Just wondering if anyone else came across this. I bought new KYB struts for my 1st gen from mazda trix. Now when I got them and tryed to put them in, the rear went in smoothly but the front would not. I still dont have them in but I was told by a lot of people and even mazda trix that I am supposed to have inserts. Is it possible that I dont. Mabye the person before me (witch was a old lady) got new ones and didnt get inserts. I dont get it, I tryed for at least 14 hours total trying to get the old inserts out. Has anyone else come across this?

 

So they are stuck in the tubes? Could be rusted in possibly, especially if they are inserts and the installer didnt put oil in the tube before putting in the new inserts. The original was a wet strut, not a cartridge so they usually come out easy. You got the big nut off the top and cant pull out the inserts? Try some penetrating oil (Kroil, PB blaster) to see if that helps looen it up. Let is soak in, then try again.

 

there is one problem, there is no nut to let the insert come out. So I am wondering if i can just replace the whole thing, but not with OEM.

 

Yes there is a nut. It may not have a hex if its aftermarket. It may just be round, but it is threaded. You need to unscrew it to get the insert out of the tube. Look at the manual to get an idea of how it comes apart.

 

no there isnt anything, I took it off 3 times and looked at it and tryed plenty of times, I am just wondering if its possible to not have insterts. Cause I have looked at it, a few friends look at it and couldnt find it. I have been told by many that its an insert but cant see it. So is it possible to not have inserts or is it possible to buy one that are not inserts?

 

OK, lets get this straight. So you remove the whole strut assembly. Then compress the spring with a spring compressor and remove the strut top and spring. At the top of the strut tube, where the chrome piston goes into the body, there should be some sort of cap or nut to keep the strut in the body. Unscrewing this should allow you to remove the strut out of the body.


Can someone find him a pic to help him?

 

please, if I can see a picture of this i will be forever grateful cause its driving me nuts.

 

yes i have taken the whole thing apart.

please, if I can see a picture of this i will be forever grateful cause its driving me nuts.