Mazda 3 (2004-2009) - Spring Installation

Mazda 3 (2004-2009)

Production	2004-2009
Platform	Ford C1 platform
Engine(s)	1.4 L MZR I4 1.5 L MZR I4 1.6 L MZR I4 2.0 L MZR I4 2.3 L MZR I4 1.6 L MZ-CD I4 2.0 L MZR-CD I4
Transmission(s)	5-speed automatic 4-speed automatic 5-speed manual 6-speed manual
Length	2004-06 i Sedan: 178.3 in 2004-06 s Sedan: 4540 mm (178.7 in) 2004-06 Hatchback: 4485 mm (176.6 in) 2007-09 i Sedan: 177.4 in 2007-09 s Sedan: 177.6 in 2007-present Hatchback: 176.8
Width	1755 mm (69.1 in)
Height	1465 mm (57.7 in)
Curb weight	1180-1315 kg (2600-2900 lb)

Contents 1 Tools Needed (Front) 2 Tools Needed (REAR) 3 Supplies Needed 4 Instructions 4.1 Front Springs Installation 4.2 Rear Springs Installation 5 Videos 6 See Also

[edit] Tools Needed (Front)

• Breaker Bar
• 17 MM Socket
• 14 MM socket
• Metric allen/hex keys
• Jack
• Jack stands
• Adjustable wrench
• Pry Bar
• Mallet
• Spring Compressors

[edit] Tools Needed (REAR)

• Breaker Bar
• 17 MM Socket
• Metric allen/hex keys
• Jack
• Jack stands
• Adjustable wrench

[edit] Supplies Needed

• WD40
• PB Blaster
• Springs
• A willing friend

[edit] Instructions

[edit] Front Springs Installation

1. First, Jack up both sides of the front of the vehicle (makes it easier to take off the sway endlinks) and place jackstands
2. Spray bolts on top of strut tower with pb blaster
   

   

   pbblast
3. Unclip the ABS from the control arm
   

   

   unclip abs
4. Unclip the Brakeline from the shock body
   

   

   Unclip
5. Unbolt the sway endlink and unclip the abs (Spray with pb blast, let it soak.)While nut is almost off knock with hammer to take out of shock.
   

   

   Loosen
6. Unbolt the control arm (17mm)
   

   

   Loosen
7. Take mallet and beat the control arm down (put a jack under the control arm so that it doesnt fall and wreck the cv joints/axle)
   

   

   HAMMER TIME!
   if it is difficult you can try using a scissor jack, OR wedge the prybar into the sleeve and rock back and forth as you hammer it down
   

   

   Place prybar between sleeve, and pry, be careful with CV
8. when almost out, take a scissor jack and place in between control arm, open so that the shock pops out of the sleeve.
9. spray pb blaster in sleeve and wipe
10. On strut tower, take breaker and 17mm socket and loosen center bolt (DO NOT TAKE OFF ALL THE WAY)
    

    

    loosen, NOT ALL THE WAY!
11. take off 3 bolts from strut tower, coilover assembly now free. Be careful that you don't let the assembly fall, easier to have one person unbolt while other holds the assembly and guides it out of wheelwell
    

    

    Remove the 14mm bolts
12. take spring compressors, compress both sides of spring evenly
13. unbolt the bolt of the shock using a hex key and wrench
14. slide off sleeve, make sure the bearings don't fall out (better to loosen black sleeve hose at it's base and then pull up)
15. compress new spring and seat
16. replace the sleeve, bolt down using hex key and wrench
17. remove spring compressors and replace the assembly, hand tighten the strut tower bolts for the assembly
18. place jack under control arm, make sure the strut is in the proper orientation and jack up into strut
19. using pry bar, rapidly pry sleeve open/close while friend jacks up
    

    

    Place prybar between sleeve, and pry, be careful with CV
20. replace the control arm bolt
    

    

    Tighten
21. replace endlink bolt
    

    

    Tighten
22. reclip brakeline and abs
    

    

    Reclip abs
    

    

    Clip
23. rinse and repeat for other side
24. thank god you're finished.

[edit] Rear Springs Installation

1. First, Jack up the rear of the vehicle and place jackstands
2. next, unbolt the endlinks of the swaybar from the control arm. The sway bar should swing down.
3. Place the jack under the control arm of the spring being removed/changed and jack up so that it doesn't swing down when unbolting the control arm
4. Remove the 17mm bolt holding the control arm, I marked it with a marker to keep the same amount of torque when replacing it. It's easier to get access to the bolt if you remove the wheels.
5. lower jack slowly, allowing control arm to be pushed down by spring. If it doesnt come down, tap it slightly or pry it, but be cautious that it doesn't cause injury from the rebound of the spring
6. You should now be able to remove the spring. Take off the top spring cushion and put it on the new spring, make sure it's seated propery.
7. Seat the new spring, make sure that it's seated properly, there is a small hole in the control arm where you can see if it's seated.
8. while making sure the spring stays seated, jack the control arm back up, replace the 17mm bolt.
9. rinse and repeat for the other side.
10. reattach the swaybar endlinks to the control arms once both sides are done
11. enjoy a drink.

[edit] Videos

[edit] See Also