We have some really steep approach angles on the aprons to local businesses, crazy potholes, and some nasty ice chunks in the winter, and the underside of our 5 is taking quite a beating. I saw evidence that the ac compressor took a pretty significant hit at some point between my last oil change and the one I did last night.
I know my brother in law bought something called a 'panzer plate' for his '99 Jetta TDI. It was 3/8" thick aluminum plate with all the holes and brackets to attatch it to the car from the bumper to the front suspension crossmember. It had appropriate holes for filters, ventilation, and other things cut out, and was formed to fit quite well as a bolt in install. (I helped him a little bit with the installation, and it was pretty slick!) I saw something similar available for the Mazda3's, but I am not sure if it would install on the Mazda5. I really would like to get my hands on something like that. If I were a better fabricator with the right equipment, I would consider building them myself and sell them to others with similar needs, but the $250 would be worth it to me for something similar if someone already had one developed. Any leads would be appreciated. Thanks.
RANT WARNING: Oh, and does anyone know why they put the hole in the factory plastic splash cover/'skid plate' behind the oil filter housing? To me, it would make much more sense to place it directly beneath the filter, and enlarge the hole just an inch overall for easy access without removing the belly cover every time you do an oil change. I have done enough oil changes on our Mazda5 to really hate them now. It is hard enough to get it high enough to get under as the automotive ramps I use will not work because the low bumper pushes them out of the way. Fortunately I have a low profile, long reach floor jack to get it off the ground , but if that isn't enough, I now have replaced all of the factory u-nuts that hold the belly cover in place twice due to corrosion and subsequent breakage, (even with the use of antiseize) and the thing is under 100,000 miles. I have switched to stainless bolts and stainless fender washers to secure it this time in hopes that it will take a little bit of the corrosion issue out of the picture, but unfortunately the u-nuts are only available in steel. At least this will have been the last oil change with the cartridge style filter as I finally decided it was worth my time and money to buy the kit to switch it to the PKSPINCOOLER kit that is available to remove some of the mess and hassle of messing with the cartridge. Cartridge filters only work well when they sit in a fixed bowl. With those, anytime you have to pull it, at least the mess stays in it's place, and a turkey baster, followed by a quick wipe of a rag, will have you ready to re-install in no time. An upside down one is just backwards thinking...
I know my brother in law bought something called a 'panzer plate' for his '99 Jetta TDI. It was 3/8" thick aluminum plate with all the holes and brackets to attatch it to the car from the bumper to the front suspension crossmember. It had appropriate holes for filters, ventilation, and other things cut out, and was formed to fit quite well as a bolt in install. (I helped him a little bit with the installation, and it was pretty slick!) I saw something similar available for the Mazda3's, but I am not sure if it would install on the Mazda5. I really would like to get my hands on something like that. If I were a better fabricator with the right equipment, I would consider building them myself and sell them to others with similar needs, but the $250 would be worth it to me for something similar if someone already had one developed. Any leads would be appreciated. Thanks.
RANT WARNING: Oh, and does anyone know why they put the hole in the factory plastic splash cover/'skid plate' behind the oil filter housing? To me, it would make much more sense to place it directly beneath the filter, and enlarge the hole just an inch overall for easy access without removing the belly cover every time you do an oil change. I have done enough oil changes on our Mazda5 to really hate them now. It is hard enough to get it high enough to get under as the automotive ramps I use will not work because the low bumper pushes them out of the way. Fortunately I have a low profile, long reach floor jack to get it off the ground , but if that isn't enough, I now have replaced all of the factory u-nuts that hold the belly cover in place twice due to corrosion and subsequent breakage, (even with the use of antiseize) and the thing is under 100,000 miles. I have switched to stainless bolts and stainless fender washers to secure it this time in hopes that it will take a little bit of the corrosion issue out of the picture, but unfortunately the u-nuts are only available in steel. At least this will have been the last oil change with the cartridge style filter as I finally decided it was worth my time and money to buy the kit to switch it to the PKSPINCOOLER kit that is available to remove some of the mess and hassle of messing with the cartridge. Cartridge filters only work well when they sit in a fixed bowl. With those, anytime you have to pull it, at least the mess stays in it's place, and a turkey baster, followed by a quick wipe of a rag, will have you ready to re-install in no time. An upside down one is just backwards thinking...
