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Unorthodox way of diagnosing struts - legit?

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    #1

    Unorthodox way of diagnosing struts - legit?

    Driving home on the highway today, I noticed that I could turn the wheel quickly back and forth approximately 2-4 inches from center, and instead of getting crisp (or semi-crisp) steering response, the car just kinda weeble-wobbles from side to side, like a damn boat on a rough sea. I mean pitching like, "I could be wrong, but i think someone replaced your springs with slinkies".

    Would this be a pretty good indication that the struts are shot? I am making this assumption based on the fact that struts are designed to not only stop the oscillation of the springs, but also to counteract and absorb sharp impacts and manuevers (ie. the quicker they're compressed, the more resistance they provide). What do you guys think? Am I nuts?
    1990 Red NA6
    16.43@81mph
    15" Heliums | 195/50 ZE512's | 14° BTDC | DIY cowl induction | Front tower brace | BSP f/r subframe braces | Style bar | Redline Goods shift boot | Mazda6 shift knob | DIY mesh TSI's | Factory badging removed | JDM Roadster emblem | Pivot controller

    sigpic

    1991 Black BG LX
    Unknown
    16° BTDC | Cone filter | HID conversion | Tinted taillights
    Tags: None
    #2
    nuts no. but the correct way is to first look are the struts leaking? do they pass the bounce test? when you go over a bumb is it more then down and up? or is itdown up down up down up?
    mods: engine: fm stroker lightened and knifedged crank, 11:1, custom crank scraper, fully p&p head and intake mani, bored throttle body, flowed and matched stock injectors, rx7 vaf, apexi safc, gude race cams, modded ecu 8200 fuel cutoff, blaster coil, clutchmasters stage 3 clutch, fidanza fly wheel and timeing gears, msp diff, custom shortram in a cold air box

    suspension: s/r struts intrack springs and intrax sway bars 15x6.5 rims kumho mx tires 205 50 r 15

    Comment

      #3
      Like he said do the visual inspection and the bounce test. How long have the struts been in there? How much abuse have they been through? These are other questions to ask yourself. If in doubt replace them with the zx2 sr struts. They cost less than 160 shipped for all 4 from john bleakly ford and they are made by tokico so you know your getting a quality strut. You would just need a conversion kit which consists of the top perches and strut bearings from www.zxtuner.com. It may cost a little more than replacement struts from autozone but they will last longer in the long run.
      1993 Protege LX-Midnight's shadow SOLD
      1996 Honda CBR600-Wrecked. Damn Honda crippled me
      2002 mazda MPV-family truckster SOLD
      2010 VW routon

      Originally posted by jay
      .....they totally underestimated the number of gearheads such as myself that have families but refuse to grow the hell up and stop playing with cars, or that otherwise see the utility of having 4 doors. Obviously I ain't alone, as there are a helluva lotta sti and evo here. Bueler? Beuler? Mazda? Mazda?

      Comment

        #4
        i would say they could be toast. or you have improper spring rates.
        ---Has ClubProtege helped you in someway? show your support by Contributing--- Click Here---

        1992- project FE3..... 313 WHP @ 9.3psi



        I pet my dash when I get into the car..."good car"
        he actually has a mazda tree, parts grow on it

        Comment

          #5
          Sounds like blown/worn struts. Like mentioned above, give them the "bounce test." If the car bounces more than once or twice, replace the struts.

          Also, if you don't have low profile tires, some "slop" while whipping the wheel from side to side while going down the road is scary, but normal.

          Comment

            #6
            Originally posted by Jho View Post
            Also, if you don't have low profile tires, some "slop" while whipping the wheel from side to side while going down the road is scary, but normal.
            Or stock ie low air pressure will give the "spongy" feeling as well with non low profile tires!
            **SOLD** 93 EGT with more suspension mods then your average riced out civic's # of decals + useless "bling/style/culture" mods! **SOLD**
            95 EGT New beater! And gawd damnit shes NOT pink!

            Comment

              #7
              are the zx2-r struts compatible with the ground control coil over kit...?


              My garage...
              http://www.clubprotege.com/forum/vbp...p?do=view&g=19

              Comment

                #8
                yes, directly compatible if you buy the GC kit for a zx2. if you have the protege GC kit... you have to have the front top perches milled out to fit the larger strut shaft, and you need zx2 strut bearings.

                -jon
                Escort GTR -- 11.87 @ 117.6 mph -- 320 HP / 325 Ft. Lbs. @ 23 PSI
                ... The first FWD BG with a Toyota E153 transmission conversion in the USA!
                Looking for BP x Toyota E153 adapter plates? PM me or contact me on Facebook: Riel Performance Parts

                Comment

                  #9
                  dang it i already have my gc coilover kit and i dont want to do or have all that milling and what not done...

                  so... to make it easy im gonna hijack this thread for a sec...

                  what struts are compatible with the pro's gc kit and are not going to give me much extra rise...??


                  My garage...
                  http://www.clubprotege.com/forum/vbp...p?do=view&g=19

                  Comment

                    #10
                    Originally posted by ProTo MaTriX View Post
                    dang it i already have my gc coilover kit and i dont want to do or have all that milling and what not done...

                    so... to make it easy im gonna hijack this thread for a sec...

                    what struts are compatible with the pro's gc kit and are not going to give me much extra rise...??
                    Struts made FOR the pro maybe?!
                    **SOLD** 93 EGT with more suspension mods then your average riced out civic's # of decals + useless "bling/style/culture" mods! **SOLD**
                    95 EGT New beater! And gawd damnit shes NOT pink!

                    Comment

                      #11
                      ^haha^

                      Go ahead with your hijacking, it wasn't really an important thread anyway - I already know my struts are toast, I was just wondering if the method was valid.

                      I wish I had a GC coilover kit...
                      1990 Red NA6
                      16.43@81mph
                      15" Heliums | 195/50 ZE512's | 14° BTDC | DIY cowl induction | Front tower brace | BSP f/r subframe braces | Style bar | Redline Goods shift boot | Mazda6 shift knob | DIY mesh TSI's | Factory badging removed | JDM Roadster emblem | Pivot controller

                      sigpic

                      1991 Black BG LX
                      Unknown
                      16° BTDC | Cone filter | HID conversion | Tinted taillights

                      Comment

                        #12
                        Originally posted by ProTo MaTriX View Post
                        dang it i already have my gc coilover kit and i dont want to do or have all that milling and what not done...

                        so... to make it easy im gonna hijack this thread for a sec...

                        what struts are compatible with the pro's gc kit and are not going to give me much extra rise...??
                        Just keep your Protege coilover sleeve kit and buy some ZX2 S/R struts. Grab a file, and mill out your upper perches. I did it it my car, you can do it to yours.

                        Comment

                          #13
                          sounds easy enough... but when i do get the struts im going to make a new thread and ask for specifics... thnx!

                          zoom you will get one someday... i believe in you!! heh...

                          taz... i know that seems easy enough but i want similar performance to adjustable struts w/o paying 195ea. for the koni inserts!!! cause my money tree died.. and i was not blessed with a green thumb... so i cant bring it back to life! *tear...* but really what are some kick ass struts that dont break tha bank?


                          My garage...
                          http://www.clubprotege.com/forum/vbp...p?do=view&g=19

                          Comment

                            #14
                            Originally posted by ProTo MaTriX View Post
                            taz... i know that seems easy enough but i want similar performance to adjustable struts w/o paying 195ea. for the koni inserts!!! cause my money tree died.. and i was not blessed with a green thumb... so i cant bring it back to life! *tear...* but really what are some kick ass struts that dont break tha bank?
                            Adjustable AND cheap for a BG? Good luck finding some as i'm still trying to find some too!
                            **SOLD** 93 EGT with more suspension mods then your average riced out civic's # of decals + useless "bling/style/culture" mods! **SOLD**
                            95 EGT New beater! And gawd damnit shes NOT pink!

                            Comment

                              #15
                              could be the steering coupling that goes between the rack and the colum if ya meen that u turn the steering wheel and its not as resonsive

                              1990 mazda familia infini 1800 dohc n/a fwd with lsd

                              Comment

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