I have a Issues with pro kit and stock struts. Some input would be great!

[Nachies]

I have a 2007, 3 week old Mazda-3 Sedan, and I just swapped out the springs with the prokit using the stock struts. The spring came from the (Tire Rack).

The install was straight forward; but now I have a Popping in the front end (right side) of the car. This seams to happens when I turn from left to right, and from what I can tell it's only at slow speeds.


What I think is happening is the coil it slipping in the strut when I turn the wheels. It's like the stock strut is to big for the spring.

I jacked the front right side of the car up last night and had my wife turn the steering wheel as I inspected and felt the spring. I could tell the spring is moving or sliding in the strut assembly. I could see the spring slides in and out of the plastic sleeve that is slipped over the spring on that bottom coil.

The sleeve isn't moving (it's as if there enough friction on the sleeve to keep it still) but it’s the spring it self.

I also don't think the spring is moving at the top of the strut. I think the bushing and bearing are doing there job up there.

The 17 mm bolt that hold the strut assembly together it as tight as I can get it. It wont tighten up any more.


1.) Did you guy's remove the plastic sleeve of the bottom of the spring before the install, or just slide it farther down the spring?

2.) Are after market struts shorter the stock struts?

I hope this makes since. It's driving me insane:bang

[b3GS]

I don't think the strut is too long for the springs.. there is no way the sturts could hold the car up on it's own.

sounds like the springs were installed wrong.. or maybe you got the wrong springs altogether?? Could be possible that they were installed upside down?
or the rear springs were installed in the front??

all possibilities

lots of people seem to be using the Pro Kits without any problems.. seems to be the most popular springs on here.

Maybe there is a slight difference in the '07's and you got springs for a previous year??

[Nachies]

I put the big looped springs on the front with the lettering right side up. And the smaller tighter looped spring went in the rear of the car, the same way with the lettering right side up.

It might be that the coils are the wrong ones for the car.

At first I thought it was the sway bar that was binding, but I couldn't find any proof of that. Plus the sway bar should make a sound as I hit a bump in the road.

I'll be pulling that strut this weekend to see if there something wrong.

[Magitronic]

Lucky to have a spring compressor to install springs yourself :o I have stech`s sitting in my trunk but no money to install them :P

[cwp_sedan]

Lucky to have a spring compressor to install springs yourself :o I have stech`s sitting in my trunk but no money to install them :P

Rent a spring compressor from Part Source or Canadian Tire. They are free as long as you return them on time. I've rented a compressor twice and both times had a good result.

[Nachies]

I got the compressor from auto zone for $45 bucks.

If I can't fix my problem, I'll be selling the springs an leaving the mazda stock. I kick my self for not buy the speed3.

But here what I think the problem is. When I was taking off the strut boot, the bearing fell on the ground. I re-installed them but they might be giving me the problem.

[Wild Weasel]

A bad bearing can definitely cause this sort of thing. Something has to turn. If not the bearing... then what? :)

[Gizzmo_jr]

The whole McPherson strut assembly spins from the top wheel bearing, like WW said "Something has to turn". If the bearing got dirty on the inside then it needs to be repacked with grease or replaced, cause your twisting something that shouldn't be.

What could of happened. The top bearing cap (which is only held in place with plastic pressure clips) could of come off, allowing all 25-30 ball bearing to disperse. If to many went missing and the person tried to repack it, it could bind. Or dirt is preventing the bearings from spinning. Also common is putting the two rings (bearing cages) in upside down also preventing it from spinning.

Take your compressors and take out the whole strut. CAREFULLY pop off the top of the bearing cap and take a look inside.

[Nachies]

Oh' man, I know I put the bear caps in wrong, what else could I've have done.

The top looked the same as the bottom, I didn't think that would make a difference. Thanks Gizzmo!

I just called around to order a strut mount form the Mazda dealer. I guess that's what Mazda is calling them. But in Washington state there's not one to be found. So I'll be ordering one tomorrow.

Again, thanks for all the help.

[Gizzmo_jr]

wait wait, hold on a sec. The bottom of the bearing has a angled slope that matches the top of the spring. The opposite side of the bearing is flat so to put the bearing itself upside down would be hard. What I mentioned were the "guts" of the bearing itself.

If you hold the whole strut, bearing in all, vertically like if it were on the car you should be able to spin the bearing quite smoothly. If not then there's something wrong.
edit, after rereading your first post I misunderstood and thought you got the springs installed but you did it yourself.

[Nachies]

I'll find out tonight, I get the parts today.

[FLIPDADY]

This same issue happen to sicsol when he had his Pro Kits installed. We found that the "plastic" upper strut bearings were busted. Maybe check them out when everything is apart.

[Nachies]

I have to tell you guy's this.........

So I am 5 minute into removing the strut to replace the bearings.
An the tire and the strut are removed. REMOVED!!! An the STRUT is out of the car in 5 minutes! NO LIE!!!! I think I might have broken a record.

Before I began the swap.. I started thing about how big of a pain the strut was going to be to remove... I didn't want to bang on the knuckle again with the hammer and the 2x4's, and the screw drive to separate the casting wasn't working, An the last time I removed the strut it took 3 hours, by my self..

This time I went to the tool box and grabbed the 12" breaker bar (Sears), a 3/4 reducer to a 1/4 adapter. I used the 1\4 adapter in between the casting where the 17 mm nut goes. turned the breaker bar the the knuckle dropped down off of the strut. It was that fast..

I hope this makes since.

Now that I have the strut out of the car the bearings will not turn or spin, I am sure that's whats wrong.

[Flagrum_3]

Hey, great removal tip!! ...So did replacing the bearings eliminate the noise?


_3


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[Mayhem]

I've had the same issues recently with my H&R springs. The problem only started happening the last few months. The springs have been installed since May of 2006 and I didn't have problems up until August of 2007. Did replacing the bearings remove the noise? I've been thinking about getting my upper strut mounts replaced. Either that or maybe purchasing the mazdaspeed struts.

[EvilDeadFan]

You know what? When I'm parked my passenger side front strut seems a little noisy too, even though everything is tight and aligned. This must be it.
How much is the part?
It just sucks though, we were very careful not to let that happen.