my lower hose that goes from the turbo side to the intake box is very hard. Is there a way to soften this up so that the flexible part actually flexes?

 

They just get cooked over time with the heat. The only way I know of to make it more pliable is to replace it.

 

I've read on some other forums that people have had frankly amazing results by boiling the hose in a mixture of water and natural wintergreen oil. Supposedly turns even rock hard hoses into supple, like-new rubber.
Not sure about the price of a new hose but...as Sarge suggests, that really is the best fix. That hose is close to some thermal nightmares.

 

It may be worth finding a good used one, those should be a dime a dozen. Even ones that are nice and soft.

Dale

 

That sounds like some kind of aromatherapy. Boil wintergreen oil and add old FD intake hoses

 

'Eau de FD'

 

Sounds more like some kind of satanic sacrifice to the rotary gods to me

 

try soakin it in downy...

 

If it's not leaking what difference does it make if it's flexible?

 

x2

 

I can't install this gigantic carbon intake box if I can't push it back far enough

 

Buy a new one from Mazda if it's still available.

 

Looks like about $90 from one of the discount parts sellers for the bottom hose:

https://parts.coxmazda.com/p/Elbow/5...3A113221A.html