Hello.

I own a 1996 Mazda Protege DX (I think it's a Dx). Mechanic tells me that I have to find a quick strut ( whole assembly, I think) for them to repair the vehicle. Their supplier doesn't have any.

I checked with a Mazda dealership in Naperville, IL and in Georgia. Both informed me that this part is no longer manufactured by Mazda. The part no. is BH2K-28-900.

Do you have any recommendations?

Thank you.

 

Are the coil springs bad? What about the mounting plates? That part number only shows up in my searches on EU sites.

The strut "cartridge" is readily available.

 

I don't think anyone makes a quick strut for the older Protege any more. You will need to get the strut spring tool at the auto parts store and replace the strut yourself (you can still get the strut but not the complete assembly) or take it to a shop to do the strut replacement for you since they will tell you there is not a quick strut for that vehicle. Many auto and suspension shops will do it for labor only if you take the old strut off the car and bring the old assemblies and new struts to them and you can save money that way and not have to buy a tool. Takes them about 15 minutes to do the actual job on both struts. This way is actually a lot cheaper than buying the assemblies. I have had the same part issue on many Mazda Protege vehicles. It has to do with the suspension design changes Mazda was making in those years (90's to early 2000's). I can get a rear quick strut, but not the front since the rear did not change that much and the part is still available.