4wd front and rear struts

[Justbp-me]

I was wondering if the springs and struts from a fwd are the same as the 4wd I'm talking JUST the struts and springs I know that everything else is different but it looks like they would be swappable.

[FazdaBoy4ever]

your correct they are the same.

[almighty4wd]

your correct they are the same.

same in the sense that the 2wd is the same as the 4wd. shame, you should know better! They aren't the same, and never will be. We've been over this before. They are close, but not the same. matching spring rates and strut rates to the weight of the car and desired handling characteristics.

[projectmx]

also i think they are either shorter or the bolt hole placement are a little different. they are swappable but will throw your camber i think it is a little and you'll have to get that fixed

[almighty4wd]

I had 2wd from a lx and mine lined up, and mine (4wd) were measurably taller, not just the springs, but the strut as well. I did not find any mounting differences, in the ears, or the brake hose tab. diameter was the same. Fronts are identical, although a stiffer spring is attached. Rears are not, they are taller, with a much stiffer spring.

I wouldn't use 2wd stuff unless you plan for a lowering and new alignment at that height.

[Justbp-me]

Ya I was thinking about lowering it and getting it aligned I found some issues with the back part of my car one of the bolts is bent and I think a trailing arm is twisted I don't know how that happened the car doesn't look like it was in a wreck...

[cruzzer26]

I had 2wd from a lx and mine lined up, and mine (4wd) were measurably taller, not just the springs, but the strut as well. I did not find any mounting differences, in the ears, or the brake hose tab. diameter was the same. Fronts are identical, although a stiffer spring is attached. Rears are not, they are taller, with a much stiffer spring.

I wouldn't use 2wd stuff unless you plan for a lowering and new alignment at that height.

Yeah almighty4wd is right the aren't the same height."The sturts".I replaced mine with j/ys from a 2wd pro and 323 and the struts are smaller and the spring is rate is different.

[Justbp-me]

Is it stiffer or not?

[almighty4wd]

it is. I don't have the info on hand, but the springs are stiffer, larger diameter wire. I don't have a strut dyno to say if the struts are valved stiffer, but since mazda oem charges twice as much for them I'd assume they are valved differently. Then again, the fronts are the exact same, so they make not be.
Tokico makes the rears for mazda oem, kyb for the front.

[Justbp-me]

Well ya I was looking for a junk yard swap for the struts and springs maybe a Escort zx2?

[almighty4wd]

Yeah, ZX2 will work. I can't remember if its just the S/R zx2 struts that are a different diameter shaft or all zx2 struts. Before you go with them, measure just in case. If different, grab the thrust bearings and top mounts, whole thing. search the forums, I'm fairly sure that difference has been answered.

Btw, Kyle (he's in for a little wrenching too) and I can help out Saturday night, or Sunday afternoon; I'll find out tonight which can work best around the family stuff.

[me109]

So...

Just to clarify this a little, the 4wd has a taller strut and a taller, stiffer spring than the 2wd. Right? Or is it the other way?

[Jho]

So...

Just to clarify this a little, the 4wd has a taller strut and a taller, stiffer spring than the 2wd. Right? Or is it the other way?

The front struts are the same, and the 4WD front springs are stiffer.

The 4WD rear struts are taller, and the 4WD rear springs are stiffer.

[Pox]

Quick question, is it longer from the bolt that connects to the hub to where the spring sits? Or somewhere else? .... On the other hand, Ill just go measure it myself. However, Im not sure if the struts on my 4wd are stockers or not... anyone advise?

[therieldeal]

i put the eibachs and s/r's from my old escort on my 4wd

they fit juts fine and have a perfect stance.

the only issue is the rear brake hose tab, i had to fab something up for that.