Want to replace my rear struts '91 vert. Crunching sound from the rear is heard on any small bumps. No obvious signs of fluid leaking from strut.

Never having done this before, the Haynes manual shows a procedure that looks like I can leave the springs in place and just pull the strut off. 1 lower bolt and 2 upper bolts (under rear speaker). It never mentions the spring.

A little confused by this as the exploded diagram shows the strut's upper end threaded into the assembly. Looks like just the threaded post of the strut, not two bolts.

Am I reading this correctly? I don't have a spring compressor tool and was hoping this was an easy R & R.

More involved than this?

Also, Mazdatrix recommends Tokico (H-HU3633) non adjustable strut as a good replacement upgrade. Any comments on these? No problems with these in my Vert, right?

Recommendations please...

 

Okay, maybe this one's so easy that no one wants to tell me that any monkey could do this one. Just want to make sure...I'm new at this.

Piece of cake basic R & R? Any tricks?
Thanks for spending the time to answer in advance.

 

bumpity...

Yeah I've noticed my convertible has the "skawanky" noise at lower speads, but the shocks seem to still be dampening.

 

It is possible to take the entire assembly out of the car by removing the two bolts at the top of the tower and one at the hub. Do not remove the center bolt. You will need a spring compressor to separate the shock from the spring. To get to the top bolts you will have to remove the rear deck and the plastic side trim.

The non adjustable Tokico's will fit ok. I don't know about their performance. The adjustable Tokico's however will not fit under the rear decking.

Rob

 

It is very easy to do, but DO NOT try it without a spring compressor. There should be a place in your town that will rent it to you. You have to remove the shock from the car.

 

Thanks everyone. Appreciate the guidance!

 

To clear up..

You can remove the shock/spring as a unit. Remove the main bolt at the bottom of the strut, and the two mounting nuts at the top. Then pull the strut inwards, and slip it off it's stud. DO NOT remove the center nut on top, or try to separate the springs from the struts without a spring compressor.

PaulC

 

Are those spring compressors pretty easy to use? I can just see the thing letting go and taking off half of my face. Per a recommendation, I'm looking at renting one.

Suggestions?

 

yes, any autoparts store should have them for rent.

Alternately, hoof them over to pep boys and ask them to swap the springs over to your new shocks for you, probably run you 20 bucks or so.

PaulC

 

Coooool! Great idea Silkworm.

Thanks