MK1 Mazda 3 MPS - Family Connection
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Thanks for sharing. 
Such a shame about your Dad though - I hope you take him out in it!
Back in 1972 my Dad bought the newest car he had ever had, just 2 years old and then 3 years later he had a stroke and was never able to drive again. But once I passed my test in 1976 I was able to take him for a drive in it - OK it wasn't quite the same as him driving it, but I like to think he enjoyed it.
Such a shame about your Dad though - I hope you take him out in it!
Back in 1972 my Dad bought the newest car he had ever had, just 2 years old and then 3 years later he had a stroke and was never able to drive again. But once I passed my test in 1976 I was able to take him for a drive in it - OK it wasn't quite the same as him driving it, but I like to think he enjoyed it.
Mr Tidy said:
Thanks for sharing.
Such a shame about your Dad though - I hope you take him out in it!
Unfortunately he is still in the hospital. We are hoping to be getting him out and either home or into a care home soon. If he is able then I will definitely be taking him out in the car. Hopefully he will see the improvements to the car.Such a shame about your Dad though - I hope you take him out in it!
Today was a day of mixed success. Went and got a bigger breaker bar which got the dastardly 2 x wheel nuts off really nicely so I could then explore why I was getting some binding of the drivers side rear, which also has the handbrake on it.
I encountered 2 issues.
1. One of the caliper bolts would not budge for love nor money. I don't have a blow torch or an impact driver to help. Considering the rear discs/pads were done last August and barely 3/4000 miles ago.....was the mechanic he manning these back in!
2. More concerning to me is the state of the brake union attached to the chassis. Seems to be a bit rusty and a bit leaky!
So I think I will pop it into my garage to take care of as this is a little out of my skill/tool ceiling at the moment. Braided HEL lines have also been ordered all round. If one side is going rusty and horrible, I am sure the others wont be too far behind. Might also ask them to crack the caliper nuts all round to make sure they haven't been done too tight and seized.
On the plus side I used my torque wrench for the first time when I put the wheel back on!
A small update.
RX8 Alloys arrived....professional photo taken by the wife.They seem to be straight and in an unbuckled condition.
Ready to be dropped off for refurb at some point after my wallet has recovered from getting the brakes sorted.
The HEL lines went on fine but it turns out that offside passenger brake union was in a very sorry state. Complete new hard pipe had to be run front to back which was an expense I hadn't accounted for. There goes the refurb money until another month!
But I am glad it has been sorted because the thought of that union failing while at high speed doesn't bare thinking about.
More things in the pipeline for the coming months. May get some cheaper bits done, like restoring the headlights!
RX8 Alloys arrived....professional photo taken by the wife.They seem to be straight and in an unbuckled condition.
Ready to be dropped off for refurb at some point after my wallet has recovered from getting the brakes sorted.
The HEL lines went on fine but it turns out that offside passenger brake union was in a very sorry state. Complete new hard pipe had to be run front to back which was an expense I hadn't accounted for. There goes the refurb money until another month!
But I am glad it has been sorted because the thought of that union failing while at high speed doesn't bare thinking about.
More things in the pipeline for the coming months. May get some cheaper bits done, like restoring the headlights!
Things have been busy recently, complications surrounding my fathers passing have really hampered the grieving process. But I have managed to spend a little time on the Mazda.
I wanted to give her a bit of a fresher look. Most of the work has been beneath the skin and I wanted to give her a bit more presence.
Here is a little photo of the freshly refurbed RX8 wheels. With new TPI wheel bolts and refurbed centre caps.
The colour is a bronze powder coat which really seems to sparkle in the sun. Sets off the wheels nicely, but hard to get a good photo of. I'll get some whole car shots when I get a chance to clean her!
So the next stage for the car:
1. Complete refurb of the front and rear suspension. Pricing this up at the moment and going for an OEM+ direction. No slammed ride or super hard track set coilovers here.
2. 4 x Tyres. After having a look at the tyres when they were being swapped over from the old alloys 2 were getting a bit long in the tooth and wearing slightly unevenly due to suspected suspension wear but the other 2 were perfectly fine. But I feel like after getting the suspension work done putting some fresh rubber on would do her a treat. Probably going to go Mich PS4's.
3. Refurb the headlights. They really seem to stick out now the wheels have been done. It will start to annoy me soon.
More bits to come!
I wanted to give her a bit of a fresher look. Most of the work has been beneath the skin and I wanted to give her a bit more presence.
Here is a little photo of the freshly refurbed RX8 wheels. With new TPI wheel bolts and refurbed centre caps.
The colour is a bronze powder coat which really seems to sparkle in the sun. Sets off the wheels nicely, but hard to get a good photo of. I'll get some whole car shots when I get a chance to clean her!
So the next stage for the car:
1. Complete refurb of the front and rear suspension. Pricing this up at the moment and going for an OEM+ direction. No slammed ride or super hard track set coilovers here.
2. 4 x Tyres. After having a look at the tyres when they were being swapped over from the old alloys 2 were getting a bit long in the tooth and wearing slightly unevenly due to suspected suspension wear but the other 2 were perfectly fine. But I feel like after getting the suspension work done putting some fresh rubber on would do her a treat. Probably going to go Mich PS4's.
3. Refurb the headlights. They really seem to stick out now the wheels have been done. It will start to annoy me soon.
More bits to come!
Appreciate the comments guys!
I may have accidentally fallen over onto my keyboard and ordered suspension goodies....
The list I ordered is as follows:
2 x Front Koni Special Active Dampers
2 x Rear Koni Special Active Dampers
1 set Eibach Prolines (Same specs as the OEM Aero springs 25mm drop front 15mm rear. Just black not blue)
2 x Hardrace Front Droplinks
2 x Hardrace Rear Droplinks
1 set Powerflex RARB bushes
1 set Hardrace Front Top Mounts
All ordered from VIP Motorsport and arrived within 2 days of ordering bar the Hardrace top mounts which should be coming within 5 days. The idea is to get them fitted while I am away on holiday for a week in September. But if I get time I may try and get the RARB bushes and rear droplinks done on the drive!
My intent was to go for an OEM+ feel to the suspension. Up-rate where possible and I was impressed with the Koni FSD dampers on my Abarth so decided to go for the same tech for the Mazda. Looking forward to seeing how she feels after. I'll probably ask the garage to do a few more checks as they go and check any suspension parts I haven't bought and replace if they are looking tired.
I may have accidentally fallen over onto my keyboard and ordered suspension goodies....
The list I ordered is as follows:
2 x Front Koni Special Active Dampers
2 x Rear Koni Special Active Dampers
1 set Eibach Prolines (Same specs as the OEM Aero springs 25mm drop front 15mm rear. Just black not blue)
2 x Hardrace Front Droplinks
2 x Hardrace Rear Droplinks
1 set Powerflex RARB bushes
1 set Hardrace Front Top Mounts
All ordered from VIP Motorsport and arrived within 2 days of ordering bar the Hardrace top mounts which should be coming within 5 days. The idea is to get them fitted while I am away on holiday for a week in September. But if I get time I may try and get the RARB bushes and rear droplinks done on the drive!
My intent was to go for an OEM+ feel to the suspension. Up-rate where possible and I was impressed with the Koni FSD dampers on my Abarth so decided to go for the same tech for the Mazda. Looking forward to seeing how she feels after. I'll probably ask the garage to do a few more checks as they go and check any suspension parts I haven't bought and replace if they are looking tired.
Jester86 said:
In a sad update to this thread, my father lost his fight early this morning and passed away.
The Mazda transported me swiftly and boostily to spend the last few hours with him.
This project will continue as my small tribute to him.
So sorry to hear about your dad passing, condolences to you and your family.The Mazda transported me swiftly and boostily to spend the last few hours with him.
This project will continue as my small tribute to him.
I had read this thread when you started it and spotted on the 1st page today.
The 3 is looking good, really suits those new wheels and you will be definitely feel the benefit of the new suspension parts once they are on.
Fantastic engine in these, a real Q car
rickygolf83 said:
So sorry to hear about your dad passing, condolences to you and your family.
I had read this thread when you started it and spotted on the 1st page today.
The 3 is looking good, really suits those new wheels and you will be definitely feel the benefit of the new suspension parts once they are on.
Fantastic engine in these, a real Q car
I appreciate the thoughts and words pal.I had read this thread when you started it and spotted on the 1st page today.
The 3 is looking good, really suits those new wheels and you will be definitely feel the benefit of the new suspension parts once they are on.
Fantastic engine in these, a real Q car
Small update today, on Sunday I got dirty after work. For some reason I thought it would be a good idea to spend about 4 hours under the car on a pretty hot day!
All I wanted to do was change the rear drop links and the RARB bushes. Little did I know I was to be lulled into a false sense of security. The first droplink came off pretty nicely no issues. The second decided to round the allen slot off on the top aaaaaand bottom bolts. Being my first time doing this I spent a good hour so try trying to free it before I rang a friend and he told me just to cut them off. So out came the hacksaw and got it off.
The bolts that hold the RARB took ages to come out, but out they did and got replaced.
Both droplinks and bushes weren't in a terrible state but I feel better to have changed them out. Feels good to do it myself as well.
Next steps:
3M Headlight Restoration Kit has arrived - Hoping to have this done before Friday and the old boys funeral.
Further Suspension Refurb - Car is booked in to get the other goodies fitted when I go on holiday.
I managed to refurb the headlights last week. The 3M kit was good, they aren't 100% perfect if you are a perfectionist but pretty close!
A few little photos.
Before - Photos didn't quite capture the yellowing as well as I wanted!
During - Oh my word I hope they get better....
After - Looking goooooood.
Quite happy with the result. Much better than when I started and it took about 2 hours in the end, with a small rain break!
Might get some new number plates ordered up to freshen her up a little further. But next week she is ready to go in for the suspension overhaul. Only had to slide my flights a few days (thanks BA).
More to report soon.
A few little photos.
Before - Photos didn't quite capture the yellowing as well as I wanted!
During - Oh my word I hope they get better....
After - Looking goooooood.
Quite happy with the result. Much better than when I started and it took about 2 hours in the end, with a small rain break!
Might get some new number plates ordered up to freshen her up a little further. But next week she is ready to go in for the suspension overhaul. Only had to slide my flights a few days (thanks BA).
More to report soon.
Car got packed up with goodies.
Off we went to the garage to have it all fitted while I went on holiday for a week. The old girl required a few more bits replaced that I gave the ok for but nothing too extreme.
So the list of parts fitted was:
1. 4 x Koni Special Active Dampers
2. Eibach Springs (OEM Aero spec)
3. Hardrace Front Droplinks
4. 2x Hardrace Top Mounts
5. 2x Tie Rods
6. 2x OEM Rear Top Mounts
7. Powerflex Inner and Outer Trailing Arm Bushes (Both sides)
In addition to the previously replaced
8. 2 x Whiteline Rear Droplinks
9. Powerflex Rear ARB Bushes
10. 2 x Hardrace Front Wishbones
11. Powerflex Front ARB Bushes
Soooooo there really shouldn't be anything else left suspension wise that needs to be changed at this moment before my bank account needs mouth to mouth.
On Wednesday I am getting 4 x Michelin PS4 fitted along with 4 wheel alignment to top it all off.
First short drive back from the garage was glorious, everything felt tight and compliant. Now I feel really excited to give her the beans after Wednesday when it should all be truly worth it.
Off we went to the garage to have it all fitted while I went on holiday for a week. The old girl required a few more bits replaced that I gave the ok for but nothing too extreme.
So the list of parts fitted was:
1. 4 x Koni Special Active Dampers
2. Eibach Springs (OEM Aero spec)
3. Hardrace Front Droplinks
4. 2x Hardrace Top Mounts
5. 2x Tie Rods
6. 2x OEM Rear Top Mounts
7. Powerflex Inner and Outer Trailing Arm Bushes (Both sides)
In addition to the previously replaced
8. 2 x Whiteline Rear Droplinks
9. Powerflex Rear ARB Bushes
10. 2 x Hardrace Front Wishbones
11. Powerflex Front ARB Bushes
Soooooo there really shouldn't be anything else left suspension wise that needs to be changed at this moment before my bank account needs mouth to mouth.
On Wednesday I am getting 4 x Michelin PS4 fitted along with 4 wheel alignment to top it all off.
First short drive back from the garage was glorious, everything felt tight and compliant. Now I feel really excited to give her the beans after Wednesday when it should all be truly worth it.
the new mods will make a good improvement to the handling and the ps4s are a good choice of tyre.Thanks!
Minor update, today the car had alignment and PS4's fitted.
May have been slightly out....
Much better!
The difference is amazing. The car feels so much better, everything has come together and the car feels poised and composed.
Haven't had a chance to really lean on the car but on my cruise down the motorway she was smooth, much less vibration in the cabin with reduced road noise. Only really tyre roar to be heard and no nasty suspension noises. Expensive but so worth it, she should be good for many years to come.
Minor update, today the car had alignment and PS4's fitted.
May have been slightly out....
Much better!
The difference is amazing. The car feels so much better, everything has come together and the car feels poised and composed.
Haven't had a chance to really lean on the car but on my cruise down the motorway she was smooth, much less vibration in the cabin with reduced road noise. Only really tyre roar to be heard and no nasty suspension noises. Expensive but so worth it, she should be good for many years to come.
So my early optimism has been dashed as I am still getting some creaks and clunks at low speed and pulling away. High speed cruising everything feels brilliant.
New engine mounts are on the list to rule out some of the noises but i'll pop her back into the garage to make sure everything is checked as I am not happy with how she behaves. Especially after all the expense of new parts.
On another note the 3 will be having a new stablemate in the coming week or so....
New engine mounts are on the list to rule out some of the noises but i'll pop her back into the garage to make sure everything is checked as I am not happy with how she behaves. Especially after all the expense of new parts.
On another note the 3 will be having a new stablemate in the coming week or so....
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