1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Sources for SA front Struts

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Old 04-26-07, 06:57 PM
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Sources for SA front Struts

Does anyone have a good source for front struts? Re-speed, TireRack, Summit, NAPA, and Sears either don't have them or are on backorder.
Old 04-26-07, 07:10 PM
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shox.com is usally a good source, but the also list 1981-1985 only. Hit them up, they may be able to help you. Is there a difference in shock length on earlier models?
Old 04-26-07, 07:12 PM
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www.classicgarage.com/rx72.html

Here....really cheap Koni's...others on the forum have purchased them and seem fine.
Old 04-26-07, 07:13 PM
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There is an Ebay store that has them every know and then.
Old 04-26-07, 07:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Jaime Enriquez
www.classicgarage.com/rx72.html

Here....really cheap Koni's...others on the forum have purchased them and seem fine.
on the koni adjustables, they have had them for a while, so they recommended sitting them upside down for a few days to let air escape, and possibly a rebuild. Cant find the email they sent me but that was about it.
Old 04-26-07, 07:29 PM
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Convert to 84-85 and forget about SA spindles.
Old 04-26-07, 07:56 PM
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Shox.com does not offer them.
Most of the feedback on classic garages old stock Konis is neagative from members who have tried them. Alot of them have stated that they have had to replace them over and over.
Old 04-26-07, 07:58 PM
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Kyb still offers them # 363003
Also the OEM style are available.
Both still available thru Mazdatrix
Old 04-26-07, 08:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Slammed_GSL
Convert to 84-85 and forget about SA spindles.

i have some for sale even.
Old 04-26-07, 09:06 PM
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I will too once I get my TII brake upgrade installed on the widebody. Have an extra pair of Illuminas to go with them too.
Old 04-26-07, 10:06 PM
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ok i will upgrade but until then i NEED some. Tires with 2500 miles on them are almost to the cord on the inner portion. Scott, hurry up! My car will be in pieces. I wonder what new suspension feels like! lol

Last edited by kgray; 04-26-07 at 10:24 PM.
Old 04-26-07, 10:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Jaime Enriquez
www.classicgarage.com/rx72.html

Here....really cheap Koni's...others on the forum have purchased them and seem fine.
No, they're not fine.

I've been through two sets. One lasted six months. The other was DOA.

These old stock struts are just hit and miss. Some seem to survive their long shelf life just fine. Others are severely damaged or completely fucked when they arrive.

It's a crapshoot.

You're really better off upgrading to the 81 and up strut tubes. The parts availability is great and the shorter stroke means less bottoming under hard cornering.

My Tokico Blues work great and were fairly inexpensive.
Old 04-26-07, 11:43 PM
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The KYB catalog lists the front as 363006 and the rear as 343140 on page 46 of http://www.kyb.com/catalog/2006_passenger_car.pdf

I emailed KYB and was told they will fit in the stock assembly and will be 10-15% firmer than the original Mazda shocks. RockAuto.com does not sell the front though they do sell the rear.

If you are going to do a swap to a later year note there were a few changes to the strut assembly on the first gens. I think there were 3 versions: 79-80 , 81-82 , 83-85 . If I recall in 81 the strut length was changed and in 83 the wheel spindle diameter was changed. I don't know what years the calipers were changed but there were a couple versions.
Old 04-27-07, 12:05 AM
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Originally Posted by Doctor.Jekyll
The KYB catalog lists the front as 363006 and the rear as 343140 on page 46 of http://www.kyb.com/catalog/2006_passenger_car.pdf

I emailed KYB and was told they will fit in the stock assembly and will be 10-15% firmer than the original Mazda shocks. RockAuto.com does not sell the front though they do sell the rear.

If you are going to do a swap to a later year note there were a few changes to the strut assembly on the first gens. I think there were 3 versions: 79-80 , 81-82 , 83-85 . If I recall in 81 the strut length was changed and in 83 the wheel spindle diameter was changed. I don't know what years the calipers were changed but there were a couple versions.
I just checked the kyb website www.kybshocks.com and they list the front strut part number for the 79-80 as 363003.
Old 04-27-07, 12:07 AM
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There are three calipers:

'79, which are 'wedge' style, the '80, which is conventional and the '81 and up which are also conventional.

Note that the '79 and '80 have coarse-pitch hydraulic lines while the '81 and up feature a fine-pitch hydraulic line.

As for struts, Doctor.Jekyll is right on, there are three different strut assemblies:

'79-80. These assemblies are about an inch longer than the '81 and up and feature small-bearing spindles and different strut top blocks.

'81-83. These assemblies are shorter than the '79-80 models but have the same bearing diameter and share the strut top blocks with all 81-85 struts.

'84-85. These assemblies are the same as the '81-83 in terms of length and strut-top blocks, but feature large-bearing spindles, which are evidently quite a bit more resilient.

All calipers and backing plates should interchange between struts, but this is something that I've never tried, so there may be some difficulties there that I'm not aware of.
Old 04-27-07, 12:50 AM
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Originally Posted by rx7doctor
I just checked the kyb website www.kybshocks.com and they list the front strut part number for the 79-80 as 363003.
Oops, typo. I just checked the PDF again and you are right. Thanks!
Old 04-27-07, 12:51 AM
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Originally Posted by kgray
ok i will upgrade but until then i NEED some. Tires with 2500 miles on them are almost to the cord on the inner portion. Scott, hurry up! My car will be in pieces. I wonder what new suspension feels like! lol
edge wear is caused by alignment (too much toe out or neg. camber), not old struts. get your alignment checked next time you replace your tires.
Old 04-27-07, 12:56 AM
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Originally Posted by Sgt.Stinkfist
edge wear is caused by alignment (too much toe out or neg. camber), not old struts. get your alignment checked next time you replace your tires.
Alignment on our cars is set by the struts. Wouldn't very worn out struts change the alignment?
Old 04-27-07, 03:43 AM
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Badly worn struts can cause scalloping when the tire bounces too much due to the loss of dampening. Inner tread wear is usually due to badly sagging springs that changes camber or dmaged/worn tie rods. Caster/camber is set by the postioning of the strut tops, toe-in is set by the tie rods.
Old 04-27-07, 11:44 AM
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I got some KYBs for my SA from mazdatrix and they are fine. Not a bad price either if I remember right.
Old 04-27-07, 06:20 PM
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Originally Posted by t_g_farrell
I got some KYBs for my SA from mazdatrix and they are fine. Not a bad price either if I remember right.
Yeah, KYB's aren't a bad choice for a stock, street-driven vehicle. They're just inadequate for any kind of competitive driving.
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