Mazda Protegé

newcar31

What does that say about Mazda when you're "lucky" they only screwed up on one part?

the_big_h

doesn't say much does it? They need to improve their parts inventory/support system to match the quality of their cars

mazdafun

And they'll only be able to fix it if they are aware there's a problem.

Newcar, yooper etc. I urge you to complain to Mazda NA Consumer Relations and report these shortcomings. It'd be a shame for their aftermarket efforts to fail because some uncaring lackeys in their factory or DC are screwing up and Mazda doesn't know about it.

Believe me, when production people screw up, most usually try to cover it up and pretend they're not aware there's an issue. I had to deal with a plant supervisor and a couple shift supervisors that were very careless about handing production tools (damaging them quite often) that were like that. The off-spec (sometimes not visible) parts would cause problems downstream of them and caused our toolmakers to spend more time on tool repair and maintenance than they should have. They were ultimately replaced after we found out they were not following specified procedures even though they were given several opportunities to improve their performance. Part quality and tool life improved after we found supervisors that did follow proper handling procedures.

maltb

Check your e-mail...

newcar31

Check your e-mail. I can't check Yahoo mail here, so I e-mailed you from work. Thanks.

fowler3

In the 60's and 70's I worked for an envelope manufacturer in Virginia. A new sales clerk got a call from a little old lady in Alabama who wanted to order 1,000 church offering envelopes. It was a small country church with only a few members.

The sales clerk took the order and where he was suppose to write the number ordered, 1m for 1,000, he wrote 1mm -- 1 million. They were produced and shipped by truck. One million filled an 18-wheeler.

When they arrived the old lady called and said there had been a mistake, "My house and front porch are full of boxes!" The clerk thinking it was a re-order shipped another 1 million. This story is true!

He was fired and the company hired a truck to pick up the excess and haul it to a recycling plant for shredding. Too expensive to ship back to Virginia and no use for custom printed envelopes at other churches.

fowler3

fowler3

We are all 18 and having the time of our lives zoom zooming! Need I say more?

fowler3

chicagopro

"We are all 18 and having the time of our lives zoom zooming! Need I say more?"

Well put!

newcar31

That envelope manufacturer only did that once, but I see what you are saying.

Anyway, I *think* the strut tower bar problem is being taken care of.

the_big_h

what is your resolution, if you don't mind elaborating?

newcar31

Let's just say that Maltb has notified the proper authorities.

mazdafun

Maltb always comes through in the end.

the_big_h

"excellent..."

elec3

I'm 21 and rather happy about that Nothing worse than being 18 and able to smoke yourself to death or grab a gun and defend your country (rifle only, mind you - handguns are 21 most places, but if the military issues it, it's ok...go figure) but needing to break the law to enjoy a cold brew on a hot summer day. There's a good college bar that has reasonable drinks and no cover charge - I like to go hang out there sometimes even if I don't feel like drinking because it's always fun and free to get in. Only thing that bugs me now is that there are some clubs in Chicago that still won't let you in unless you're 23 or 25. They try to appeal to an older crowd I guess.

Still I don't blame ya...once I hit about 25 or 26, I think I'd like to stay there forever. Most people spend the first part of their life rushing to grow up and the rest of their life wishing they hadn't

speedypt

Strut bar.... I installed the J-Spec Sport 20 bar on my 2000 ES. I had some fitment and missing parts issues too. I expected to have them as I was installing a Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) part on my North American Domestic Market (NADM) car. I ordered from Corksport and had a few issues with it, but all were resolved to my satisfaction by Ben at Corksport.
1. The strut bar I have is exactly the same as the one from the MP3/PR5 save color. Mine came in screaming bright red...which I promptly painted Chrome Silver with a can of automotive spray paint.
2. I am somewhat handy so making the minor modifications were really no problem for me. I also had to source the mounting bolts and washers, again I really didn't mind.
3. No offense meant here but putting this bar in is NOT ROCKET SCIENCE! Instructions are helpful, but you can eyeball and test fit the parts included and get it to fix exactly!
4. I respect that you don't wish to invest any more time or effort into putting the strut bar in. Maybe customizing cars isn't for you? If you want to customize, maybe seek a local mechanic or "speed shop" familiar with these types of modifications. For a fee they will install for you.
5. I offered help to anyone wanting to install their strut bar, no one took me up on my offer. I am not the only one who has done the install either...it's not impossible.
6. Follow up with the dealer you purchased the item from, if they are no help, return the item for a refund. Just understand that the bar from Corksport is the same one offered by the dealer.

As for me...34 yrs old. Still act 18 when I'm driving too! Cornering hard is still a genuine thrill for me!

Regards,

Pete

newcar31

I consider myself mechanically inclined. I don't really need directions, but they help to let you know which parts are needed, and which parts are re-used. Any kit that comes with this many loose parts should at the very least come with a bill of materials. I understand putting the bar on is not rocket science, but it becomes difficult when you don't have the right parts. When I order what is supposed to be an OEM part, I don't expect to have to "source" mounting bolts and washers. That is why I didn't order the corksport bar. So far, swapping automatic transmissions in my friends garage on a 79 oldsmobile has been easier than this strut tower bar. Besides, it isn't the actual installation that is difficult, it is finding out which parts you are missing (over and over again) and ordering them. That bothers me.

yooper53

I did. Twice.

rbrooks3

Well I'm glad I'm not the only member of the over 30 crowd here. I'm 35. The major problem with installing strut bars is making certain you have absolutely NO side load on installation. The idea of these parts is to provide bracing against side loads that force the strut towers out of ideal position. The major problem with aftermarket bars is that they requirs you to drill holes for it. If you do this, the measurements must be precise otherwise you end up creating side load when that's what you are trying to avoid with the part itself. that's why it's always better to get a bar that uses existing mounting points. That's the only one I will consider. My locatl dealer has a salesman that big into performance parts. He currently has a Miata with a turbo charger system, water injection, and NOS. He's going to start work on a 2002 ProES soon. I'm going to have him order the part for me with the parts dept and if anything is wrong, they can kepe the package until all parts are there. The problem with Mazda, however, is that you have to pay in full before they order so the customer gets screwed if the supplier makes a mistake.

It looks like my first upgrade will be the Sport Muffler and then the strut bar, followed by upgraded 6x9 rear speakers. Once that's done, I should be fine with my new Pro.

Ron Brooks

chicagopro

Trust me, kiddo, you're not the only over-30 kid hanging around here. (And when I turn 39 next week, I'm going to hang on to that one for a loooooong time

rbrooks3

Well I'm glad I'm not the only member of the over 30 crowd here. I'm 35. The major problem with installing strut bars is making certain you have absolutely NO side load on installation. The idea of these parts is to provide bracing against side loads that force the strut towers out of ideal position. The major problem with aftermarket bars is that they requirs you to drill holes for it. If you do this, the measurements must be precise otherwise you end up creating side load when that's what you are trying to avoid with the part itself. that's why it's always better to get a bar that uses existing mounting points. That's the only one I will consider. My locatl dealer has a salesman that big into performance parts. He currently has a Miata with a turbo charger system, water injection, and NOS. He's going to start work on a 2002 ProES soon. I'm going to have him order the part for me with the parts dept and if anything is wrong, they can kepe the package until all parts are there. The problem with Mazda, however, is that you have to pay in full before they order so the customer gets screwed if the supplier makes a mistake.

It looks like my first upgrade will be the Sport Muffler and then the strut bar, followed by upgraded 6x9 rear speakers. Once that's done, I should be fine with my new Pro.

Ron Brooks

vocus

Someone refreshed their browser when posting...

vocus

..ain't nothing but a number. I was 20 when I ot my first Protege, and 22 when I got my second one. All my friends (21-33 years old) loved both of my cars. My 53-year old mother (at the time) even loved to zoom-zoom in my 1999 DX. So age doesn't really matter, it's how young you feel.

ashutoshsm

Th package had only 3 things in it - the bar, and two almost fully circular mounts. no nuts, no bolts, but I imagine I can easily use the existing nuts and bolts on the strut tower - lots of leftover thread.

This is an adjustable kind of strut tower brace - adjusted by turning the threaded ends of the bar/brace itself into the hinged, threaded receptacle ends on the semi-circular mounts.

My question is - how do I determine how (much) to adjust the strut bar length to? Or will it find an equilibrium position as/while I install it?

Also, since I don't see to have any extra washers that came with the shipped item, does anyone feel I should 'source' some washers and if so, what order I should reconnect the mounts and nuts and bolts and washers (if any). I'm not sure if there are currently washers unedr the existing nuts on the huge bolts on the strut towers. What's the norm for that?

TIA! Will probably install it whe its warmer and less windy (perhaps tomorrow)

dinu01

with this board? Once the pinnacle here at Edmunds, and now??? Oh well.

protege_fan

Maybe it's just an off week?? It's also been slow (low traffic) at the other website

the_big_h

so it's an adjustable type strut bar eh? what I would do is mount it so that the bar is not pulling at any side, and sits right in the middle between the two circular mounts and their adjustment threads. Probably want to do the install with your car parked on a level surface.

I don't think you need washers, just mount it tightly using the nuts that are holding your struts right now. The factory bar for 3rd is like that, so it should be ok. Tighten to about 36-46 lb.ft. for each nut I believe?

dinu, i guess if you want to get this board running again you need to start a hot discussion topic, but please, anything BUT tires! too much tire talk already!!!

rbrooks3

The Big H is right. Get the car on a level surface and install the bar so that it simply drops down from above right onto the mounting bolts. The holes on the bar should be just large enough for the bolts to fit through. Torque down as Big H said and you're set.

Let me know if you have cruise control and where you got it from so I'll have a good source myself for one if yours goes on OK.

Ron Brooks

ashutoshsm

Thanks for the tips, people!

I don't have a torque wrench - how important is it to re-tighten to the right torque? If it's critical, I can complete the installation myself (should be easy provided the hole sizes and spacig is correct - yet to check that!) and then drive down to a local small-time mechanic, and pay for the few minutes (if they're willing) to correctly tighten the 6 bolts.

Ron: I don't have cruise control (95 DX!)
I bought this off ebay.com from a seller called lightspeed - he shipped it Friday afternoon and it arrived Monday, very well packaged, and by USPS Express Mail. Assuming its the right size and fits corectly (and I will keep everyone poted about that!), I'd say this person is a good source for aftermarket stuff. He also has taillights, foglights, wheels and other upgrades for multiple (mostly import) cars. And despite having hundreds of auctions open simultaneously, the two emails I sent were always answered (to my satisfaction) within 24 hours!

I don't know how it will perform, but I'm pretty sure I will see an improvement. And I guess its hard to go wrong for $30 plus shipping (12). The bar is chrome plated, and just under an inch thick (say 20-25 mm), and feels pretty solid. The brackets are solid too, and blue, with good quality hinges connected by large bolts. And its adjustable with excellent threading that operates smoothly. I'll also try to take a photo before and after the install and post it on the Yahoo! group (mazdaprotege).

-ashu

sunbyrne

No, Ron, you're not the only over-30 around here. I'm 32 myself, and I love zoom-zooming around in my P5. Good fun.

Sporin

I'm 31 in March!

duh_ster

24...in march too!

protege_fan

new poll? 24...not in March :P

reitrof

45 this weekend.

maltb

31 next week

protegenic

39 in June (reality just hit...time to go home and sulk).

BTW, I joined the Yahoo group, but I will probably still spend most of my time here. I just hate having to hyperlink to see each entry individually. Maybe I missed some setting though.

mdaffron

Meade

oldnumber7

Just shy of 42 here and darn glad to see I'm not the oldest in this group :-)

the_big_h

so this is the hot topic that'll keep this board on Edmunds top 10? I'm gonna be, what, 24, in August?

Looks like the Protege is selling well to a pretty wide range of demographic, I guess everyone loves to zoom zoom no matter how old they are!

and ashu, I would think that those nuts should be tightened properly since they're keeping your struts from falling off your car!

fowler3

Still I don't blame ya...once I hit about 25 or 26, I think I'd like to stay there forever. Most people spend the first part of their life rushing to grow up and the rest of their life wishing they hadn't

Too true, but my comment wasn't meant as factual, take it figurativly. You are only as old as you feel, when you stop feeling you are dead.

When I hit 26 I didn't think of it as the ideal age. When I hit 30 that was a small milestone. When I hit 40 that was a major change. Beyond 40 you start worrying about old age. But 50 isn't really old, you realize it when you hit 60. In all the ages I have been through I have always felt 35 mentally, so that must be the ideal age. You are respected by younger and older people at that age. You are a mature person at 35, who thinks he is still 18 at heart when he buys a sporty car.

The best thing about being old is that you didn't die young and missed all the fun. ZOOM ZOOM! Don't be in a hurry to get older, do be in a hurry to get better at what you do. There's more than one race out there and the biggest race is against yourself. Think about it.

Thought for today: A walker is an old person's strut bar.

fowler3

duh_ster

...now that's just freaky...my b-day is on the same day as meade's?!?! :Þ

zimsjim

I am planning on buying the 2002 LX in silver with a spoiler and automatic as the options- however, we took it out for a test drive on 2 highways and on one of them we were bouncing up and down like a bobble head doll- do you think it was just that highway or has anyone experience uncomfort and how fast have you gotten your car up to and does it rattle or make a lotof noise?- thanks

fowler3

The first LX I test drove did the same thing and it turned out to be the wheels were out of balance. Drive aother Pro LX over the same roads to see if there is a difference. Did the steering wheel jump up and down? If so, it's definately the wheels out of balance.

Keep in mind the suspension on the LX is stiff, but not as stiff as on the ES models. It will soften up somewhat when the LX gets 2000 to 3000 miles on it.

First impressions are usually wrong because you are looking at and thinking about a lot of things at one time. Go back and drive another car with the main purpose to check the ride.

fowler3

mdaffron

We got the same b-day? Freaky!!!

Meade
3-01-65

(My wife's is March 15 and my cat's is March 23.)

fowler3

to you, to your wife, and to your cat 9 times.

fowler3

chicagopro

Meade: Nice to see you back here! Be careful, though, those birthday comments are pretty controversial...hate to see you incur the wrath of, ahem, somebody.

Maltb: both Krotine and myself have birthdays next week...I'm the 14th. (I'll let him divulge if he cares to.) And you?

--Dale

maltb

you couldn't have picked a better day. I have only met 2 other people born on the same day(as far as I know) so you make 3.

A Happy b-day to you next Thursday.

Of course, the downfall is that if I forget to my wife something for MY b-day, I'm in the dog house.

ashutoshsm

ZimsJim - check the air pressure in the tires of the next LX you test drive - it should be pretty comfy 9subjective!) on all kinsd of roads, it is a family sedan - after all! I understand that when cars are shipped and brought over on the truck, the tires are over-inflated (to about 44psi) and some dealerships forget to rectify that (to 32 psi cold) when they prep the car.

ashutoshsm

Just to add to the post count, I'm a March-person too - 3/30/77, so I'll be 25 this 30th of March!

The coincidences are making me think there's something fishy going on! The Italian restaurant in Long Island we went to this last weekend - around 25 tables, and shortly after people realised that someone with a birthday was getting free cake and 7 baritoned servers singing Happy Birthday in English and Italian, and no ids were being checked for verification - at least 7-8 more tables (suddenly) also had someone with a birthday :-)

ashutoshsm

Methinks perhaps it would be a good idea to finally add a decent torque wrench to my tool collection. How does one work? Can I use my existing different-sized bolt-holders (sorry, no idea what they're called!) with it, or do I need to get a set of them with the wrench?

Which brands? Where do I buy? How much (ball-park)do they cost? Can I get it at Sears? Home Depot? Loews? WalMart? Autozone/Checker (or NoVA equivalent)?

TIA
-ashu

protege_fan

I think that'd be a great idea too...after my last oil change at Midas, they gave me my invoice and it said "Remember to re-torque your wheels". Ummmm...isn't that their job??