Rigid Collar

[Zotaga]

I've heard of some cars needing rigid collars to improve handling. Does anyone have these installed on their Mazda3 and if so, did you notice any improvements? Just curious if it's worth looking into. I know people who use these collars in their cars and they swear by them..

[Nikhil Pali]

For Mazda 3, no. For Mazdaspeed 3, maybe. Rigid collar are useful if you got a highly modified car and putting out double the stock power and fear that stock subframe may move/flex if you really push your car. Even guys running V8 machines also got oversized bolt hole issue. You just have to tighten things to correct torque.

For a stock or decently modified mz3, if your subframe is torqued to correct specs, subframe won't move. Even if you push your car to max in autocross event.

Rigid collar are like strut bars for mazda 3. No significant gain in handling. And 600 for both front and rear kit is really expensive. Instead getting aftermarket chassis brace and swaybar would improve you handling more.

[Zotaga]

$600? Naw.. I know someone who manufactures the rigid collars and can get them for $100. All he would have to do is take the measurements.

In a sense, I am trying to see if there is any use for the rigid collars in our 3's and if so, what the demand is because I can get them manufactured for people if required.

[Aitch]

I think if there were demand, it would have come up by now. Unless there is a different name for these, this is the first discussion on the topic I can remember in my 6 years here.

[Zotaga]

Well it's either that or our 3's are build extremely precise lol.

I just heard about rigid collars a few days ago and the concept of it sounds legit.

I know with my 3, when I go over uneven roads, I feel everything. If I can somehow fix that; that would be awesome.

[silverstarmazda]

i would say it would be beneficial if we were pushing our cars to the absolute limit. even then there are better ways of improving chassis stiffness

[THEStorm]

Well it's either that or our 3's are build extremely precise lol.

I just heard about rigid collars a few days ago and the concept of it sounds legit.

I know with my 3, when I go over uneven roads, I feel everything. If I can somehow fix that; that would be awesome.

Here is some good info about them:

http://www.rigidcollar.com/what-is-rigid-collar

Mind you its a European site so currency is in euros and they are using the European car names but it looks like they might have what you are looking for.

[Aitch]

I'm gonna call bunk on this for most daily drivers. I'm not saying they won't improve things, but I'd venture that the only difference you'd notice would be in your head. If your subframe bolts are properly tightened, the frame is not going to be shifting around even under hard street driving. Save your money for more effective mods, better suspension, tires, lighter wheels etc.

[THEStorm]

Yeah, unless you have a lot of play or seriously track you car I personally wouldn't bother with them.

[Zotaga]

I found a TSB for this..

http://www.autoserviceprofessional.com/article/91569/silencing-a-squeaky-mazda

I have a squeaky Mazda.. it's been squeaky ever since I bought the car..

I am having some Rigid Collars made for my car in the next week or so. I'll update as to any improvements I notice, if any.