Lowering my 98 Protege...

[firelizard]

Ah I see. Well lets us know how it goes all the same.

[tylordurben]

just went to advance autoparts yesterday, new strut mounts are about $60 each. does that sound about right?

[Kitty]

online for 45 at parts train for the cheapest.

Im sure you might find a better deal.
They have a warehouse near me though so I get my stuff hella quick.

[tylordurben]

kool thanks

[tylordurben]

im not sure what to buy? there seems to be various part numbers for the strut mounts:

link to parts train strut mounts:

http://www2.partstrain.com/products/Engine/Suspension/Strut_Mount/1998~MAZDA~PROTEGE~4~1.5~PRO--002.html

link to the front strut mounts:

http://www2.partstrain.com/products/Engine/Suspension/Strut_Mount/L3030-167261/000907621/1998~MAZDA~PROTEGE~4~1.5~PRO--002.html

link to rear right strut mounts:

http://www2.partstrain.com/products/Engine/Suspension/Strut_Mount/L3030-167264/000907624/1998~MAZDA~PROTEGE~4~1.5~PRO--002.html

link to rear left strut mounts:

http://www2.partstrain.com/products/Engine/Suspension/Strut_Mount/L3030-167266/000907625/1998~MAZDA~PROTEGE~4~1.5~PRO--002.html

found these front strut mounts on e-bay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/STRUT-MOUNT-MAZDA-PROTEGE-FRONT-95-98-FREE-SHIPPING_W0QQitemZ220004468294QQihZ012QQcategoryZ33590QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Can somebody please help me? i need to order these ASAP, my new struts arrived today and i expect the B+G springs tomorrow or monday.

thanks again for all the help so far,
Yaril

[tylordurben]

i ended up buying all 4 strut mounts for 160 shipped. once they arrive i can install everything.

springs and struts arrived already:

[tylordurben]

so i finally installed everything. the ride is much better. however, i do not see 2.5" drop? will the springs settle or compress more? i think it looks like stock?

any feedback... i will get better pics of the overall car tomorrow:

shot of the front:


shot of the rear:


this is with the wheels painted in black (i was painting my hubcaps):


front tire fender gap:


rear tire fender gap (full tank of gas):

[beetle_orange]

looks good, i think most of the time you wont really see those drops, especially in your case since you got brand new struts as well. when i was doing mine, i used my 8 year old struts and i still didnt see the 2 inch drop.

[superscort93]

How long did it take you to do this project? If it is a weekend thing I will jump on doing it to mine.

[txmzdspd2gen]

Is that suppose to be a 2 inch plus drop? Mines around the same and you barely can put 2 fingers inbetween. I also have new struts on mine and i really like the lower stance coz it makes the car wide and other non lowered car look like a 4x4..lol

[tylordurben]

beetle_orange: i guess your right. i was really hoping to lose the tire fender gap.

superscort93: i have done this "job" before so i knew what i had to do. i also had a good spring compresor and not to mention air tools (not needed). i took about 4 hours start to finish. i took advantage of the car being on stands and rotated the tires and degreesed the wheel wells. as well as painting the rims and hubcaps.

txmzdspd2gen: yup, it claimed 2.25 -2.5 drop. maybe its cause yours has bigger wheels while mine is still on 14s?

i am going to wait about 1 week and then take it to the alignment shop (let it settle i guess). i sure wish this thing was lower.

[txmzdspd2gen]

beetle_orange: i guess your right. i was really hoping to lose the tire fender gap.

superscort93: i have done this "job" before so i knew what i had to do. i also had a good spring compresor and not to mention air tools (not needed). i took about 4 hours start to finish. i took advantage of the car being on stands and rotated the tires and degreesed the wheel wells. as well as painting the rims and hubcaps.

txmzdspd2gen: yup, it claimed 2.25 -2.5 drop. maybe its cause yours has bigger wheels while mine is still on 14s?

i am going to wait about 1 week and then take it to the alignment shop (let it settle i guess). i sure wish this thing was lower.

Well, i might be in 17 inch rims but thats still have the overall diameter specified for our 2gens. Wheels maybe biger but is compensated on the tire thickness.

[tylordurben]

Well, i might be in 17 inch rims but thats still have the overall diameter specified for our 2gens. Wheels maybe biger but is compensated on the tire thickness.

yeah, i understand that. i even rechecked the box to make sure it had the correct part number. what can i do? i was really hoping to loose some of that wheel gap. are my tire size "correct" 195 60R14?

[firelizard]

You could try contacting B+G...

This may sway me in favour of Ground Control...

[Squeekster1]

yeah, i understand that. i even rechecked the box to make sure it had the correct part number. what can i do? i was really hoping to loose some of that wheel gap. are my tire size "correct" 195 60R14?

the tires i got stock with my protege were 195/65/R14. but i've had some 185/65/R14's as well.