Strut Replacement on my Mazda 3. A step by step overview of the process, with some tips.

Strut Replacement on my Mazda 3.  A step by step overview of the process, with some tips.

I had put off changing these struts for quite some time. Although I have done lots of work on cars,Engine rebuilds, engine replacement, head rebuild, transmi…

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Supreme8321 says:

This is a very good video however all beating can be avoid by buying a Spindle Housing Spreader Tool or something similar its only 30 bucks and will same you a ton of time in removing and installing the strut.

spacecalander says:

Great video, some people have trouble getting the strut back in that rubber tube, but you had zero problems. Thanks .

The Suburban Hippie Experimentalist says:

No problem, I am really pleased you found this helpful!

archie977 says:

i want to raze my mazda protege up about a inch to put snow tires on it thanks for posting

archie977 says:

yes thanks good video lotsa helpful info thank you for posting

The Suburban Hippie Experimentalist says:

Hey Kerry, I hope you continue to find this video a great help to you in your endevour! Thanks for the very nice comment! Good luck!

Kerry McKenzie says:

Thank you for sharing this step by step! I’ll be changing my struts as soon as my replacements come in, and this was VERY helpful!
I’ll be getting help with it, so I’m glad to see it can be done by one person with not as much effort as I imagined it would take. I’ve saved this video to watch as I go. 🙂

The Suburban Hippie Experimentalist says:

The only moving parts I am aware of are in the actual strut. There is ball bearings and such in there. As far as the parts you will need, you will need the struts. You won’t need the springs or anything else. You will need spring compressors, you can borrow from the parts store.

Alex Sudnikowicz says:

Hi Mark! Amazing video.

I’m going to be doing this while returning to OEM height (i’m lowered right now) I also have a tick/clunk from I’m pretty sure the top of the strut on the driver side – So I’m assuming there is play up in the strut mount that’s causing it to shift around when I hit a bump at low/medium speed. Is there bushings/bearings there that could be the culprit? which parts do you think I’ll need?

The Suburban Hippie Experimentalist says:

Glad it was helpful to you Sean!

Sean Fortune says:

Nice video! I looked at about half of it and saving it for later. My real plan is to lower my 05 mazda 3 so it his gave me an idea of how hard or easy that will be!

The Suburban Hippie Experimentalist says:

Hello Kelly,
Just ask for the struts for your car. You just need the struts, and they can lend you a spring compressor. I don’t know what your mechanical aptitude is, but before starting this particular project, it is a good idea to have a reasonable expectation of your skills. Most people have been able to do this themselves, but there have been at least three that took thier car apart, and then needed my help putting it back together to take it to a mechanic. Good luck!

Kelly Barron Snow says:

Hello great vid… would you mind listing all the parts you used ? I am having a friend replace my struts and shocks and find it confusing as to which parts i need to purchase

The Suburban Hippie Experimentalist says:

Good plan, if your not sure!

The Suburban Hippie Experimentalist says:

I am glad you like it!

jjdayton says:

Thanks for the video!

…..I’ll take it to the mechanic.

IHoboJunk says:

Great video man!!

The Suburban Hippie Experimentalist says:

I am very glad to hear that! The best comments are people telling me my vidoes helped them in some way, so thanks a bunch for your comment!

Jason Smith says:

Thanks for the video! Just completed the project!

The Suburban Hippie Experimentalist says:

I can’t find your question anywhere ELeduDX, what is your question? Mark

The Suburban Hippie Experimentalist says:

BombDog Handler, Sorry it took so long for me to get back to you. Do you mean getting the bolt back into the hole in the control arm, through the strut? If you can’t get it back in, then the strut might not be seated all the way. Keeping your fingers out of the way, try jacking up on the bottom control arm slightly, and turning the strut, so it seats in properly. It shouldn’t be that hard. Again, sorry for the delay! Mark 🙂

Eduards says:

Hello themark, i got some quiestions for you of a mazda 3 that i have. If you could help. Eo you have a webpage or something? Thanks

And thanks for the video.

bombdoghandler says:

Ok, how did you get the bolt hole on the control arm to align with the strut? This is a pain in the ass, brother!

The Suburban Hippie Experimentalist says:

John B, glad you found this helpful to you. Thanks for letting us know the Mazda5 struts are the same!

John B says:

Thanks for the great video. Same procedure for Mazda5.

The Suburban Hippie Experimentalist says:

Jonathan, My friend bought those quick struts for his honda civic. He did so, because hondas are different. The whole assembly turns with the tie rod ends to steer the car, with a bearing at the top. We didn’t like it, because the bearing had some friction in it, and ended up taking them apart anyway. It really is no big deal to take the spring off the strut, but for the Mazda, since it doesn’t turn, why not? Makes it easier, and for 30 bucks, eh, if it saves you time, and is less danger..

Jonathan Moore says:

Monroe sells a “Quick-Strut” assembly which includes the coil spring, bearing plates, boots, etc. as a completed assembly, for a one-to-one replacement of the strut assembly without a coil compressor, etc. Looks like it would save a lot of the trouble with stuck bolts and compressing springs, especially for someone less experienced mechanically.

It’s about 30 bucks more than the strut alone on RockAuto. I’m pricing parts to do this replacement myself, with the help of your vid! 185k miles!

mrPLomas1 says:

Good video! Gives a good quick overview of what to expect. Just ordered my struts for my 06 Mazda 3. Will let you know how it goes. Would you recommend changing out the sway arms while I’m at it?

The Suburban Hippie Experimentalist says:

Talk2sood,
By quick struts, I do not know what you mean. 218 doesn’t sound bad to me considering that is probably what I paid for both of mine, and then did it myself.

The Suburban Hippie Experimentalist says:

Mandatory? On this car, no. Recommended? absolutely. On a Honda, Mandatory! Mark 🙂

The Suburban Hippie Experimentalist says:

Bones12x2,
Thanks for all these tips, I appreciate it!

The Suburban Hippie Experimentalist says:

Glad to help ou! Mark 🙂

The Suburban Hippie Experimentalist says:

oo7Ryan, glad to post it! When I wanted to do mine, I couldn’t find one, so I put this up. Hope this helps!

The Suburban Hippie Experimentalist says:

Thanks LostFrog07! Thanks for watching!

LostFrog07 says:

Very informative video. Good job!

oo7Ryan says:

Hey, thanx for the vid bud, im tackling this job in a couple days, i am not new to replacing suspension, but its always nice to see what your gonna get into ahead of time.. especially from the comfort of your living room 🙂

GoldenDubstepOG says:

GREAT video man. You just sucsessfully helped me instal my lowering springs.

Bones12x2 says:

Also, one thing he forgot to mention is that it helps to mark where the top of the spindle (control arm housing for the strut) and the strut meet, so you can make sure that the new strut is seated properly in the control arm

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