Well it's time to replace the old factory shocks on my 88' GXL. I've looked around and I haven't been able to find an aftermarket replacement shock that will work with the auto adjusting suspension system in my car. I would like to keep the system intact because I think that it is a really cool factory feature, but there is no way I'm paying $1400 for new shocks from Mazda. That's what a local dealership quoted me for all 4 shocks. I was wondering if anyone out there knows of an aftermarket shock that will work with the AAS, or if there is an aftermarket shock that can be modified to work.

 

does your AAS system still work? can you notice it? you can go the high road and get some tein coilovers and the EDFC but it doesnt use the stock system.

 

As far as i can tell, the AAS will be specifically setup for those shocks. My shocks have an adjustable top, but the degree that the computer turns the struts for adjustment will differ.

You could go with an adjustable shock, and keep it soft most of the time, and hard if you do some aggressive driving. But, if you do replace the shocks, I highly suggest replacing the springs too. Most of them are past worn out by now. Eibach makes some Progressive springs. Or, the Pro- sets. The pro is progressive, not professional. Progressive get stiffer the harder you corner. So, it isn't rock hard all the time, just when you are doing some hard cornering. Most of the time they are normal.

Good luck! I think if you want to keep the stock AAS, you will need to purchase the OEM stuff.

 

I just installed the Eibach prokit springs and Energy Suspension poly bushings in the car. That's how I know the struts are cooked. The AAS system in my car does still work surprisingly enough, the shocks themsleves though are done for. I may just have to suck it up and dissable the system.

 

not to steal your thread buggy but i was wonderin if i could install the s-tech tein springs on my stock aas shocks. will there be any kind of problems with the aas and shorter springs?

 

As long as you're just replacing the spring itself and not the strut mounts, I don't think there would be a problem. The top of the shock rod where the nut threads on has a flat side on it which locates the aas rod properly with the mount. Just take note of the position of the flat spot before you dissassemble your strut assembly, and make sure you put it back together the same way. Should work out just fine.

 

so i own a GXL and im going to take out the stock shocks and put in KYB's with Tein springs....what mods will i have to do to accomplish this? other than strut tower bearings?

 

Are the KYB's that you are getting designed to replace the AAS equiped struts? If they are, all you should have to do is remove the AAS actuators and leave them off. The factory mounts should work fine. If not, you'll have to get upper strut mounts from a non GXL car probably. The AAS shocks have that flat spot on the strut rod and the mounts are shaped to fit that flat spot. I would assume non AAS shocks have a round rod and won't fit with the AAS equipped strut mounts.

 

the AAS system is exactly like the tein EDFC system, or more like the other way around.

its a controller, "normal" adjustable shocks, and a little stepper motor to control it.

the thing with the mazda system is that the "adjusters" on the top of the shocks are "weird".

also the amount the stepper turns the adjuster is prolly different than anything else.

if you were industrious you could maybe get something to work with the mazda system. kind of a more time than money project.

it IS a neat system

 

I just like being lazy and being able to press the button ,rather than having to go around and adjust each shock idividually. Plus with the AAS system you can change the dampening on the fly. It's great when you're just cruising and you suddenly come up on some wicked curvesCan you say Sport Mode!

 

I should see if I could get a hold of one of those stuts maybe machine an adapter to work. It would probably end up costing me as much as the replacement shocks from Mazda would be though.

 

Great thread
. I been looking for this one for awhile. I also have a Gxl with AAS. And still works..
4 or 6 seconds from change over and feel the difference Big time. However the rear end on normal mode is quite loose.. I also got the same quote from mazda and looked for places that sell shocks that would work with AAS. No luck.. AAS system is great. And i have driven Many rx7s, GTU's, base models turbo2 and for some reason My car has the tightest suspention out of all of them. hardly any roll Either.. Did all the GXls come with the Tight suspentoion like this?

 

Ya I really like the idea of the AAS i dono its a pretty cool feature to me. Definately easier than adjusting each shoch one by one. Ive asked before if I could replace just the springs and all I got was Ya probably but I should go buy a set of aftermarket shocks too. But Moneys kinda tight and my AAS still works good. Why replace it with something that doesnt "Auto Adjust"

 

I was thinking is there a way to Recharge the shocks, Or put new seals in it and put it back on? I thought i read somewhere that some shops can cut the shock open and rebuild them

 

And ya rx7 freakkk i just looked at this 1987 rx7 spec & feature thing i found and at least in 1987 only the gxl came with the AAS

 

I'll have to take a look and see if they are rebuildable. I never though of that. Some are and some aren't though. Another thing would be trying to find a rebuild kit for them. I'll take a cruise through the parts fiche and see what I can find. My car always felt tight too, even with only one good shock. It always felt solid in corners even at 100+ Kms/hr. (Thats a little over 60mph for any non Canadians) Over a bumpy road though you could feel the rear end of the car walk all over the place. It also has a fair amount of body roll (due to the blown shocks I would assume).

 

yea my rear end walks all over the place too i got both bad struts in the back and it feels sloppy back there so i got some dtss eliminator bushings and energy suspension rear control arm bushings and kybagx with tein springs we will see what happens when i put all that together

 

That should stiffen life up for you. I Still have to do an alignment on mine too which doesn't help either. I haven't had time to bring it into the shop and put it on the alignment rack. Did you get a replacement sub link for the rear so you can adjust the rear camber? I know mine was way negative so I put one in. I aslo haven't had time to look at the parts fiche. That's on the list to do today.

 

I contacted another Mazda dealer here in Ontario. They are a little more "RX-7 Owner" friendly. They actually give out a discount for RX-7 club members. They knocked the price down on the shocks considerably, so I went ahead and ordered them. It's a good day, I get to keep my AAS!

 

really? what are they charging you? cause i might want to pick some up down the road someday

 

I'm getting all 4 for just around $1000. That's alot better than over $1400. The dealership is Scarboro Mazda. They have a website and you have to contact the parts manager Steve. They're an awesome dealership, just look on the garage link in their website.