the past couple months but I’ve been busy doing other things so I’ve put it off
"TheTurbochargedSquirrel" (thatsquirrel)
04/14/2017 at 11:26, STARS: 1
I typically buy pre-assembled OEM units. Not worth the hassle or risk to mess around with spring compressors. Springs do a great job of storing a lot of energy and releasing it very quickly.
"MyJeepGetsStuckInTheSnow" (myjeepgetsstuckinthesnow)
04/14/2017 at 11:34, STARS: 1
I have liked the KYB Strut Plus preloaded ones on my Honda. They are getting hard to find now for a 98 so I might have to get Koni oranges if they are sold out before I am ready for another set this summer.
OEM springs are crazy expensive. Sell those.
"ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com" (ita97)
04/14/2017 at 12:22, STARS: 1
My favorite choice for struts/shocks on daily drivers are Bilstiens. They’all be better performing than what usually comes from the factory while still having a reasonable ride. What I really like about Bilstien is that they make a very high quality part. They have a way of outlasting the vehicle their on, but they aren’t cheap. Koni is usually pretty hard to beat from s performance standpoint, but are often overkill on an otherwise stock DD.
At a lower price point, I really like KYB. They make a good part at a good price. On your Mazda, I would strongly suspect that the OEM struts were made by either KYB or Tokico any way. Tokico also makes some god stuff, especially their adjustable struts.
For DIY, the preassembled strut/spring assemblies are a great way to go. They come with the new boots and strut mounts that many folks neglect to replace during a strut job, and they eliminate the risk of cheap spring compressors. Sometimes a good option can be to do the install yourself, but have a shop swap the springs onto your new parts with their big boy, standalone spring compressor. If you show up to a suspension/alignment shop with your parts and something like $50-$100 cash in your pocket, they’ll probably be happy to swap them over for you so long as you don’t expect them to do it at that very moment.
"TahoeSTi" (tahoesti)
04/14/2017 at 13:34, STARS: 0
Do they make Knoi FSDs starts for that car, if they do go for them. Best all around struts and they reduce ETs.
"TahoeSTi" (tahoesti)
04/14/2017 at 13:34, STARS: 0
Spring compressions aren’t that bad, on big coil springs. They get kinda scary with valve springs.