[ion]

Let me preface this question by saying that I know very little about suspension. I was considering buying these springs and this rear sway bar.

With regard to the springs, I'm looking for something that's only slightly lower so I have plenty of clearance on some of the gravel roads I regularly drive on. As for the sway bar, I have a 2008 S40 and I wasn't sure which model year Mazda 3 had compatible parts, as there seem to be two different rear sway bars for 04-06 and 07-09 Mazda 3s. What do you guys think, are these reasonable options?

Also, I was hoping to do the install and alignment myself, but I was wondering if the camber change would be significant enough to warrant adjustable camber arms.

 

[coolin]

pretty sure those will work
i ordered ST coilovers for a mazda3 a couple days ago, should be getting them in next week

 

[stev vanveit]

Is this a Volvo forum?

 

[nkreig]

Is this a Volvo forum?

The Mazda 3 shares the same platform as the volvo p1 so, most suspension components can b used on our cars

Sent from my HTC Glacier using Tapatalk 2

 

[JN2k108]

Those parts will fit


Sent from my iPhone4S using Tapatalk while on the toilet.

 

[Veefifty T5AWD]

FYI: there is a used ipd sway for sale on the forum. I think he's asking $140 shipped. If interested let me know, I'll dig up his contact info.

 

[pczeilon]

Check your existing bar to see if you have vertical or horizontal links. The Mazda ones pictured are vertical (which is preferred). If you have horizontal you will need to buy new links.

You should be able to get away without camber arms with that mild a drop. This assumes you are somewhere near the recommended -1.5* at the moment.

 

[ion]

Check your existing bar to see if you have vertical or horizontal links. The Mazda ones pictured are vertical (which is preferred). If you have horizontal you will need to buy new links.

You should be able to get away without camber arms with that mild a drop. This assumes you are somewhere near the recommended -1.5* at the moment.

Good catch, I have the horizontal links. I contacted racingbeat and they said the 07-09 bar is the same, but the bushings were slightly modified. Will the 07-09 bushings be the most similar?

Also, you mentioned replacing the links, how hard is this to do, and where do I get the vertical links?

As for the ipd sway bar, I want something that's stiffer, and this one is only $20 brand new...

 

[pczeilon]

Factory links at Tasca. (Does not include the lock nuts).

You may also want to verify the spacing between the bushings on the subframe. The Mazda should be the same as your car but Volvo changed this dimension on the C30. The C30 Sport bar doesn't work on the S40 only because there is a washer welded to the bar to prevent side to side motion. The washer happens to fall right in the center of the S40 bushing location.

 

[stev vanveit]

The Mazda 3 shares the same platform as the volvo p1 so, most suspension components can b used on our cars

Thanks nkveig I didn't realize that the Mazda 3 shared the same platform. :facepalm:
Guess it goes back to the joint venture with Ford in China.

 

[ion]

Factory links at Tasca. (Does not include the lock nuts).

You may also want to verify the spacing between the bushings on the subframe. The Mazda should be the same as your car but Volvo changed this dimension on the C30. The C30 Sport bar doesn't work on the S40 only because there is a washer welded to the bar to prevent side to side motion. The washer happens to fall right in the center of the S40 bushing location.

Thanks, I'm verifying spacing. I'm assuming I should be able to use lock nuts from the end links that I already own?

Also, you mentioned that vertical links are preferred, I understand that they're necessary for this sway bar, but why are they preferred? Considering my car is a 2008 and the vertical links come from a 2005, wouldn't that mean that they switched to horizontal links for newer model years, and thus, newer engineering data showed that horizontal were better? Or do the vertical links come with some kind of sport suspension option on newer model years as well?

 

[pczeilon]

Thanks, I'm verifying spacing. I'm assuming I should be able to use lock nuts from the end links that I already own?

Also, you mentioned that vertical links are preferred, I understand that they're necessary for this sway bar, but why are they preferred? Considering my car is a 2008 and the vertical links come from a 2005, wouldn't that mean that they switched to horizontal links for newer model years, and thus, newer engineering data showed that horizontal were better? Or do the vertical links come with some kind of sport suspension option on newer model years as well?

You can get locknuts & washers at the hardware store if yours don't fit. You are correct, Volvo has returned to the better links on the C30 sport suspension. Just like the front, they have no play & the rod end allows freedom of motion. The bushings in the other style compress a bit when you load the bar. The "fix" is to run harder poly bushings. However, this will force the thru-bolt to bend & eventually break. This is exacerbated by larger bars & spirited driving. If you were to track or autocross your car you wouldn't even get a year out of them.

I don't know about fitment for sure but checking the Mazda forums shows that the Speed 3 uses a 26mm bar. You might save money by going with an OEM bar & links.

Stock
---------------
Mazda 3 stock front bar: 21mm diameter Solid
Mazda 3 stock rear bar: 20mm diameter Solid, 10mm bolt hole
(as you can see, this factory setup leads to a slight understeer. this is done because understeer is a safe and predictable characteristic)

Mazdaspeed 3 stock front bar: 26mm diameter Solid
Mazdaspeed 3 stock rear bar: 26mm diameter Solid, 12mm bolt hole
(this is a more neutral setup. the Mazdaspeed 3 also has stronger endlinks and a different rear bolt size)

Mazdaspeed Accessory Kit front bar: Unknown Solid (I'll measure it when I get home)
Mazdaspeed Accessory Kit rear bar: 26mm Solid
(these are thicker than stock, resulting in tigher handling, as well as changing the original factory bias to be more neutral)

 

[ion]

I think because of the fitment questionability, I'd rather go for the aftermarket Mazda 3 sway bar, which is 27mm as opposed to 26mm OEM MS3, not that the diameter necessarily indicates stiffness. I don't intend to autocross regularly (I might give it a try now that I've seen some youtube videos), so I should be good with regard to the bolts. Although, when you say that the bushings compress, are you referring to the ones on the bar itself, or on the stabilizer links, or both? I think the bar comes with urethane bushings, but obviously the stabilizer links would have the stock rubber pieces.

The stabilizer links are still open for debate though. Maybe the C30 sport stabilizer links will fit?

 

[Silver T5]

The Mazda springs have a lighter spring rate because the Mazda is lighter. The springs are also taller. I had a picture of the stock S40 vs the mazdaspeed 3 springs, not sure if I can dig it up. Also the mazdaspeed 3 sway bar link hole is larger than the S40 so you might have to swap the end links as well as the sway bay if the Mazda 3 is the same as the mazdaspeed 3 SB.
If you want to go slightly lower 1/2" or so get a set of stock mazdaspeed 3 struts and rear eibach springs. It will be slightly lower and better handling.

 

[ion]

I don't want to replace my struts, which is why I chose these springs. Supposedly the spring rate is 20% higher, and they're only supposed to lower the car about a 1/2". I figure that even after you compensate for the weight differences (and possibly spring height) between the Mazda 3 and S40, it should come out to about the same change and decent handling (or do you think this combination won't work?).

I already have to swap the stabilizer links given that I have the horizontal ones instead of the vertical ones. If the C30 links fit, maybe I'll try them. I could also try this: http://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-45G20612-Professional-Stabilizer-Shaft/dp/B001KSE0C0/ref=au_pf_ss_15?ie=UTF8&Model=S40|144&n=15684181&s=automotive&Make=Volvo|27&Year=2008|2008&carId=

 

[EngTech]

Interesting , but If Your looking to save a few Bucks , Call Don , and ask Him to Hook You up with a Package Deal as You feel like a Fool for Passing up His
Group Buy . He'll work with You .

Then It's Weight matched .

 

[ion]

I don't ever want to buy anything from Elevate, he marks his stuff up way too much.
Take these for example:
from Amazon - $132.94
from Elevate - $209

 

[pczeilon]

I can see you are starting to get confused...
The bracket bushings (that attach the bar to the subframe) can be stock rubber or poly. No real problems with either.

Your links look like this & these are the rubber bushings I was referring to. Imagine the suspension moving through it's range & you can see the shortcomings of this style.

This is the other style, it works exactly like the fronts. These links are all the same, 05' S40 or C30 Sport. Your Amazon links probably would be OK as well. You are looking for something like this - Amazon

 

[ion]

Thanks for the clarification pczeilon!

 

[coolin]

got my ST coils today! came in in like 3 days!
i'll be sure to take lots of pics and try and put up a how to
wont have time to install until next weekend, tho, finals suck