2006 Mazda 3 Remplacement

MADZAWOES

MEMBER
2006 MAZDA 3
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
53,000 MILES

Good morning,

I recently visited my Mazda dealer to get me regular oil change. The advisor asked me if I wanted to have the complete 50 000m inspection performed, which I accepted.

Their inspection revealed that the left fron Shock and link bar were damaged and had to be replaced. They also suggested to have a wheel alignement done once the repairs were completed.

Unfortunaltey my warrentee did not cover the cost because I exceed the mileage by about 4 000 miles. I contacted 2 other mechanics to get quote on the cost of replacing these parts (without them having yet inspected the vehicle yet) because I found the priced quote by Mazda was quite high.

Mechanic 1 advised me that you should always change both Shocks (left and right) and not just one. Is that philosophy the norm?

Mechanic 2 found it stranger that my Mazda dealer said that both the shock and link bar should be raplaced, he says it usually one or the other. Especially since there is no noise coming from the front left suspension.

Can you give me your opinion?

regards,

Joe

1 Reply

RACEFAN966

MECHANIC
5,029 POSTS

I would agree with the first mechanic. See shock and struts wear equally so you put a new one on one side and use the old one on the other and you can have what I call bump steer. Meaning when you hit a bump it will not react the same from side to side and may cause it to jerk to one side or the other. So what I would do is both front struts and only the sway bar link that is bad and have it realigned and be done.