Yikes, seems pretty definitive then. Allegedly Forscan can do the ABS module bleed procedure, I've not looked/tried.
Sorry, TRE = Track Rod End
Yikes, seems pretty definitive then. Allegedly Forscan can do the ABS module bleed procedure, I've not looked/tried.
Sorry, TRE = Track Rod End
paul_s0 said:Sorry, TRE = Track Rod End
See. Makes perfect sense!!!
Gonna change the struts out today; rear springs won't bee here till tomorrow. Got a couple places to check local, before I order ABS.
looks like I can bolt the new pump to my module, so no hand shake necessary.
Local price tag is REALLY gonna hurt. But like my jokes,"it's just a CC, not like spending money" 
A bit late to the discussion on this, but I owned one of these for a while.
They're quite a bit of fun in stock form. Mazdaspeed parts swap in fairly easily. The 2.5 engine is pretty much a bolt in.
Not late at all. I think this one will be around a while, so long learning curve!
All advice welcome.
Doubt I'll do any performance mods to this one... in fact, I'm raising it back up to stock height, before this trip to S FL.
Long term dependability (starting from 232K miles 
) and Best MPG are my main goals for this one
dealer only! Over a simple seal leaking 
90% sure it's one of those two, that the drip is coming from. But the cheap azz manufacturer crimped them. If it had a cir-clip, it be on its way back together now!
Did find a place that rebuilds them! I think at a good value... but I didn't attempt to convert pounds to dollars - don't have time to ship to UK 
between the half's, and the bottom, that a lot of potential leaks. Surprised it's not a more common problem.
Well, I'm sure it is more common, the shops just throw parts at a brake issue till a problem goes away, without ever really knowing what the problem was, or what part fixed it! It's ok, the more the customer pays, the better!
Good news! Got one coming in tomorrow, at a reasonable price!
Hope this is a good omen, for this car working out well!
Now to get 'er in the air for struts!
2 hours of crawling around in VERY dusty gravel, in our carport, and several changes, and it finally safe and in the air enough to do the struts, rear springs, rear brakes, and an oil change.
THE Financial Manager, said she will not justify $1500-2000 for a portable lift, to save me "only" 2 hours!
Can't hit her with the safety aspect, 'cause she KNOWS I will NOT get under there till it solid, and safe
Went in to clean up, fresh work clothes, update y'all, and check on tracking for the last two orders, and I'll start taking stuff farther apart!
looks like decent quality parts! After I learn the car a bit, they might end up back on, at a higher ride height!
03Panther said:
looks like decent quality parts! After I learn the car a bit, they might end up back on, at a higher ride height!
I might be interested if you wanna sell them. I need some cheap parts for hr challenge.
In reply to wvumtnbkr :
I'll definitely keep it in mind. Gotta learn the car, to see if I want these cheapo stock replacements back off the car.
assuming they were around 3" low of stock, they look like they have enough adjustment to come up to a more reasonable 3/4-1" low.
remains to be seen 
one side back together.
Did find the tie rod end, although tight, has a ripped boot. Same for ball joint. But if I do the ball joint, then I ought to do CA bushings, and...
They'll last till summer, at least!
Have not cleaned them up enough to look for a brand name... any of you Mazda guys happen to recognize 'em?
Using two springs - I assume for a progressive rate - might be less expensive then the dual wound I've used (many years back, and mostly bikes!) fog that.
looks to me like a new top mount, and they're good quality.
with the much smaller OD spring, and the rubber ripped loose on the top, does that require a custom top mount? Or is the upper spring seat a separate piece?
Thanks.
Certainly not getting them at this point, but I believe these adj. top plates will fit the "coilovers" that I'm taking off?
any opinions?
I'm no coilover expert, but they look very similar to Raceland products. Whilst not definitive, also the only ones I can find with a black strut and red springs with a helper spring:
Usually the small flat wound spring is just a helper spring and basically fully compresses with weight on them. They are just used to keep the main spring from rattling around during droop travel.
I am also curious what is going on with that top mount.
In reply to wvumtnbkr :
the center bolt ripped through the metal of the top mount.
Lowerd cars are not suitable for the roads that I live around, and some of the places I work are even worse!
A taller ride height and slightly softer spring, might not have cornered as well , but might have tolerated the roads a bit better.
In reply to paul_s0 :
Just looked better: that is exactly the kit used on mine!
From the specs:
Front - 330 lbs/in
Rear - 240 lbs/in Progressive
And road harsh enough, I expected higher spring rates than that.
Anyone know what stock spring rates are?
A bit tricky to tell in the photos, but it looks like all the load goes through the centre, whereas the load should go into the gert big bearing (upper right in the photo below)
In reply to paul_s0 :
The plastic bearing part had fallen under the car, and didn't make it in the photo! When the mount fell apart, I thought it was just a piece of torn rubber, but just pulled it out.
Raceland does sell a top mount (extra) , but I doubt it is an upgrade of the stock one. The adjustable one I linked, doesn't fit this style.
This summer, I may try to find a progressive rate, or softer, spring, and buy a top mount. Wind the height adjustment rings up, and get a reasonable 1" drop, that jar your eye teeth out!
Ahh ok, that explains it.
Yep, stock rate, hang on a sec.. Depending who you believe, around 145lb front and 139 rear.
I found the best balance with MS3 fronts (188 lb / slight lift as it's lighter) and 197lb / slight lift rears, but the rears were a random Chevelle or something spring which seem to have been discontinued.
On the next 3 I ended up with Mazda 5 fronts (147lb/slight lift) and alternated between stock rears and a 27mm rear bar, or cut Mazda 5 rears (233lbs!) with the big bar, depending on usage case.
More than double the spring rate? And the ricer street crowd does this intentionally!
Explains the horrible ride!
Also explains why, when driven on less than ideal roads, the top mount ripped!
If I am happy with the car this trip, and keep it, I should be able to source a 200 lb. spring for the raceland unit.
the rear, may work out for my needs (I carry a lot of weight) once adjusted up to a reasonable ride height.
Just picked up the cheap priced ABS unit. It's a used piece, that apparently was not a ford / Mazda factory part. Does cross reverence to the 06 3, but I gotta disassemble it - make sure the pump part will fit my module
And... as expected, not correct part! If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!!! 
On the way to the local steelership, to pay the ridiculous full price 
That puts the brake, stock replacement parts, to over what I paid for the car 
Dang! I have that happen more than once trying to save a few. I imagine you checked out the junk yards? It's not a super common car so it probably wouldn't work. Sometimes you gotta bite the bullet.
300lb springs don't feel very bad on the street if you have travel. I run 250lb springs on the front of a much lighter car and it's plush because of the damping. And I have travel. I suspect what you were feeling was the suspension bottoming out, which is what breaks mounts.
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