Hello everyone,

I just installed a set of KYB Excel--G shocks on my 84SE (stock suspension prior) and couldn't believe how much life the old original shock had left in it. It actually took more force to compress the original shock than the new KYB! Little did I know that the original shock was a Tokico. I am now wondering if the 31 year old shock is better than the new KYB? Or perhaps the greater the force needed to compress the shock doesn't necessarily mean that it's better? But if the KYB's are a softer shock then maybe it will offset the stiffer RB springs?

I also bought 4 new racing beat springs and tokico HP's for the front, which I didn't get to install yet. I am looking forward to getting everything on, but I have a feeling that I may be let down as far as the ride improvement.

Thanks for reading :-)

 

I have KYB shocks and RB springs. My hand was forced due to the Tokico US distributor issues a couple years ago when I was doing my shopping. I will say the KYBs have too little damping for the RB springs in my opinion but aren't bad for street use.

Anyway, one could rebuild the stock shocks if so inclined. I can't imagine it being any different than rebuilding motorcycle forks which are fairly easy. The instructions are in the Haynes manual ch 11. You could likely tune your damping with different weight oils as well. That bring said, I've never read of anyone doing that recently and everyone seems to opt for the replacement inserts. Not sure why but convenience and newer valving technology may be factors.

 

Thanks for the post :-)

 

When I first got my 84 se, I had the adj.Tokicos installed and they were aweful. Even on the lowest setting they were so stiff it sounded like things were breaking when hitting bumps. It could have been because I had original springs but I changed it all out for stock springs and shocks from Mazdatrix. It rides fine but the springs were so uneven my car leans too much. I'm thinking about having Racing Beat springs installed just to make the car hopefully level again.
Just bought an 84 gsl and the suspension is stock and feels great. So I'm not touching the susp.

 

Yep KYB shocks can't handle the RB springs. I want to replace mine with the Tokicos once they
are available again. Maybe they are sound like?

 

If it's the front that's uneven Mazdatrix (and Mazda) have shims you put over the strut tops to even it out.

 

Yea I took the car to Mazda for the installation of the springs and shocks. They said they had to shim the hell out of it but maybe I should have taken it to a suspension expert. My bad.

It's actually higher on the passenger side so from the rear it leans left. It's embarrassing. Lol But it rides nice.