FAAAK!

[Zotaga]

Earlier today.. my rear left shock mount shattered.. and then once I jacked up the car.. I learned my rear struts are shot to.. GRR..

How long will this take to replace? I am replacing both the back left and back right shocks and mounts because if the left one broke, I'm guessing the right one is on it's way out to.. don't want to dick around with another busted shock in a few weeks or months.. I'm replacing it with all OEM hardware.

http://s11.postimg.org/3l0xyc8kj/IMG_1292.jpg

[Zotaga]

The torque specs I found are 20-25 ft-lb for the top nuts and 70-80 ft-lb for the bottom.. is that about accurate?

[Thrizzl3]

just replace the strut hat until you find a new set of rear struts

[Zotaga]

New struts are ordered; going to do it all at once because I couldn't get the nut off on the old struts (at the top) to get the mount off.


just replace the strut hat until you find a new set of rear struts

[Thrizzl3]

New struts are ordered; going to do it all at once because I couldn't get the nut off on the old struts (at the top) to get the mount off.

fair enough..you're doing it yourself?

[Zotaga]

Yeah, I am going to give it a go tomorrow afternoon.. I have shop space to do it in so it shouldn't be that bad.

The only thing I'm worried about is snapping off the mounting bolts when removing the nuts/putting them on. I snapped one off a couple years ago and it was a biatch to grind off the busted bolt so I can get a new bolt put in its place.. I am going to spray it down with WD/40 this time and let it sink in before I attempt to remove the nuts. I'm hoping nothing breaks or it's going to make this task a whole hell of a lot harder.


fair enough..you're doing it yourself?

[Thrizzl3]

good luck :)

[Hyperion]

It's a piece of cake to change them. I suggest you use an extended socket on an extension to make sure your torque wrench isn't at an angle, as that is what will snap the bolt.

[Noisy Crow]

Yeah, I am going to give it a go tomorrow afternoon.. I have shop space to do it in so it shouldn't be that bad.

The only thing I'm worried about is snapping off the mounting bolts when removing the nuts/putting them on. I snapped one off a couple years ago and it was a biatch to grind off the busted bolt so I can get a new bolt put in its place.. I am going to spray it down with WD/40 this time and let it sink in before I attempt to remove the nuts. I'm hoping nothing breaks or it's going to make this task a whole hell of a lot harder.

Use something stronger than WD40.... use PB Blaster or similar. And if you get you hands on an impact wrench use it....

[Zotaga]

I've never heard of it but I will definitely look into it.. based off a quick glance, it's got awesome reviews so it might just help.


Use something stronger than WD40.... use PB Blaster or similar. And if you get you hands on an impact wrench use it....

[Zotaga]

Can I re-use the old dust shield and yellow bumper thing in the shock? Or do I need new ones?

[Hyperion]

Reuse

[Zotaga]

Do the replacement shocks come with new hardware for the top of the strut?


Reuse

[Zotaga]

The answer to my question is.. no.. the new shocks do not come with the hardware.

My process went something like this:
1) Jack up the left side of the car and then throw a jack-stand under it (then do the same on the right side)

Same process for the left and the right:
2) Unbolt the top 2 bolts (odds are, one or both of these are going to break.. the Mazda bolts are pretty brittle from the looks of it.. I broke one on the right side trying to take off the nut)
3) Unbolt the bottom bolt and then take out the shock

If you break the bolt, you're in for a good time..
4) Go into your trunk and take off the panel from whichever side you broke the bolt on (there are like 6 clips.. 4 on the outside of the panel, 2 hidden behind the panel near the trunk opening)
5) Locate the welded on bolt and with a air compressed sander.. sand the shit out of that bolt until it's smooth.. then with a sharp chisel thing, hammer out the center of the weld area to knock the bolt out
6) Purchase a new bolt that's fully threaded (I used 8M x 40) bolts with new washers and shit..

Once you have your new shock assembly ready, re-install.. I put the bottom in first, then lightly tightened the bolt before raising the brake assembly up and then bolting in the top part. Once the top was bolted in, I then proceeded to bolt on the bottom bolt so it was nice and tight.. and then I put the tires back on and I was good to go..

I drove around for an hour and it seems fixed.. no clangs or bangs.. but I think I'll have to change the front struts in the summer..