[PattieL]

I was told my rear shock absorber was leaking and they recommend replacing the pair. Pricing for the Mazda parts is hefty compared to other brands.
Is it really worth it to buy the Mazda parts?
Thank you.

 

[Byakuya]

Welcome to the forum!

Sorry to hear about your car - You'll be fine getting shocks from just about anywhere but remember 2 things:

1) You get what you pay for.
2) We call them "stealerships" for a reason.

Personally, I'd go aftermarket and get some slight upgrades for about the same price as OEM - problem might be finding someone who will install them for you - doing the rears yourself isn't too terrible.

 

[PattieL]

Thank you for the prompt response. I made an appt at Meineke for next week. They have good reviews.

 

[jman]

I lived in a country where the roads are full of pot holes, Mazda, factory-reinforced all suspensions for cars sold there and they all came with KYB's.
Since then, that is the only brand I buy.

 

[TalonTsi90]

I lived in a country where the roads are full of pot holes, Mazda factory-reinforced all suspensions for cars sold there and they all came with KYB's.
Since then, that is the only brand I buy.

For OE replacement, you cant go wrong with KYB.

 

[Sydtron]

Thank you for the prompt response. I made an appt at Meineke for next week. They have good reviews.

Welcome to the Forum Community! What year and trim Mazda6 do you have? As the others have said, I would also recommend the KYB for a good value shock absorber. Before you take your car to Meineke, find out what part (and brand) they may be using. Mazda's tend to be tuned a little sportier and tighter and if they put a bog standard shock on the car, it may not handle the way you'd like.

 

[PattieL]

Welcome to the Forum Community! What year and trim Mazda6 do you have? As the others have said, I would also recommend the KYB for a good value shock absorber. Before you take your car to Meineke, find out what part (and brand) they may be using. Mazda's tend to be tuned a little sportier and tighter and if they put a bog standard shock on the car, it may not handle the way you'd like.

Thank you. I have a 2014 Mazda 6 Gran Touring. They said either Monroe or Gabriel. I am going to ask them for sure. Several folks here have recommended KYB. Not clear on what "bog" stands for but am guessing you mean like third-party brand? The curious thing is I do not notice any change in the ride of the car. Elsewhere, I've read that some leakage is normal. What say ye? I

 

[PattieL]

Welcome to the forum!

Sorry to hear about your car - You'll be fine getting shocks from just about anywhere but remember 2 things:

1) You get what you pay for.
2) We call them "stealerships" for a reason.

Personally, I'd go aftermarket and get some slight upgrades for about the same price as OEM - problem might be finding someone who will install them for you - doing the rears yourself isn't too terrible.

Thank you. Well, that is contradictory. If you get what you pay for, then that implies I should get them at the pricier dealership. There is no way I am going to attempt car repairs myself

 

[PattieL]

Okay, friends. What do you say about KBY GR2s? Was told they are better than the premium Monroe and better for foreign made vehicles.
Thank you!

 

[TalonTsi90]

Okay, friends. What do you say about KBY GR2s? Was told they are better than the premium Monroe and better for foreign made vehicles.
Thank you!

I already told you

 

[PattieL]

I already told you

Well, there are different types of the KBY brand. That is what I was asking about specifically.

 

[TalonTsi90]

Well, there are different types of the KBY brand. That is what I was asking about specifically.

Theres only ONE KYB direct OE replacement, the GR2's. Otherwise i would have said something else.

 

[Byakuya]

Thank you. Well, that is contradictory. If you get what you pay for, then that implies I should get them at the pricier dealership. There is no way I am going to attempt car repairs myself

Sorry, you're absolutely right since I didn't explain it well.

You get what you pay for, but the dealership up-charges for their parts and labor. What costs $800 for a dealership to do would certainly not be the same quality you could get by spending the same money going elsewhere, and definitely not as good of quality for spending that much to do it yourself.

The dealership will get you OEM quality for slightly-higher-than-average labor costs. If you have a mechanic that you trust, they'll probably do the exact same thing and same quality for cheaper.

 

[TalonTsi90]

Dealers usually get parts for the same price you can at the auto parts store, and then mark them up for you.

 

[PattieL]

Theres only ONE KYB direct OE replacement, the GR2's. Otherwise i would have said something else.

I've seen info on

Sorry, you'r absolutely right since I didn't explain it well.

You get what you pay for, but the dealership up-charges for their parts and labor. What costs $800 for a dealership to do for you would certainly not be the same quality you could get by spending the same money going elsewhere, and definitely not as good of quality for spending that much to do it yourself.

The dealership will get your OEM quality for slightly-higher-than-average labor costs. If you have a mechanic that you trust, they'll probably do the exact same thing and same quality for cheaper.

Yup, they would get a lot more business if they price-matched. I might ask them that I've been taking it to the dealer since it was new, but now that it's getting in the repairs season I might have to go back to searching for a good mechanic who doesn't gouge single women. Wish me luck!

 

[Byakuya]

I've seen info on

Yup, they would get a lot more business if they price-matched. I might ask them that I've been taking it to the dealer since it was new, but now that it's getting in the repairs season I might have to go back to searching for a good mechanic who doesn't gouge single women. Wish me luck!

Tell 'em some random strangers on the internet know better than they do and they ought to listen XD

 

[PattieL]

Well, are you ready for the news after all this? I took my car to the Meineke shop today and told him I wanted a second opinion on the shocks. The manager brings me out after raising the car up and says "You're fine. There is no leak." And explained to me the fact that there was no oil on the shock. The difference in color was due to the piece that shields the top of it from dirt. So, I was - as you can imagine - both glad and pissed at the same time. Let's just say I called the manager of the dealership and she wanted me to bring the car in so she could take a look. I told her I touched it with my own hands, don't you believe me. Then she tried the "You're going to sever our relationship over this?" Yup, I replied. You do me wrong once, I'm not giving you a second opportunity. So thank you for all the advice on what brand I should go with. The Meineke guy said they typically last 60k - 100k miles. I'll be ready then. Saved myself $400!

 

[Byakuya]

Well, are you ready for the news after all this? I took my car to the Meineke shop today and told him I wanted a second opinion on the shocks. The manager brings me out after raising the car up and says "You're fine. There is no leak." And explained to me the fact that there was no oil on the shock. The difference in color was due to the piece that shields the top of it from dirt. So, I was - as you can imagine - both glad and pissed at the same time. Let's just say I called the manager of the dealership and she wanted me to bring the car in so she could take a look. I told her I touched it with my own hands, don't you believe me. Then she tried the "You're going to sever our relationship over this?" Yup, I replied. You do me wrong once, I'm not giving you a second opportunity. So thank you for all the advice on what brand I should go with. The Meineke guy said they typically last 60k - 100k miles. I'll be ready then. Saved myself $400!

Glad you got a second opinion and they were willing to show you for yourself what everything looked like. They're absolutely right that, if the shock had blown, you'd see the oil and/or dirt it collects all over the shock and many of the components around it.

Meineke guy is also on the money for how long a shock typically lasts, and that's heavily determined by the driving conditions you typically use the car in.

Finally - that's the issue with stealerships - they make the majority of their money on repairs and such. My dealer wanted to charge me $800 to replace my wife's Mazda 3's rear brakes. I showed them my favorite finger ? and did it myself for $250 and about 2 hours.