Coilover assistance needed please

[leftydog1961]

Hi! I have a 2003 MSP and my right rear strut, and coil look to be blown. coil is loose in the strut, and bangs hard with bumps. I would like to replace this with a strut assembly or coilover which avoids compressing the spring for installation. Most online auto shops do not specify MSP as an option for their coil overs, and I do not want to chance buying the wrong part which would fit the protege but not the mazdaspeed version.

anyone have ideas, links where i can get the entire assembly (right rear) specifically for the MSP.

Thanks,

[Natey]

Springs sag, but don't blow out. It's probably your strut that's blown. How many miles are on the car?

A set of Tokico Blue strutss are what your MSP came from the factory on. I'd replace the struts with those. Any coilover you find for a Protege these days is gonna be universal type crap that's not tuned to our cars, so your ride and handling will suffer.

A 30 dollar Harbor Freight spring compressor is easy to use and will save you a few bucks, too.

https://www.harborfreight.com/automo...set-63262.html

[leftydog1961]

Thanks, I finally took out the strut today after a 3 hr tug of war, and having to dremel off the rusted sway bar link. this is NOT a fun job!. In the process, the ratcheting mechanism of the seat belt (removed the bolt on top holding the seatbelt to the frame) seems to have sucked in all of the seatbelt and now it wont unravel (yet another problem!!) . But anyways,. i just want to buy a cheap strut and bearing strut mount. What are my options? Not really interested in ride and handling cause its old and rusty so its a beater.
the coil does look rusty and its no longer seated properly in the rubber holders at the top and bottom (they are pretty much torn or missing pieces).
Is it worth replacing the spring as well.
this way, i can just buy a strut and new spring and top mount and not have to remove the old spring. I am a bit nervous using the spring compressor so would prefer to just have to do this once on the new setup and just trow away the old strut and coil.

thanks

[Natey]

Springs:
Suspension Spring Sets - Mazda Protege Performance Parts
You'll need the bump stops too since you're in a Mazdaspeed Protege which is a little lower than a lesser model.

Struts:
https://www.streetunit.com/Tokico_Bl...ge_p/hb222.htm

This, along with the racing beat swaybars are what the MSP came on from the dealership and will take you another 100k miles easily.