referring to this write up:
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...nstall-on-MZ3-with-lotsa-pics...&daysprune=-1
Great write up. ten times easier than factory manual, which tells you to disconnect steering gear and steering links.
Anyhow. I just did them on my son's 08 MS3.
1. done on lift, it's even easier, as crossmember does not pull backward.
2. I did not have to undo the last 2 bolts completely. I opened them maybe 1/4 inch, and that was enough to slide my - VERY LARGE - hands in along with regular socket wrench.
3. Bushings on our car are different from one on his. They do not have ridges on the top and are much smaller. Unfortunately, that's what NAPA sold me - ones that are made apparently for regular non-turbo vehicle. So, here I am, with car torn on the lift, and bad bushings - and no one having them in stock. PLus, lift is a courtesy from a neighbor that has to fix his daughter car today, and keeps looking at his wrist watch.
So, what do we do?
Fix bushings
HOW TO FIX BUSHINGS IF YOU ARE IN A PINCH:
I, basically, made sway bar and bushings larger, so that brackets squeezed them down to functional condition.
I wrapped 2 layers of metal tape around sway bar bushing seats.
My bushings had recess for bracket. I cut strip of 1mm metal, long enough to wrap around entire bushing outside, and shaped it to the bushing. Slid bushings back on, as I could not pull sway bar our, put those metal shims onto bushings, put brackets over the shimmed brackets, and tightened everything with bolts.
THAT SWAY BAR IS IN THERE now. Knock was gone instantly. I have no doubt it's just temp fix, but I bought time to look around and find right bushings, which should be for 26mm bar, 36 width and 38 height.
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...nstall-on-MZ3-with-lotsa-pics...&daysprune=-1
Great write up. ten times easier than factory manual, which tells you to disconnect steering gear and steering links.
Anyhow. I just did them on my son's 08 MS3.
1. done on lift, it's even easier, as crossmember does not pull backward.
2. I did not have to undo the last 2 bolts completely. I opened them maybe 1/4 inch, and that was enough to slide my - VERY LARGE - hands in along with regular socket wrench.
3. Bushings on our car are different from one on his. They do not have ridges on the top and are much smaller. Unfortunately, that's what NAPA sold me - ones that are made apparently for regular non-turbo vehicle. So, here I am, with car torn on the lift, and bad bushings - and no one having them in stock. PLus, lift is a courtesy from a neighbor that has to fix his daughter car today, and keeps looking at his wrist watch.
So, what do we do?
Fix bushings
HOW TO FIX BUSHINGS IF YOU ARE IN A PINCH:
I, basically, made sway bar and bushings larger, so that brackets squeezed them down to functional condition.
I wrapped 2 layers of metal tape around sway bar bushing seats.
My bushings had recess for bracket. I cut strip of 1mm metal, long enough to wrap around entire bushing outside, and shaped it to the bushing. Slid bushings back on, as I could not pull sway bar our, put those metal shims onto bushings, put brackets over the shimmed brackets, and tightened everything with bolts.
THAT SWAY BAR IS IN THERE now. Knock was gone instantly. I have no doubt it's just temp fix, but I bought time to look around and find right bushings, which should be for 26mm bar, 36 width and 38 height.
