What have you done to your 3rd Gen today?
#1517
Tech/How-To/Northeast Mod
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Rochester, New York
Posts: 2,517
The main reason I want the hardrace is the price: $45USD shipped for all 4. It's half the price of OEM (less really). But yeah, they're working on the application for the MSP/MP3 and 99-00 sedan (since it's the same endlink that has to be made).
Edit: there is a trick I've found for keeping the stock endlinks from going to crap. As soon as you install them, hit up the ends (the nut/bolt/etc) with flat black paint, a light coat, then another, then another. Then when it's all dried and cured, like a few days later, check on it again, maybe add another coat, then hit it with rubberized undercoating spray.
I did this with my rear endlinks and the 2 times I've removed them since installing the bar, and they've been A-OK. I already have 5 cans of 3M rubberized undercoating to prep my car for winter (plus getting an undercoating done professionally) so I'm gonna make sure they're still good. You just kinda have to scrape off all the globs of rubber on the bolts to unbolt them when needed.
Edit2: The hardrace isn't going to be any better in terms of rusting.. but it does eliminate the plastic cup.. I'm assuming teflon or some other insert between the metal cup and ball, but maybe it's just pillowball like their adjustable 6-piece rear link set is available.
Last edited by _Kansei_; September-19th-2007 at 06:42 PM.
#1523
Haha, no internet last night, but gave me a good excuse to take lots of pics. Best ones are going up right after I post this in the Video Forum!
Edit: https://www.mazda3club.com/photo-video-gallery-29/8-hot-pics-fall-fotoshoot-46877/
Edit: https://www.mazda3club.com/photo-video-gallery-29/8-hot-pics-fall-fotoshoot-46877/
Last edited by J-Protege; September-20th-2007 at 07:06 PM.
#1524
bought the weather stripping to fix the spoiler rattle...if thats even the noise i am hearing. i checked the black piece that rattles and it's not moving at all.... i closed my hatch and i realize my license plate cover rattled...so i wonder if it's that instead of the spoiler.
anyone fixed theirs know if the black piece that rattles was movable by hand before you fixed it? mine isnt moving if i push/wiggle so I'm not sure if it's that or my plate cover.
anyone fixed theirs know if the black piece that rattles was movable by hand before you fixed it? mine isnt moving if i push/wiggle so I'm not sure if it's that or my plate cover.
#1525
Tech/How-To/Northeast Mod
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Rochester, New York
Posts: 2,517
I don't ever remember it feeling like it moved before I fixed the rattle. Just do it, it's an easy fix.
The license plate is a big rattle source though, that's for sure.
The license plate is a big rattle source though, that's for sure.
#1530
Tech/How-To/Northeast Mod
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Rochester, New York
Posts: 2,517
A competent machine shop should be able to handle it (with tires unmounted) if it's just 1-2mm. Anything more than that will depend on the design of the wheel. But yeah, they gotta be really good otherwise you'll never be able to get anything balanced.