MS3 rear swaybar

eyeballs

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2012 Mazda 2 Touring SG 5MT
I thought I remembered hearing about a ms3 rear swaybar fitted to a 5. Can anyone tell me what year model range MS3 will work for a donor RSB for my wife's 2012 5? From what I just read on the JBR site it ought to be nearly twice as stiff as the oem 5 bar.

I think if I can get one cheap enough she'll let me install it.

Thanks.
 
The 2007-2009 MS3 rear sway bar (or any year front) will fit, but you'll need the MS3 endlinks (and bushings) to go with it. The aftermarket sway bars are more expensive but either fit the stock Mazda3/5 endlinks or fit with adapters. I learned the hard way that the 2010+ MS3 rear sway bar's mounting points were moved outward compared to the previous setup when I bought one and tried to install it. (hand)
 
The 2007-2009 MS3 rear sway bar (or any year front) will fit, but you'll need the MS3 endlinks (and bushings) to go with it. The aftermarket sway bars are more expensive but either fit the stock Mazda3/5 endlinks or fit with adapters. I learned the hard way that the 2010+ MS3 rear sway bar's mounting points were moved outward compared to the previous setup when I bought one and tried to install it. (hand)
From what I read by Mz3 guys, the 2nd gen MS3 RSB can fit with a little DIY effort. The physical dimensions of bars are the same. The difference is that 2nd gen bars have bushing collars spaced our farther (this is probably what you are referring to as mounting points moved outward). You can cut off these collars or perhaps leave them and use locking shaft collars (they are not cheap tho) in it’s place. The other difference is that the 2nd gen bushing brackets have a large hole for a larger bolt. You can resolve this by going with Prothane 26mm bushing kit that comes with bushing and bracket (more substantial size and greaseable). I don’t have time to work on my car anymore.
 
I used locking shaft collars on the Racing Beat bar.
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I have a JBR rsb and I'm pretty happy with it; it came with prothane bushings, greaseable clamps, and lock rings. It was simple to install; about an hour and a half (I could do it in thirty minutes now though).
 
I'm planning on getting a bar, bushings, and brackets from an '08 MS3, and will likely order the higher quality moog endlinks to go with it. I'm hoping the bushings will be in good shape so I don't have to order those too.
 
I put my Mazdaspeed3 bar loosely in the vice and bounced it down just a bit to move the collar slightly inward. Fits like a charm and works very well. Now I need to upgrade the end links for better fitment.
 
I got the moog problem solver endlinks which are pretty beefy and include zerk fittings, but a slim wrench is needed to not push out the grease when working with them. Mine has been clunking softly and I've yet to figure out why. I re-tightened everything tonight but may try swapping in rubber bushings to see if that helps. I used entirely too much lube on the poly bushings so I know that is not the issue. Passenger side endlink is angled somewhat (but nowhere near hitting anything) but I can't imagine that is causing the issue. I guess for perfect fittment the collars do need some adjusting with the 1st gen ms3 bar.
 
From what I read by Mz3 guys, the 2nd gen MS3 RSB can fit with a little DIY effort. The physical dimensions of bars are the same. The difference is that 2nd gen bars have bushing collars spaced our farther (this is probably what you are referring to as mounting points moved outward). You can cut off these collars or perhaps leave them and use locking shaft collars (they are not cheap tho) in it’s place. The other difference is that the 2nd gen bushing brackets have a large hole for a larger bolt. You can resolve this by going with Prothane 26mm bushing kit that comes with bushing and bracket (more substantial size and greaseable). I don’t have time to work on my car anymore.
I put the 2nd gen MS3 bar on mine in March last year- same time I did the BC coilover install. I removed the collars altogether- no problems at all since then.
 
I put the 2nd gen MS3 bar on mine in March last year- same time I did the BC coilover install. I removed the collars altogether- no problems at all since then.
Yup. I just put on a 1st gen MS3 RSB and find that the collar is nothing more than a type of crimp collar. I moved it over but didn’t super tighten it so it serves no purpose. The Prothane bushings/brackets are much wider and are all you need.

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Yup. I just put on a 1st gen MS3 RSB and find that the collar is nothing more than a type of crimp collar. I moved it over but didn’t super tighten it so it serves no purpose. The Prothane bushings/brackets are much wider and are all you need.

5l0o.jpg

Mine went on with the MS3 bushings and brackets- no problems bolting them up after the collars were removed. I think I still wrapped the bar in Teflon tape to keep it squeak free- that helps to let it slide freely and stay centered too.
 
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