Tim and Brian from Mazda Motorsports are usually very good, but occasionally they are wrong or don't know about something I ask. I bought the full set of MazdaSpeed struts from them, and mine all say Tokico on them, so... ;)

Mine are all Tokicos too, but I understand the early ones were KYBs. Good thing too, I like Tokico better.

When I finally got thru to MMS and talked to Brian, he hooked me up with the 7-1/2" end link P/N B26R-34-170. Brain swears that's the 7-1/2" #, but the dealer says it's 9". We'll see who's right. All I know is there are 4 possible lengths @ $35 ea, and Mazda can't make up it's mind on which to use.

I always seem to need the one manufacturer part that no one understands, but this wasn't near as bad as finding the right central port injector assy for a late model GMC.

Early ones meaning earlier Protege generations? I've had my struts for quite a while, so I'd be surprised if Mazda ever used KYB to produce the MazdaSpeed struts for the 3rd gen. :dunno:

No not earlier Pros, but earlier strut builds. But now I think about it, it's not like Tokico to use the side knobs for adjustment. Maybe they outsource the rear inserts to KYB, and Tokico only assembles the final strut to Mazda spec. That'd be a typical spec supplier chain, but who knows. I know I don't really care as long as they work.

Until I get my front bar tied down I can't really tell, but the full hard settings seems a bit much at both ends. What settings are you using?

I usually use the softest setting in the front on the street, and about the 2.5 mark on the rear.

I got my links in today and figured I'd note for the record that the above P/N is for 7-1/2" links, even if the invoice still says 9". So Brian was right and Mazda's DB and mico fiche are ephed up. I am doing better with the dealer though, cuz I'm now getting the 20% shop discount on parts. Woo Hoo! That's only like 130% over cost now.