Will 2011 MS3 Rear sway fit/work on a 2008 Mazda5???

[dmerizzi]

Looking to use the significantly stiffer bar but don't know if the chassis setup is the same.....

 

[njaremka]

stiffer than the JBR bar called out in your signature? if you want stiffer, look for a set of Hotchkis bars.

 

[Silentnoise713]

Sig says "Divorce loss!" so I assume he wants to up the OE bar on the AT?

Yes, it fits. You will need to remove the 2nd Gen MS3 collars (simply unclip) b/c they are positioned differently. You will also need MS3 (OE or aftermarket –Moogs are beefier) end links. While at it, I also highly recommend new Prothane bushings with brackets b/c Energy does not offer the size in their universal catalog or application specific -last I checked.


I am using the 1st gen MS3 RSB with Moog links and Prothane bushings and it is a very noticeable improvement in rear rotation. IIRC, the MS3 RSB is rated at about between softest and middle setting off the JBR. Personally, I wouldn’t’ want the rear to be any stiffer. I’d rather go with downsizing to the smaller Mz3 FSB instead (excuse to replace all the junky end links and bushings).

 

[phunky.buddha]

I've got the 2nd gen MS3 rear bar on my 2009 5, and I love it. Installation is as he says- cut collars and you're good.

 

[SonicBoy]

Any pics of the cut collars?

for the 2nd gen MS3 RSB, did you also use the MS3 end links?

 

[phunky.buddha]

Yes but not online yet, and yes MS3 end links.

 

[Silentnoise713]

Any pics of the cut collars?

for the 2nd gen MS3 RSB, did you also use the MS3 end links?

No need to cut. Use a flat head and you can uncrimp and remove it.

Unless the MS3 end links were free, I would advise just skipping it and use a better aftermarket replacement. The 1st gen MS3 links are thin like stock Mz5 but I'm not sure if the 2nd gen were revised. The suspension is as good as the weakest link allows.

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...Mazda5-today&p=6184670&viewfull=1#post6184670

 

[SonicBoy]

Thanks for that link Silentnoise713.

So... it's OK to run the MS3 Gen2 RSB without the collars?

From your link/pics it looks like you just moved it?

 

[Silentnoise713]

Yes, I did move mine and retained them for no reason b/c they are not on tight to serve any purpose. Once you unclip the retainer, it can be difficult to get a good grip to tighten but I honestly don't feel they are necessary. I kept them on just b/c... it was a heat of the moment decision?...

IMO, the collars are not "necessary". If you are using MS3 bushings (I don't recommend b/c I don't like OE quality, revised bushings or not, and there are no aftermarket stock MS3 bushings when I last checked) I would recommend keeping the collars.

 

[SonicBoy]

OK, just to recap and clarify.... First Gen MS3 RSB and Bushings don't need the collars moved?

2nd Gen MS3 RSB and Bushing do need the collars removed in order to use on the Mazda 5?

b/c I don't like OE quality, revised bushings or not, and there are no aftermarket stock MS3 bushings when I last checked) I would recommend keeping the collars.

 

[phunky.buddha]

No need to cut. Use a flat head and you can uncrimp and remove it.

Unless the MS3 end links were free, I would advise just skipping it and use a better aftermarket replacement. The 1st gen MS3 links are thin like stock Mz5 but I'm not sure if the 2nd gen were revised. The suspension is as good as the weakest link allows.

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...Mazda5-today&p=6184670&viewfull=1#post6184670

The 2nd gen end links I had on my bar were MUCH beefier than the stock MZ5 links.

 

[Silentnoise713]

OK, just to recap and clarify.... First Gen MS3 RSB and Bushings don't need the collars moved?

2nd Gen MS3 RSB and Bushing do need the collars removed in order to use on the Mazda 5?

Sounds about right if you are sticking with OE bushing brackets. If you are going with aftermarket, Prothane being the only option last I checked, you will need to remove the collars b/c the Prothane brackets are almost twice as wide as stock. From what I can tell, both the FSB and RSB OE brackets for Mz5 and MS3 are all the same; the difference is the bushing itself and the diameter of opening to fit the appropriate bar. To further clarify, you will need MS3 end links (cannot use Mz5).

The 2nd gen end links I had on my bar were MUCH beefier than the stock MZ5 links.

That's good to know! I have never looked into the 2nd gen bar and it is possible and highly probably that Mazda upgraded/changed the end links and/or even bushing collars.

-For 1st gen MS3 owners, they all say the Moogs replacements are beefier than OE both front and rear. There are other aftermarket adjustable ones that are more costly.
-I purchased both the FSB and RSB from a 1st gen MS3 owner (I think ’07 or ’08) who upgraded both his stock bars to Hotchkins. 1st gen MS3 use weak end links front and rear along with crimp collars.

 

[phunky.buddha]

That's good to know! I have never looked into the 2nd gen bar and it is possible and highly probably that Mazda upgraded/changed the end links and/or even bushing collars.

Yeah my MZ5 links definitely would NOT have worked with the new bar since the holes were different sizes- but to be fair- I don't know if the original owner of the bar had upgraded his links or not either. Doubtful, but I can't say for sure that the links on the bar were from the factory. The previous car had bottomed out somewhere before and scraped the heads of the nuts on the links pretty badly anyway, so if I had wanted to remove the end links, I would have had to cut them off. It was easier to just install them as is.

 

[Premacy5]

Mazdaspeed endlink came with 12mm stud on the bar end. The end that goes to subframe stays 10 mm.