I got a set waiting to be installed. Tufflift? From Amazon.com.

I may end up modifying the stock bracket to accept ball joints on both ends.

Having said that, how do you remove the stock strut from the stock ball joint on the hatch end?

 

I bought a new set of Mazda hatch struts to replace my failing ones.

Removing the stock strut from the ball joint sucked. I ended up using an angle grinder and carefully cutting a horizontal slit all the way through to relieve it from the ball joint: Rear Hatch Struts & Coolant Overflow Tank | Grand Mighty

 

More info on my solution in this thread:

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati...mance-1095081/

 

How did you remove the hatch end of the stock strut from the ball joint?

 

I didn't remove them. To get them out would require grinding and destroying the stock socket.
Instead you can purchase these:

http://www.liftsupportsdepot.com/ar-...ed-1-h93607aw/

Or from whatever source you want. They should be 10MM ball, 8X1.25 thread.

 

So I guess you can put some wrench between the strut and the ball joint to undo the joint off of the hatch?

 

Yes, but you will find the factory ball stud is screwed into the hole very tight most likely. To avoid scratching your hatch plastics, they should be removed and re-installed after you are done putting in the struts.
Also, the body side of the strut.... Yes you have to remove all the interior plastics to be able to get to the mount bolts. I hate taking the interior apart. Something will break every time, and if you're unlucky..... Everything will break