DamonB

Mazda has changed the part numbers once again on the stock front sway bar mounts:

FD01-34-160F (right)
FD01-34-180E (left)

The upgraded Mazda mounts are available as a pair only (I believe these are only available to Mazda Motorsports members as it's not a stock part number):

0000-04-7304-BK

When the new stock mounts get here I will know if they are "improved" or not. Typically Mazda only changes part numbers when the part is upgraded. This would be the third variant of the stock FD front sway bar brackets, not counting the also available upgraded ones

SpeedKing

iTrader: (4)

Move to the Suspension forum!

reza

Well, he is the mod of suspension forum.

Why upgrade with another stock type? I think the logical upgrade path is to use the Widefoot Swaybar Mount. Definitely stronger

DamonB

Because as a Mazda Motorsports member you can get them for $54 a pair. They're practically disposable

(...and I don't want my swaybar mounts raised)

reza

Why don't you want the swaybar mount raised? I need to understand and learn why here....
Is it in the scca rule book? I think for ASP is allowed.

DamonB

Aftermarket sway bar mounts are perfectly legal in stock as long as the two are not tied together or mounted in a non-stock location. For an FD any aftermarket mount I've seen is stock legal, but something like the Racing Beat brace is illegal in stock since it ties the two mounts together. The Tripoint braces I use are legal because they tie each mount to the frame, but not to eachother.

I don't like the raised mounts because this means the sway bar arms are no longer parallel to the road surface when the car is at ride height. Most people don't care.

reza

Does it have to be parallel? I thought the function of it is just a momen force between the left and right sides.

DamonB

Why I think it best the mounts be stock height

cavellm

Damnit Damon. I always have to think when I read your threads.

DamonB

The little buggers are here and for the life of me I can't tell a difference between these and the previous type with the extra layer of metal on the frame attachment side. Maybe they use a new brand of paint now and so needed new part numbers

GoRacer

iTrader: (2)

Why would you bother with stock when you could have gotten Mazdaspeed ones?

turbojeff

iTrader: (30)

I think the only difference is that extra piece of metal on the top where the mount attaches to the frame. I believe the original mount was not flat (enough) on the mounting surface allowing the sway bar mount to rock on the frame rails. Eventually this cracks the frame rails where the bolts attach the sway bar.

2MCHPWR

iTrader: (2)

how and where can i get the mazada motorsports one?

KevinK2

My Mod'd Stock Brackets
- I used JB weld to create a flat surface, stops rocking
- welded on 4 vert strips, 5/8" x .1", between top and bottom "platforms"
- made offset link from 1/8 x 1/2" strip, goes from forward pivot bolt to
steering rack stud for lateral support (like RB cross brace)

Work well, and legal. Wide foot was only option at the time.

DamonB

My current mounts are 1/8" pieces of laser cut steel for the top and bottom plates that are then joined by a short length of 1.5" steel tube. Radiator mounts are tacked onto the tubes.

Cheap and bomb proof. No need for extra braces and the bar stays at stock height. I made the mount at the bottom larger to fit the Tripoint bronze bushings directly without the need for the extra Tripoint pieces.

rynberg

Damon, David Breslau now has spacers available as an option that lower the bar back to ~ stock position while maintaining the great design of the mount. Check out the thread in the Group Buy forum....

DamonB

David makes nice parts but I refuse to pay that much for something I was able to build from $25 worth of materials and a couple hours of time. Yes, I realize his are prettier and ready to bolt on but mine perform their function just fine.