ArmyOfOne

I have a question because I do not have enough time to check.



Are the struts on an '84 rebuildable??



I noticed that the front right stays stuck in the up position while I was working on it last weekend. I have been searching for new ones and they have 2 types available. Replacement cartridges and complete sets. I am on a very tight budget so I really need an answer.



Thanks in advance guys.

jgarza77

[quote name='ArmyOfOne' date='Jun 16 2005, 02:15 PM']I have a question because I do not have enough time to check.



Are the struts on an '84 rebuildable??



I noticed that the front right stays stuck in the up position while I was working on it last weekend. I have been searching for new ones and they have 2 types available. Replacement cartridges and complete sets. I am on a very tight budget so I really need an answer.



Thanks in advance guys.


[/quote]

replacement cartridges work on the 12A suspension GS, GSL, but Ive found that they tend to rattle on the GSL-SE suspension even though they look identical. Anyhow if your seven is a GS, GSL, then the replacement cartridge would be the cheaper route.

FB MAZDATURBO

well if you do the cartriges the reason they might rattle is because they are a little to short so you might have to drop a washer or two in the bottom of the housing

jgarza77

[quote name='FB MAZDATURBO' date='Jun 17 2005, 11:08 AM']well if you do the cartriges the reason they might rattle is because they are a little to short so you might have to drop a washer or two in the bottom of the housing


[/quote]

tried that but, it seems to rattle to the sides not up and down

treceb

drop more washers?? i doubt itll rattle up and down when the cartridges have a nut to hold them in place. i think were talking about the same thing.

FB MAZDATURBO

yeah they do have a nut on the top but if it isnt pushing on the cartridge then it will move up and down

jgarza77

I put washer in there to fix the up and down rattle, but the diameter of the cartridge is smaller on the aftermarket ones than the stock. The aftermarket tokico and kyb's that are offered for the 84-85 12a suspension are slightly shorter and smaller diameter than the GSL-SE. As far as I can see anyway. Ive done the cartridge swap recently on mine and was rattling so I took them out and placed washers and tighten them back up and installed, went for a drive and still rattling. I'll jack the car up and you can shake the tire and see the cartride move side to side. Before doing this I thought it was my wheel bearing so I got new Powerslots and bearings installed and still rattling. Ive thougth about throwing in some O-rings or even J-B Weld to make up for the difference, but I found some stock strut assemblies from another GSL-SE and they are still good so Ill be yanking those new ones out and putting on the used...............ebay? I have like 6 GSL-SE brake rotors sitting there Ill clean up and maybe even turn and put on ebay.......yeah!!

FB MAZDATURBO

i havent run into that on my gsl-se yet i have had tokiko illuminas in it for years thats interresting

ArmyOfOne

Thankyou very much for the replies. I decided to sve myself the trouble. I found some complete with spring assemblies on e-bay for 30 bucks. Can't beat that!!! (unless they are busted) lol.



Thanks again.

jgarza77

I ended up installing some used ones also from another GSL-SE, they are not the greatest of shape but can live with that instead of the rattling from the others. I took the old/new apart and sure enough you could see where the cartridge was starting to wear the paint off around it, pics tomorrow if I remember to bring camera to work........cant believe no one else has had this problem before. GSL-SE shock are rebuildable??.......anyone know if there is any truth in that?