2009 Mazda MX-5 Replace struts with loaded strut assembly or just strut alone?

Which strut replacement option is best–fully loaded strut assembly or just the strut?

Struts wear out and when it’s time for strut replacement you’ll have the choice of replacing just the strut or installing a fully loaded strut assembly. Here’s some information to help you make the decision.

Measuring 2009 Mazda MX-5 ride height

your 2009 Mazda MX-5 on a level surface and removes heavy cargo. Then they measure the height from the ground to a manufacturer specified point on the body of your 2009 Mazda MX-5 . Next, the technician measures the distance from the center of the wheel straight up to the fender. Finally, the technician checks the condition of the rubber stop bumpers

Check condition of your 2009 Mazda MX-5 s stop bumper

to see if they have signs of bottoming out. If the measurements are out of spec or the stop bumpers are damaged, it’s time to consider installing new springs along with your new struts.

Struts don’t determine ride height and struts don’t prevent your 2009 Mazda MX-5 from bottoming out. Only the springs keep your 2009 Mazda MX-5 at the proper ride height and prevent it from bottoming out. See this video for more information on measuring 2009 Mazda MX-5 ride height.

Strut assembly in strut spring compressor tool

complete strut assembly. The technician removes the tire, disconnects the stabilizer end link connection at the strut (if equipped), disconnects the brake line attachment and the ABS wheel speed sensor anchor from the strut. Then he removes the two strut-to-steering knuckle bolts and three strut tower nuts. At that point the entire strut assembly comes out.

Next, the technician places the strut assembly in a coil spring compressor tool and compresses the coil spring. Then he removes the top retaining bolt and removes the strut. The technician then removes the jounce bumper and strut bellows from your old strut and transfer those components to the new unit. If the job goes well and the strut mount and coil spring are in good shape, the entire swap takes about 20-mins. This is the labor you’ll save if your buy a fully loaded strut assembly (see the strut replacement cost comparisons below).

Fully loaded strut assembly

new strut, spring isolator (if equipped), jounce bumper, strut bellows, coil spring and strut mount. The cost of a loaded strut assembly is higher than the cost of just the strut. However, most shops recommend replacing the strut mount when replacing just the strut. When you add in the cost of the strut mount to a regular strut only job, the price difference starts to disappear.

With a complete strut assembly, you restore factory ride height and feel and get a quieter ride due to the new strut mount and spring isolator.

What’s the strut replacement cost difference between just a strut and a complete loaded strut assembly?

Let’s look at the costs for a 2007 Toyota Camry.

The labor guide shows 2.2 hours to replace the left and right struts at the same time. But that time doesn’t include strut disassembly and parts swap or an alignment. Disassembly and parts swap adds an additional 0.6-hrs to the job. Using a shop rate of $ 100, the disassembly and parts swap adds $ 60 in labor.