Had my 2008 MS3 a week now, time to change the shocks

[JonShar]

I like Koni's a lot. They give a firm ride without the harshness. They also help with the handling, offering better control. if you are not interested in lowering, the Koni FSD would be the best choice.

That's great, thanks for the info!

I have been running SenSen Mazda5 shocks on Cobb springs for a bit now, they work great (even if they are cheap Chinese made). They are a little firmer than OEM and not much $$$. There is a thread about them on here, the vendor is APX auto.

also, those blue rear springs are a little lighter blue than my cobbs, they might be roadmagnets, if i remember right, the roadmagnets drop the car a little lower in the rear.

Thanks for the info about the SenSen shocks - and I think you're right about the roadmagnets after looking at the pics on Google, they look identical in color. I'll know more next week when I get them off, thanks!

 

[JonShar]

Got new rotors in today - have never done anything like replacing them myself, is it worth trying or will I end up fracking the whole thing up?

 

[WillD]

Are you replacing the brake pads at the same time? Why just rotors?

It isn't a terribly difficult thing to replace yourself. Plenty of articles out there: http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/pr...speed3/step-step-brake-tech-our-mazdaspeed-3/

 

[JonShar]

Are you replacing the brake pads at the same time? Why just rotors?

It isn't a terribly difficult thing to replace yourself. Plenty of articles out there: http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/pr...speed3/step-step-brake-tech-our-mazdaspeed-3/

The brake pads are only 6 months old, but apparently they didn't turn the rotors when they replaced the brake pads. They vibrate and tick-tick like crazy, so I figured it was a good time to go ahead and get some new ones, keep the old ones for backup when needed. Hopefully they haven't ruined the brake pads by now.

In other news I replaced by PMM today, but it didn't get rid of the groaning noise I get sometimes under low acceleration/turning. I'm guessing that's the wheel bearings, I'll have to take it in next week probably to have it looked at.

Only had it a month, and love the car, but jeez it's got some issues that whilst seemingly minor so far are a bit discouraging... looking forward to being able to just hit the road with it and enjoy it rather than listening for problems!

 

[JonShar]

So I just happened upon a thread from 2009 where someone was complaining about their MS3 '08 making the same noise mine has been making - apparently it was something to do with the LSD, and changing out the trans fluid for a Ford oil really helped get rid of it... just ordered the oil online, hopefully that does the trick!

 

[WillD]

You won't be disappointed with that stuff. I hope it solves your problem too.

 

[JonShar]

Thanks very much Will, I appreciate that!