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ND Sway Bar Install Notes

Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2015 6:37 pm
by 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.

Re: ND Sway Bar Install Notes

Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2016 10:45 am
by 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.

Re: ND Sway Bar Install Notes

Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 12:32 pm
by Brian
Not especially difficult but double the work of the sway install on the NA in terms of time.

Re: ND Sway Bar Install Notes

Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2017 3:56 pm
by 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,

Re: ND Sway Bar Install Notes

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2017 12:07 pm
by Brian
Send our front desk guys a picture by email and they can sort that with Rocky (head mechanic).

Re: ND Sway Bar Install Notes

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2017 1:10 pm
by 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

Re: ND Sway Bar Install Notes

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2017 5:10 pm
by 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.

Re: ND Sway Bar Install Notes

Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2017 3:43 am
by 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,

Re: ND Sway Bar Install Notes

Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2017 7:00 pm
by 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.

Re: ND Sway Bar Install Notes

Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2017 8:12 pm
by Brian
Here is a copy of our Progress ND Sway Bar Installation, CLICK on the PICS for FULL SIZE

FRONT:
F1.jpg
F3.jpg
F6.jpg
f9.jpg
R5.jpg
REAR:
R1a.jpg
R3.jpg
R7.jpg