Ugh, I hate to say, I did not stop by my own thread and just finished installing.
I could push in the old ones with my pinky and they would not come out any more.
Swaybar endlinks have been replaced with Moog. Even without corrosion, it was a PITA to get them off, bloody Inbus keys. One mount was easier done with a cut of grinder and a chisel.
Those are the Bilstein B6 Sport (at least that is what they are called in Germany. In the US they come up as B6 HD).
PartNr. 35-110736 & 35-110743
Here is what I can say:
- The unit has the same base measurements as the stock Mazda strut. It is a direct drop-in minus a few smaller adjustments.
- Piston diameter is SUBSTANTIALLY larger, I had re-drill the bumpstops and the plastic cup inside the dust-cover, which clamps to the bottom of the strut.
- The hole where you affix the brake-like with the shim was a bit too small. Just a 5min Dremel operation.
- I had to minimally widen the clamp prior to mounting (just drive a narrow axe-head into the gap a little bit).
- FFS, do not buy those Febi Bilstein strut mounts. Any extra dollar spent on those is a waste. I assumed the badge = a higher quality product, the opposite is true.
The ball-bearing part is a direct copy. The mounting plate has the VERY annoying habit of dropping the threaded pieces!
Compared it with he OEM plate, there the threaded parts are held on much better!! (better pressing, hex cutout instead of round and star-shaped surface for extra grip to keep it from spinning when you tighten on top.)
I have not driven a single mile. Engine is idling outside and I am going to get a shower now.