ND Sway Bar Install Notes

[Brian]

Courtesy of Mazda's Own Dave Coleman

Finally talked to some guys who have done a lot of front bar changes on the ND. Its easier than it looks.

Mark the steering shaft U-joint position and remove the clamp bolt.
Remove the two bolts holding the steering rack to the subframe.
Slide the rack forward out of its double-shear mounting brackets, then let it drop down.
Unbolt the sway bar and slide it out.
No need to remove either tie rod end.

[jlbeas13]

So how hard is it to do this? I do not own a lift but I do have jack stands. I did a sway bar switch on my NA but didn't really have to take anything else apart. Is it difficult reinstalling the steering rack? I also saw somewhere else that you can drop the sub-frame but that sounds like an even larger task than doing it this method.

[Brian]

Not especially difficult but double the work of the sway install on the NA in terms of time.

[JoseF734]

Hi guys,

I've installed the sway bars in a MX-5 ND and everything went OK, except the the rear reinforcement brackets.

When tightening the big nut on top, the friction of the nut make the bracket bend. Any suggestion for this not to happen?

Regards,

[Brian]

Send our front desk guys a picture by email and they can sort that with Rocky (head mechanic).

[JoseF734]

Already done and I have a response. Not the one I expect, but....

He considers a little bend as acceptable, I consider if the reinforcement bracket is bended, doesn't have any contribution for the rigidity of the sway support.

But, again, as far as I understand and search, Progressive are the only brand that provide those reinforcements. Are they really needed anyway?

Regards and thx for the quick reply

[Brian]

I have not see the pic, but the whole point is more impact from the sway bar by reducing flex of the stock mount, and more longevity of the stock mounts by reinforcement. Thus, whether it is 'needed' really depends on how hard you drive it, more important for the guys actually racing the car and putting far more stress on the mounts thanks to race tires, etc.

[JoseF734]

Hi,

I have a new kit to mount on my car now. When I do it, I'll send you some pictures and maybe what I'm saying is gonna be more perceptible.

Regards,

[BrodieH315]

Brian, any chance you guys have got instructions with pictures? I'm handy with tools, but I don't know how to identify the steering U-joint. Some pics with beginning to end, step-by-step instructions would go a long way to getting this front bar installed that I've had sitting around for a couple months now.

[Brian]

Sorry, not here...but that has been posted with pics at Miata.net forum.

A few searches there should find it.

[ChristopherH060]

Does anybody have info on installing the extra collars that come with the sway bars front and rear?

[Brian]

Not much to it, they stop the bar from sliding sideways.

[ChristopherH060]

Thanks Brian. It's a super tight fit to snug them flush against the brackets. It looks like a small gap from your picture to clear the frame where the brackets mount. On the rears I mounted the collar flush to the bracket (although I've now got squeak front and rear from the bushings. Thoughts? It's been a while since I turned a wrench on my sporty car (no shortage of busted knuckles working on my LR3).

[Brian]

Try a smear or grease on outer bushing surface. If you have the slid stops essentially press fit, see if you can back them off enough so rear bar moves free when not connected to endlinks. The slide stops can be to inside as needed.

[ChristopherH060]

Popped the rear bushings out, lubed the snot out of them inside and out with Super Lube, backed the slip stops off an 1/8". Tightened everything back down and I'm squeak free. Thanks Brian!