I have an 2.0 protege with only 30k. It was been in a small curb accident last winter. The right front strut and steering column was replaced. The handling hasnt been the same since. It has a loose feel and the steering has alot more play.. any help would be great!

 

Were the parts replaced with new or used? Also, did they use an aftermarket strut or a Mazda factory part. That will definitely change the feel of the car. Also, if you hit the curb so bad that the strut and steering column needed to replaced,you had to have damaged the lower control arm, and possibly the ball joint and steering rack.

 

The replacement parts that were installed were directly from the factory. But the steering rack was mazda re-conditioned.

 

just sounds like something got missed in the work. i would start with the ball joint and move onward and inward to things like the outer tie rod ends and inner if yours has inners. if there is any play in any of these parts, they need to be replaced. then i would check the alignment and tow of the front end. if the alignment is out, there is no adjustment so there will still be something wrong. if it wobbles at speed, it is a bad strut or tie rod end.