Learn me 06 Mazda 3 hatch.

In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :

If it did not bottom out, I'm sure it was close. I truly have not driven it (since the main brakes are the hand lever, atm ) enough to tell if it's just that harsh, bottoming out on suspension parts, or coil binding. 
spent too long chasing parts, to get much done, but she'll be stock on all 4 corners, tomorrow. 
Also, 16" rims will fit fine, so I'll get some tires, instead of having to run rubber bands!

In reply to CyberEric :

Unfortunately, this is not even from trying to save a few $$$ 

the nearest Mazda dealer, is in PCB, several hours drive south of me. The Mazda 3, being essentially a ford product, has a ford logo, and ford part number on the leaking abs pump and module. (I only need the pump and aluminum hyd. block - cannot be bought that way)

The two closest ford dealers (both were also Mazda dealers till about a year ago) 

WILL not even attempt to get me a part, because "I can't look up Mazda parts". 
But it's a ford part. Here is the number...

"Nope, that ford part number cross references as  fitting a 04 to 08 Mazda 3. I cans order that"

Ok, look it up for a ford focus...

"yep, same part number. But it's obsolete, NLA from ford"

 WTF?

In reply to CyberEric :

As to JY, the yards in my area, want 3 - 5 times for a part, than the prices I see mentioned my 90% of the folks on GRM. Several of them are yards that reopened after the various owners. Got out of prison after serving the 15  year sentences for the stolen car ring they were all a part of, in the '70s. They all live in houses, I've never men able to afford, families all have fancy cars, and they wine about have they can't survive, 'cause the JY business is so competitive.

There is a LKQ distributor that my used part came from, about 2 hrs away. But, what the sent is from a Mazda Speed 6, not the right part, and the pump block looked to be in worse shape than mine 

The do guarantee the module works good... uh, my module works fine. 
Found a few places that rebuild the. Called. They only rebuild the electronics module, and test it. So you have to ship 3 times the weight, instead of just the module, and not what I need anyway. 
New, from Mazda Parts Online is $1161.95. 
and drive to closest supported dealer, in Pensacola 4.5 hrs away. 

Order it from Taska ford, for $791, and pay for shipping (and 3-10 days)

Or, drive to PCB for $968. 

Dothan/Enterprise, is a horrible place to be a car guy!!!

meant to take a picture of these next to the unloaded stock springs, but they are installed now. 
that is the box they were in, for length reference. Looks like (allowing for a bit of sag from the softer stock spring) the max adjusted height, will be about one inch lower than stock, just like advertised!

This is the inboard rear lower control arm bolt. 
Obviously, it is an offset bolt, for a bit of camber adjustment. 
I assume it is an aftermarket "kit" added along with the adjustable seat lowering springs?

I think I've read it would not have been a stock bolt? 

That bolt is stock, and for rear toe adjustment (although it also has a small impact on camber too). 

In reply to paul_s0 :

Ah! Looked stock, but, did not recognize it as toe! Also looks like it has never been disturbed, since new!

Driving an hour to buy another used one from LKQ. Talked to the parts guy to verify vin and part interchange, but paid $43 in advance to skip past 3 middle man mark ups!

$149.95, at same place, for same part, through the online LKQ site!!'

has only taken me three days to get here!

Annnnd, after the hour drive, they had pulled the part from the correct car this time, but somehow, there were told I wanted a master cyl 

They don't have an abs module. Can get one in from crystal river, for more money, but still a heck of a good price. But not till Wednesday 

Bonifay has more JY, than an hr north where I am. Stopped at one. At first she said they didn't have one, was looking at ordering one, and her dad (the owner) reminded her af the 05 that just came in. 
$150 bucks, they'll pull it in am, and call me. I'll drive back down, and...

To be continued. 

meanwhile, back at the ranch...

tonight I'll finish installing the LF strut assembly, clean the poorly done red paint off the calipers, paint chassis black over the red overspray () And paint the calipers (OFF the car ) Gloss black. 
new roots and pads on the back, and pads on the front. 
Found some 07 Mazda 3 sedan wheels that fit, get some 205/60R16 mounted.

An oil change. Drive it for one day, and head for S FL. 
Shoulda put $2000 into the Merc!!!

All 4 comers now on stock suspension. Front brakes painted and assembled. 
Rear, I gotta get the tool to turn back the pistons (e brake-dumb set up)

not a great job, but better than the poorly done ricer fake red!

I do dislike nasty red painted brakes (very popular here)!  Looks much better in black

Regards the rear pistons, I've normally just used thin nosed pliers stuck in the holes, apply pressure and twist (e-brake off). If it's being difficult, a g clamp to apply pressure whilst turning (careful where you locate it).  I've never had the special tool....

I thought about trying the pliers, last night, but could only find several pairs of cheapos! And being wiped out, I know how that was gonna go 

I gotta go to town today, on way to JY, so the auto zone rental will do the trick!

The rear calipers need significant pressure applied while also being turned clockwise.  I have done it with one of the little magic cubes on a 3/8" impact with a 6" extension and pushing hard, but the caliper retractinng tool makes it sooooo easy.  Remember to put the little wire springs back on the calipers when you are done.  

I thought the little magic cubes just pushed apart, for the old school type pistons, and did not work for the type that turn? 

Drove down the hour to the JY, since they had estimated about noon. 
The had not had time to pull it yet, as they "are pulling parts for other customers, in que ahead of me"

"might be Monday afternoon, or Tuesday "

Uh, no. 
this is the worst problem I've ever had, getting a part in my 48 years of owning my own cars!!!

It's always been a bit difficult, to find good customer service, and people that will actually do what they say they will. 
It has gotten considerably worse, these last 4 1/4 years 

Half hleft to get home, grab some tools; 2 hr drive to Montgomery. They have an 08 sedan 90% chance it's the right abs. 80% chance it's on the car, but they are too understaffed to answer the phone (I can leave a message - they'll get back to me within 24-48 hours. If they feel like it)

75% chance it doesn't leak, also. 
But, not like I have better options. 

Made it there five minutes before they stop letting people in the door. Took 15 minutes to find the car because, can't be too negative about him since they're probably getting minimum wage. Five minutes to grab the unit, 10 minutes to grab a couple of minor things, last person out the door!

Got stuck in Montgomery got stuck in Montgomery ; rush-hour traffic, on a Saturday?

Tomorrow, I'll get it on and find out whether it's any good

Fingers crossed for you!

Beat me to it, more fingers crossed here too!

Appreciate the encouragement! I feel pretty good about it... despite not having good indications!

Friend is a wrench at the corner garage a mile away, has a sedan with the factory 16" wheels. We worked out a deal so he is getting my 17's, and I'll have a tire with a bit more sidewall. He's gotta swap the tpms sensors. 
If the abs works out, i may throw tires on the 16's tomorrow... or it may wait till i get a couple pay checks!