Identify These Mazda Parts Found in my Glove box After Dealer Prep

[reMarkable]

(See the photo taken with my cell’s camera.)

When I got home after picking up my new ’08 Sport AT – I found this bag of rubber grommet type things in the glove box. There is a pictogram on the plastic bag that seems to indicate they go underneath/on the frame of the car. The picture doesn’t look specific to the Mazda5.

I went to the dealer and asked. The first service person asked if I had cargo tie-downs in my car – I said I did – and he said they go in there. So I dutifully went out the the car – and tried to see how they might fit on them – and without opening the bag, I didn’t think that they would. So I went back in to the Service Desk and asking a different person – she didn’t know either – but someone 30’ away, from behind the parts counter called her over. She came back and explained that they were in the event the car was towed.

Looking at them once more – and looking at the pictogram again – which you probably can’t see too well – I’m now speculating they may be a cushion in the event you use the jack, to protect the jack points. But I really don’t know jack about it (huh)

UPDATE: Now that I think about it - if they were for the jack points - why have four - you'd only use one a most - so I withdraw my previous theory. Hopefully one of you will recoginize what they are.

 

[andre0121]

they hold the exhaust flangs

 

[reMarkable]

andre0121 - thanks for the quick repsonse.

Pardon my ignorance - but what are exhuast flangs and do you think these things need installing?

 

[orlandomsp]

They look like exhaust hangers.

Here's a picture to give you an idea of how they're used.

 

[reMarkable]

Thanks orlandomsp.

Do they hold some weight? I assure you these things aren't that thick or tough. They are about 1.5" long and only .5" think. Also - do you see the picture on the sealed bag they're in; would exhaust hangers be located in/at those four points? The writing on the sealed package says "Insert the Plug" - sorry I didn't mention that before.

Thanks again - any and all input would be helpful.

 

[TheMAN]

they were supposed to be installed during PDI
the jackass who did your PDI halfassed your car... puts much confidence to a new owner doesn't it?

those are plugs that goes into holes under the car... they were not installed when the car was shipped in order to chain down the car to those holes during shipment

 

[silver slotege]

^ agreed.
They look like the plugs I used to have on my SUV in case the cabin *ahem* filled with water *ahem* you could pull these out to drain it. Obviously you wont have to worry about your car filling with water, but you do not want water/grime getting into the holes. Plug them up ASAP.

 

[coolmazda5]

Geez guys, no big deal, just put them where the plastic bag indicates they should be. For my 06 they also came in the bag and installed them underneath in 2 minutes (4 little holes in the frame, I'm assuming it is for insulation or to drain as mentioned above). For my 08 they came pre-installed...

...AND THEY ARE NOT FOR THE EXHAUST AND DO NOT HOLD ANY WEIGHT

 

[slvrsleeper]

No no no no no, you are all WRONG. Those are slvnanian hovrast bushings! Any moron could tell that just from looking at the picture! They are there to protect your hovrasts in the event of phase shift during re-entry. Duh! Some people I swear!

 

[AO928]

They look like muffler bearings to me.

 

[reMarkable]

Thanks One and All

Thanks everyone for helping me.

coolmazda5 - the evidence - and my gut says you're right. Based on the generic diagram on the bag - it seems that one set I could reach just by getting on my back next to the car with a flashlight- the other set seems like it's too far under the car to do without a lift - no?

Were you able to do it without putting the car up on a stand, ramp or lift? I used to have those items - before I moved into the city - but alas, no more.

Final question - the plugs aren't symetrical - any idea which side goes in and which goes out? In the picture above, I think you can see at least one- the one on the far right is in one direction - the others are in the opposite direction.

Thanks in Advance again.

 

[acfyu]

From what I know, they are the plugs that plug-in to the tie-down holes that fix the car on the boat when they ship from Japan. I see this a few times in other forums (MX-5).

 

[coolmazda5]

Thanks everyone for helping me.

coolmazda5 - the evidence - and my gut says you're right. Based on the generic diagram on the bag - it seems that one set I could reach just by getting on my back next to the car with a flashlight- the other set seems like it's too far under the car to do without a lift - no?

They are just for each corner, I did not need a lift (unless I plugged them in the wrong holes (eyeballs)), LOL

From what I know, they are the plugs that plug-in to the tie-down holes that fix the car on the boat when they ship from Japan. I see this a few times in other forums (MX-5).

Good down-to-earth way of explaining it , that is it I suppose...

 

[skyhawk]

thanks for the post... I wanted to make sure the rubber are in our Mz5 too. They could have left them uninstalled and we would think it is normal for those holes in the frame to be uncovered..

 

[reMarkable]

Yup, They're the Plugs for the Tie-Down Points

So I went down to my local shop, where I know all the mechanics (which is much closer than the dealer) - and they put up it up on their ramp. We found the tie down points almost immediately and fit them right in. End of story! (Boy is the underside of a new car clean!)

Of course the dealer should have installed them - but at least I caught the error. It's a large dealership for four brands and I was told they prepped 35 cars on Monday - as it was the end of the month (and sales quarter too.) I wonder what else they missed? That might make an interesting thread "Dealer Prep or Lack Thereof."

I believe the tie-down points are also used when the cars are trucked to the dealer and if you have to flat-bed it. I had never heard about the boat on the way over - but it would seem to make sense.

Thanks again everyone your contributions.

 

[coolmazda5]

I had never heard about the boat on the way over - but it would seem to make sense.

Just playing safe, s*&t happens, you know


On July 24, 2006, Mazda was advised that the Mitsui OSK Lines Cougar Ace had run into trouble off the Alaskan coast. Although it is reportedly still afloat, the vessel is on its side,

What caused this incident or the extent of the damage to the vehicles is currently unknown. Just over 4,700 Canadian- and U.S-bound Mazdas were on board. Approximately 60 percent of the cars are MAZDA3s and close to 30 percent are Mazda CX-7s. The vehicles were headed to the ports of Vancouver (Canada), Tacoma and Hueneme in the USA.

A plan for salvaging the vessel is being developed and will be executed by Mitsui OSK Lines as soon as possible.

Mazda will wait until the situation has been fully evaluated and understood, before disclosing further information.

http://thegarageblog.com/garage/splish-splash-a-bunch-of-mazdas-are-takin-a-bath/