hey everyone:
im planning on installing a few aftermarket suspension components on my 2004 Mazda 3s this weekend (havent decided yet on friday or saturday). Of course, im planning on doing the install myself to save some dough and also just to practice DIY. The parts that i will be installing are: Tein Basic CoilOver Suspension, MAZDASPEED Strut Bar, Eibach Front and Rear Swaybars, and MAZDASPEED Rear Camber Links. Also, ill be mounting a set of Falken Azenis 215/45/17's on 17x7 gunmetal Falken Torque 5 wheels.

i was just wondering if anyone had any helpful advice for the installation and/or any pertinent information that i might need. thanks for your help everyone!

 

did we miss your location?

 

Ok about these wheels do you know that they will fit and go on alright? They sound like they well. I would just say make sure you do the right bolt up patter for the wheels. And make sure you get them torqued right. I think for most mazdas its 80 flbs. As far as I know I think its all mazdas but I am not sure.... I thinks its 80 though lol.

Make sure to clean off the hub and bolts while your down there.

But sounds nice though.

 

i guess you did...im residing in good ol' Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

 

dracula, there should be absolutely no problems with the wheels...the lug pattern is 5x114.3. the dimensions are exactly the same as the stock wheels (17x7) except its got a 40mm offset. and about the proper torque for the wheels, you mentioned you thought it is 80 lb/ft...im picking up a parts/maint. book tomorrow, itll most likely be listed in there.

thanks for your help!

 

ah.... Lancaster, PA.... good ol' amish country! been there a few times!

 

haha, such an exciting place, isnt it?...its one of the only places you can win every race (against horse & buggies)...


but anywho, i went to mazda parts dep. today to get a mazda 3 parts/maint. book but none exist for the car...so i was wondering, does anyone know how many lb/ft of torque things need to be tightened to?

 

Get your hands on a shop manual for your car,..and to install those coil overs,..your going to wish you had a lift to put your car up on. Good luck.

 

driving down the road to run over horse droppings... not fun at all for me haha!

the only thing i really remember there was some candle making shop there and some woodworking place...

 

Update: On Saturday, two of my friends and I set up shop in my buddy's garage in Buffalo, NY and successfully installed the coil overs and the strut bar with little to no set backs. the only problem we ran into was with the control arms in the front of the car...once we got them loose they wouldnt loosen anymore to come out, and also they wouldnt tighten back up. also, the torque wrench we used was a little different than what ive come across before, so when i was torquing one of the bolts for the upper mounts in the front to 80 lb/ft, i tightened way too much and ripped the top of the bolt off. tomorrow i will bring my car to mazda for an alignment and to fix my stupid mistake (bolt). but, the cars stance appears very aggressive now, the wheels fit and look AWESOME in the wheel wells...the springs are nice and stiff and on the drive home she was just asking me to throw her into the corners.

We decided not to install the eibach sway bars and the mazdaspeed camber links due to our inexperience and the complexity of the installation. When i bring the car to mazda tomorrow ill have them finish where i left off.


but all in all, it was a great learning experience and very fun to install. and i was able to save a lot of money thanks to DIY!