I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: _suspension
Hi all, Presently trying to fix a snapped suspension upper mounting bolt after we changed to Bilstein’s.
Whilst doing it I realised we’d need to get it aligned so thought I’d remove the rear lateral link arm to make the job easier. Eccentric bolt seized solid so had to cut it but now struggling to find them anywhere other than Mazda dealer.
Does anyone know where I can get a couple for less than £60.
You dont need to touch those graduated bolts, they are indeed eccentric and are used to set the correct camber angle and they require specialist equipment.
If you google 3D wheel alighment specialist in your area they should be able to set things up correctly for you for your desired driving style.
Down here on the South Coast we use Wheel Alignment Solutions.
It’s not my post but if you read Nurburg’s post - they have already cut the bolts out because they were seized.
They are asking for a source of replacement bolts,
Thanks for the replies everyone. Managed to get the part numbers from Mazda Stoke, so I’ll give your suggestions a call tomorrow.
You dont need to touch those graduated bolts, they are indeed eccentric and are used to set the correct camber angle and they require specialist equipment.
Thanks Malski21, but how can you align everything with seized eccentric bolts? Surely they are eccentric to allow them to be adjusted?
The alignment bolts won’t make the car height sit any different, purely for camber and caster adjustment. Sorry if I’m teaching you to suck eggs.
I used an angle grinder and took the nut off from the rear, as the inside bolt head is more difficult to get at. Mine just slid out with a little persuasion from a screwdriver and hammer.
Once out I cleaned the whole area including the trail arm and all went back together great, no need for a new arm, but check the bushes whilst it’s off. Don’t think greasing is the usual way to go with eccentric bolts.
Thanks for the reply. Yeah that was my thoughts too, I don’t see how it would impact ride height, but MeisterR support have not been particularly helpful. This was their response
“Car may settle in a little bit. But check all the arms to make sure it is loose. Rear normally is about 340mm, sometime a little lower. So you are not very far off. I think give it a week to see how it looks first.”
I may try to knock out the bolt with some heat and force and buy new ones, then I know everything is free on the rear.
Don’t see what else it could be other than wondering if the spring length is different in the new batch of coilovers. Don’t think it’s preload related.
Just a thought - after the new suspension was fitted - did all the suspension pivot/adjuster bolts get undone - and then re-fastened with the car sitting on it’s wheels ?
If not - then you will have introduced twist in to the bushes that will be pushing the car up.
I’d disconnected two of the arms to install the shock, installed the shock and reinserted the arms and nipped up, but not tightened. Dropped the car back onto the ground.
When I realised the car was sitting too high, I raised the car, loosened the others off an dropped the car back onto the ground and sat like that for 2 days. I even disconnected the ARB drop links.
I heard back from MeisterR so will try that again, let it all reset, although access on the ground could be difficult, I don’t have ramps. Just jack and axle stands.
"Have a check with this bushes to make sure they have their bolt undone. Then re-tighten with the wheel on the ground. That is the biggest cause of the issue you see.
Also, check springs preload. They should only be loaded 2mm."
