What have you done to your P5 today?

[mx-p5]

on startup, they're VERY BLUE!! as they've warmed, they still look blue. It almost monotones everything out. It's strange. My 4300Kit looks like the flippin sun is out. Keeps the colors normal. Her kit just washes everything out. It's hard to describe. But, it could also be the 2300K PIAA fogs I've got adding to it on my car keeping things normal. I 'm not sure.

I pm'd Protophile to see if there is a way to check bulb temp. Just waiting to hear back.



Tylor

 

[Chicoloco]

Sounds like you have wrong bulbs. Is there a way you can check their temps? Like does it have something printed on them?

 

[magnumP5]

...useful information...

So how exactly did you install these if you didn't jack up the rear of the car? Did you use ramps or did you just do it on the ground (seems difficult).

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

ramps is the easiest way. That way the suspension stays loaded...

 

[aMaff]

or... remove wheels, put the car on jack stands, then jack the car at the bottom of the knuckle to the point where the suspension just takes the weight of the car off of the jack stand, and do it there with the suspension loaded to ride height.

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

lol ramps sounds easier to me (crazy)

 

[aMaff]

yeah, but then you're under the car working with not a lot of room. This way, you've got easy access to all the parts you're working with, and more room to swing tools.

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

that = truth

 

[aMaff]

It's one of those 5 minute things that will save you 15 minutes of frustration if you go the 'easy' route.

 

[mazdaspeed777]

yes..I have. Here's the ending result. They look worse in person. I had some really bad ones, but I cant find them.

I have a hard time putting my thoughts into words on this one. The is something that you kinda get a feel for. It's not just throw them on and go...this is why people are having noises, wear, and bending. I have no noises, no wear, nothing. Just works.

Also, I hope this will answer your question magnum.
I believe the point of the adjustability, is for the use of many different sway bars. The object is to get whatever bar you are using, as level with the ground as possible. (I hope that make sense.) If you have the end links too short, the bar will fold over itself and bend the links and possibly break the brackets as well. I did this once, and I learned. Conversely, if you extend the end links too long, then it will hyper extend, so to speak. I did this as well.

Guys, I'm telling you the best way is make sure everything is relaxed, and the sway bar level with the ground. I have found this to be the most reliable, and provides the best performance.

Notice the rear bar is about level with the ground. I believe this is the key...
This is what works for me. All set ups are different, but my car seems happy this way. hehe

So basically I need to adjust my AWR endlinks to the point where the sway bar is level with the ground where ever that may be? So I have not driven my car or moved it at all since I installed my Progress sway bar and AWR endlinks. I installed them with the car jacked up so do you think the AWR endlinks would have bent just by lowering it back down, or does that come after driving it? I will have to check tonight to see if they are bent, I really hope not. I cannot afford to buy another pair! Man AWR should really put this into there install instructions, arent they at falt for the bent endlinks if they dont mention this in the instructions?

 

[o.g.sk8er]

hehe..I'm really skinny so for me to get under the car without ramps is not a problem. lol
But yea, ramps will make it easier. You can get these ramps pretty cheap at Pep Boys. I think mine were $19.95.

 

[o.g.sk8er]

So basically I need to adjust my AWR endlinks to the point where the sway bar is level with the ground where ever that may be? So I have not driven my car or moved it at all since I installed my Progress sway bar and AWR endlinks. I installed them with the car jacked up so do you think the AWR endlinks would have bent just by lowering it back down, or does that come after driving it? I will have to check tonight to see if they are bent, I really hope not. I cannot afford to buy another pair! Man AWR should really put this into there install instructions, arent they at falt for the bent endlinks if they dont mention this in the instructions?

yes..try to adjust the bar so it's level with the ground. I really doubt you bent anything by lowering the car on the ground. I found that when things bent it was when I was screaming around a turn and the inside wheel would hit a nasty bump causing them to bend. or going in a driveway too fast at an angle. Try to avoid this. I think you are fine.

I'm interested in seeing these instructions. I have never seen any instruction for the end links. Anyway you can scan it?

 

[aMaff]

yes..try to adjust the bar so it's level with the ground.

That's called zero pre-load. If the bar's at any angle, with the ground, it's got load on it. If you're sitting still and it's got load on it, it's pre-loaded. The goal is zero pre-load.

 

[o.g.sk8er]

Exactly!~ well said!

 

[CTt3P5]

That's called zero pre-load. If the bar's at any angle, with the ground, it's got load on it. If you're sitting still and it's got load on it, it's pre-loaded. The goal is zero pre-load.

Word(s) for the day - zero pre-load Never knew that...thanks for the edamacasion.

Pulled the cover for the Mazda6 wagon rear wiper off and cut the annoying tab off with an exacto knife. Now I can raise the wiper off the glass without removing the cover. Especially nice on a day like this....when we are supposed to get 1-3 inches of snow and 1/2 inch of ice.

The cover does fit snug but I noticed that the cover now swings freely off the glass as well. Has anyone else who has done this lost the cover while traveling at highway speeds?

 

[mx-p5]

Have yet to do the 6 mod, so, nope. No lost covers.

 

[aMaff]

Word(s) for the day - zero pre-load Never knew that...thanks for the edamacasion.

LOL glad to be of service

 

[magnumP5]

or... remove wheels, put the car on jack stands, then jack the car at the bottom of the knuckle to the point where the suspension just takes the weight of the car off of the jack stand, and do it there with the suspension loaded to ride height.

That's a very novel idea. Might just have to try that now. A wealth of helpful information in here lately

 

[CTt3P5]

Have yet to do the 6 mod, so, nope. No lost covers.

Didn't do this yet? Oh, forgot you are taking the neighborhood kids to soccer practice this week....

Sorry couldn't resist any longer.

Well, just in case I am going to order a spare from onlinemazdaparts when I order the clips for my roof filler strips. Just trying to think of what else I can add to the list.

 

[aMaff]

That's a very novel idea. Might just have to try that now. A wealth of helpful information in here lately

I did that to set up the endlinks for the the front sway bar of the miata. Only problem is you need 2 jacks to get it to work. You'll set the 1st one, but then you have to hold it in position for when you do the other side.