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SABIO
08-02-2005, 10:04 PM
Ok.. by now you are getting sick of seeing my name.. hahaha

I have read alot that movement and noise could be problems with installing an aftermarket sway bar.
So I thought about it and did a few things differently during the install.

First I Used a White Lithium grease Stick
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y226/sabio7/IMG_0614.jpg
I rubbed(applied) the grease inside the bushings, I found that the stick grease is really stickyand adheres well in all areas
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y226/sabio7/IMG_0616.jpg
I also noticed that there was some lubrication on the stock sway bar ends, so I applied grease to both sides of the sway bar where it attaches to the link
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y226/sabio7/IMG_0617.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y226/sabio7/IMG_0624.jpg
I also applied grease to where the bushing contacts the frame mount, I heard of creaking and groaning noises, theres no way i would know if there would be any movement in the bushing under load, but... the grease is there. Dosen\'t hurt.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y226/sabio7/IMG_0622.jpg

So after all that... A nice spirited drive around town, a few bumpy roads... a trip to oakville and no shifting and no noise. Perfect. :)

You can feel that the back end is tighter just driving down the road. There is a litle more feedback from the road. i.e little bumps and jiggles while you are driving. At slower speed cornering kinda feels the same.

But, :) When ya go fast (ie. running for the amber) and make a left (or right) Hold on!! Wow.. The car seriously cuts and holds the line sharp :) :) :) What a difference.
So for a daily driving no big deal... get a little spirited it starts to shine. Can\'t wait for my next Track visit.
MAZDA Kitten
08-03-2005, 02:17 PM
Nice write up.
I love it... takes turns so nicely it stickssssssssssssss
Whos ur dadd
08-03-2005, 05:48 PM
Is it like \"WOW\" or more like \"okay, that\'s better\". Is the difference really noticeable?

The reason why I ask is that I actually have yet to push the car to its understeer limits. I must say it handles quite well. I\'m just wondering how much better it can get!
majic
08-03-2005, 11:18 PM
Originally posted by Whos ur dadd


Is it like \"WOW\" or more like \"okay, that\'s better\". Is the difference really noticeable?

The reason why I ask is that I actually have yet to push the car to its understeer limits. I must say it handles quite well. I\'m just wondering how much better it can get!

yeah.. it\'s like ****ING WOW.. :)

ask MK.. she was in the car with me - she almost peed on her skirt :) lol.. thx for letting me drive it.. was the BOMB! mine sux.. :(
MAZDA Kitten
08-03-2005, 11:25 PM
LOL
You\'re welcome :D There was that one turn that I kinda almost peed my skirt but... LOL
SABIO
08-04-2005, 01:08 AM
Originally posted by MAZDA Kitten


LOL
You\'re welcome :D There was that one turn that I kinda almost peed my skirt but... LOL





I guess that answers you question ;)
lukel90
08-04-2005, 11:07 PM
So i guess you have the bar on there, eh MK. I told ya you would like it. Enjoy the bar MK.
bubba1983
08-05-2005, 01:20 AM
bla bla bla
SABIO
08-11-2005, 06:51 PM
Just noticed my sway bar shifted about 1/2\" to the right (passenger side) Hmmmm...

How would I set it back .. or should I... maybe give it a tap with a hammer???

Any thoughts?
Ex-Rolla
08-11-2005, 07:56 PM
woops... double post
Ex-Rolla
08-11-2005, 07:57 PM
Originally posted by SABIO


Just noticed my sway bar shifted about 1/2\" to the right (passenger side) Hmmmm...

How would I set it back .. or should I... maybe give it a tap with a hammer???

Any thoughts?

Hey Sabio

Check out This (http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=15999.0) link. I did it a little differently. I\'ll try an take a pic for you later on. Working till midnight, so I\'ll try and get it up later tonight.
The Dude
12-10-2005, 12:12 AM
So I tried installing the Progress sway bar and it is pretty straightforward...but I did run into some problems.

I was able to remove all the bolts, however the nuts on the endlinks seem to be stuck on pretty good. One of the nuts actually started ROUNDING, so I didn\'t want to try too hard on the other one. I decided to abort mission and tighten everything back up until I find a solution.

Does anyone have any advice on how to remove and replace those nuts now? Thanks in advance!
SABIO
12-10-2005, 02:18 AM
rounding? Did you use the proper size wrench? I used a closed end wrench.
My problem wasn\'t the nuts rounding , it was stripping the studs where the allen wrench goes!!

Just go to CTC and buy 2 new ones, so when you get them off just replace them. They are just standard lock nuts... they are slightly oval at the top so it locks in when you tighten it on and won\'t back off.
The Dude
12-10-2005, 07:19 PM
What\'s CTC? I checked out Canadian Tire and Home Depot, and neither had the proper metric sized fine threaded nuts. Gonna keep looking. I was using an open ended wrench, but I should have been more careful of the torque. I picked up a good quality closed end wrench now.
bubba1983
12-11-2005, 08:28 AM
CTC = canadian tire corporation
billyfo
12-11-2005, 12:40 PM
you can check out CT at Hwy 7 & Bayview if you nearby, I found that most CTs don\'t carry metric sockets, but this one has plenty cause it just newly opened:p .
bluntman
12-11-2005, 05:32 PM
Where is a good place to get this thing installed?
SABIO
12-12-2005, 03:11 AM
Your garage.........
bluntman
12-12-2005, 11:07 AM
Na, I don\'t have the tools or the equipment.
The Dude
12-22-2005, 02:34 AM
Ok, I finally got around to finishing the sway bar install yesterday, and I like how the car feels. There is noticably less body roll in the corners and the steering feels more responsive. Looking forward to driving more to get used to the change. If anyone has trouble getting the bar out of the endlinks, I suggest loosening one of the endlinks a little bit from above for more clearance.