MX-3.com

Hello Everyone,

This is my first time changing shocks, therefore, I'm new at this. I would like to know what would be a good replacement for the stock shocks. I went to my local Advance Auto Parts and they said $80 each so I would be looking at about $400 for a set. Is there anything cheaper but good/decent that is directly bolt-on? Also, about installation would I need to adjust the shocks afterward? Thanks in advance.

$80 per corner is the cost of just the shock with your stock spring I'm guessing. The problem though is that if your shocks are gone, probably a few other things will need to be replaced as well. Upper spring perches and strut bearings are usually in pretty bad shape.

There are many, many threads discussing the best shock/spring combination. My guess is though that you just want stock replacement, not any sort of upgrade. The Monroe's you're gonna get for your $80 bones are not much to speak of though. Go to the junk yard and see if you can find a 97' - 03' Ford Escort ZX2 and take the struts off it. They bolt right on and most Fords die after 100,00km so they'll still be in better shape than the ones on your MX.

TigEer wrote:Hello Everyone,

This is my first time changing shocks, therefore, I'm new at this. I would like to know what would be a good replacement for the stock shocks. I went to my local Advance Auto Parts and they said $80 each so I would be looking at about $400 for a set. Is there anything cheaper but good/decent that is directly bolt-on? Also, about installation would I need to adjust the shocks afterward? Thanks in advance.

wow thats a f---in rip off, you can get tokicos for a lil over 200 for all 4. if your going to spend 400 dollars get the tokicos blue HP or KYB.
Also glad you mentioned the spring perches and strut bearings wytbishop because I was looking to upgrade my springs/shocks from stock ones and didnt think of that. Got lower ball joints and tie rods so far.

i completely rebuilt my struts with Tokico blues and Eibach springs for the Escort with good used parts from a 98 ZX2 for about $800 including ball joints and outer tie rods.

Shipping to Canada was a bit pricey.

wytbishop wrote:i completely rebuilt my struts with Tokico blues and Eibach springs for the Escort with good used parts from a 98 ZX2 for about $800 including ball joints and outer tie rods.

Shipping to Canada was a bit pricey.

damn that is a bit much, i need to get 3 more tie rods and get the blues and haven't decide on what springs yet. hopefully my mans can get them through his job. Anything else i should be taking a look at?

Thanks for the reply guys.

Yeah, but $80 at my local Advance Auto Parts is for the strut only I think my springs are fine which will save me some money. Also, thanks for the heads-up on the other product I will need to replace. If I were to get tokicos blue HP or KYB (which i probably will b/c it better and cheaper) where can I find a good price on it? Will it affect my ride height (don't want it to be lower or else i can't go up my drive way)? I found this on eBAy http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... &viewitem= is this item sh*ty? Thanks in advance

TigEer wrote:Thanks for the reply guys.

Yeah, but $80 at my local Advance Auto Parts is for the strut only I think my springs are fine which will save me some money. Also, thanks for the heads-up on the other product I will need to replace. If I were to get tokicos blue HP or KYB (which i probably will b/c it better and cheaper) where can I find a good price on it? Will it affect my ride height (don't want it to be lower or else i can't go up my drive way)? I found this on eBAy http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... &viewitem= is this item sh*ty? Thanks in advance

i "believe" the tokico blues are better but most ppl on here have the KYB struts or ZX2 ford racing struts, but i dont see or know a difference between the zx2 ford racing the kyb because i believe kyb makes the ford racing, i dont remember.

EDIT: dont get the ones on ebay that u linked

well usually i would say struts are struts. i went with KYB struts for a mx3, but i wish i had gone with zx2 struts purelly for the slightly lower ride height (due to spring perch location)

if you want to just keep your ride height stock and just basically drive the car cause its the one you have to drive, then just go with w/e strut you can find cheapest (that isnt used) those ebay struts might blow in a year or two depending on how hard drive it/ what sort of road conditions you drive on daily and how much you drive it. how long do you plan on owning and driving this mx3 for?

ps if you are in canada, check out http://www.bestpricecarparts.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, cheap parts plus its canadian so you save on shipping.

personally I have had Tokico shocks with Eibach springs and love the combination. I just got a new set for my second MX-3 and will be installing within the next couple days

heres Tokicos on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TOKICO-H ... ccessories" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

and heres some KYBs
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/KYB-4-ST ... dZViewItem" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

heres some that are even cheaper
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GABRIEL- ... dZViewItem" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

kast2L wrote:

TigEer wrote:Hello Everyone,

This is my first time changing shocks, therefore, I'm new at this. I would like to know what would be a good replacement for the stock shocks. I went to my local Advance Auto Parts and they said $80 each so I would be looking at about $400 for a set. Is there anything cheaper but good/decent that is directly bolt-on? Also, about installation would I need to adjust the shocks afterward? Thanks in advance.

wow thats a f---in rip off, you can get tokicos for a lil over 200 for all 4. if your going to spend 400 dollars get the tokicos blue HP or KYB.
Also glad you mentioned the spring perches and strut bearings wytbishop because I was looking to upgrade my springs/shocks from stock ones and didnt think of that. Got lower ball joints and tie rods so far.

where can you get 4 tokicos for a alittle over $200???? maybe KYB but not Tokico

Thanks guys,

Keep on posting I am still looking for cheap price of the shocks. This is my only car that I drive, but I love it to death!! I'm gonna keep this car forever as my "fun car", but will get a nissan z or supra after college as back up car. It just b/c I'm in college right now and cash is a limiting factor. Thanks again.

Ukrman wrote:

kast2L wrote:

TigEer wrote:Hello Everyone,

This is my first time changing shocks, therefore, I'm new at this. I would like to know what would be a good replacement for the stock shocks. I went to my local Advance Auto Parts and they said $80 each so I would be looking at about $400 for a set. Is there anything cheaper but good/decent that is directly bolt-on? Also, about installation would I need to adjust the shocks afterward? Thanks in advance.

wow thats a f---in rip off, you can get tokicos for a lil over 200 for all 4. if your going to spend 400 dollars get the tokicos blue HP or KYB.
Also glad you mentioned the spring perches and strut bearings wytbishop because I was looking to upgrade my springs/shocks from stock ones and didnt think of that. Got lower ball joints and tie rods so far.

where can you get 4 tokicos for a alittle over $200???? maybe KYB but not Tokico

here is the part number M-18000-Z2....the link to the site http://www.campbellracingparts.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

those are not the same as Tokico HP

yeah those are cheaper..... have them on ebat for $215
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1999-200 ... ccessories" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I think I'm gonna go with kast2L's and Ukrman's advice on the escort zx2 shock http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1999-200 ... ccessories anyone have any last advice? Thanks

TigEer wrote:I think I'm gonna go with Ukrman's advice on the escort zx2 shock http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1999-200 ... ccessories anyone have any last advice? Thanks

lol those are the same ones i just mentioned but they should be good to go.