Shadowden's Mazda3 Build thread

geo2maz · Postby **geo2maz** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 9:14

RichB wrote:I like the Vinyl on the door Pillars. I have marks on mine that won't come off....

same here, i think they're fingernail marks from when we close the doors... wish there was a way to condition/fix that...

Website · Postby **Shadowden** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 9:14

geo2maz wrote:same here, i think they're fingernail marks from when we close the doors... wish there was a way to condition/fix that...

I tried a few different things and didn't find anything. The replacement parts are fairly expensive.

geo2maz · Postby **geo2maz** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 9:14

Shadowden wrote:I tried a few different things and didn't find anything. The replacement parts are fairly expensive.

cool, do they come pre-cut to fit or do you have to cut them yourself? I've worked with vinyl a lot so either way it shouldn't be hard...

Website · Postby **Shadowden** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 9:14

I had Jazz It Up in Centennial do mine. They did all my tint and vinyl.

Website · Postby **Shadowden** » Sun Dec 11, 2011 9:14

Installed Koni yellows on the rear, replaced worn rotors with Centric premiums, painted claipers with g2 (red), and replaced pads with Hawk HPS.

Things went pretty well. Learned a lot about the car (and brakes in general). I think the Mazda 3 brakes throw every alternative at you possible.

Now, for a question: I don't feel like my brakes are powerful enough. After bleeding the brake system, I took the car for a spin. Tried a couple of very haqrd stops from 40 mph and I could not get the brakes to lock up. It seems like I should be able to skid, but I cannot. Its not like I'm going to drive aroundand skid like a little kid on a bike, but it seems like something isn't quite right. The fluid I poushed out was pretty dirty and i did notice some fairly good sized black particles (good size, as in visible to the naked eye, far <1mm). Thinking deteriorating lines, but it is a 2005. Caliper rebuild?

SecondGenPAt · Postby **SecondGenPAt** » Sun Dec 11, 2011 9:14

the brakes have probably never been bled, or haven't been bled in a while, thus the particles. You may want to try a search for any tsb's about premature brake component failure however, or contact a local Mazda Dealer. Safety is something all automakers take seriously due to possible lawsuits.

If you know you bled the brakes properly, without introducing air, then you may need to re-bed the pads.
http://www.zeckhausen.com/bedding_in_brakes.htm

RichB · Postby **RichB** » Mon Dec 12, 2011 9:14

Sounds like your pads haven't been bedded yet....

Postby **RX-7 Chris** » Mon Dec 12, 2011 9:14

RichB wrote:Sounds like your pads haven't been bedded yet....

That was my thought.

Call my Ryan and I can go over how to do this.

Postby **RX-7 Chris** » Mon Dec 12, 2011 9:14

this will help: http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/tech/techpage.jsp?techid=85

Website · Postby **Shadowden** » Mon Dec 12, 2011 9:14

I think you guys hit it on the head with bedding. I didn't do that. I didn't hit my rotors with brake cleaner either. I'm sure I have that burned off now, but will need to try the bedding. I have no squeal, and the brakes seemed stronger when I finsihed my commute this morning.

geo2maz · Postby **geo2maz** » Mon Dec 12, 2011 9:14

didn't know about bedding till this post, i doubt Just Brakes did this when they put my rot/pads on, brakes feel kinda weak, may try this too

Website · Postby **Shadowden** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 9:14

I have tried bedding. The car slows down pretty quickly from 60, but i cannot get the tires to skid. Tires too grippy (as if there was such a thing).

My rotors now have a brownish hue to them, and i have wiped brake dust off the wheels and calipers. I have tried bedding a few times, but cannot get 5 consecutive 60-15 start/stops.

update:
Got the tires to lock up, still want more power. Going to do stainless brake lines (http://www.andysautosport.com/mazda/2004_2009_3/brakes/brake_lines/goodridge/) and add speed bleeders (rear brakes part#SB1010s; Front Brakes Part#8100 (they are sending me them to try)).

A thorough brake fluid flush seems in order.

Website · Postby **Shadowden** » Thu Feb 09, 2012 9:14

NRG 1.1 lb heavy weight shift knob (universal fit)
+
custom fabricated aluminum adapter ring to make it a thread on shift knob.

This was just made today and I haven't decided what color to have the base powder coated (or me paint).

It is either going to be clear coated (though the other bits nearby are "chrome"), painted Gunmetal (Depends on if I end up with gunmetal wheels), black or red.

Edit: I ended up clear coating the adapter piece, so it is just machined aluminum. Will need to do something about the fake chrome bits on my CF ebrake handle so there aren't two metal colors in there. Will probably try to paint them, but I don't have much confidence that the paint will adhere to it.

Postby **RX-7 Chris** » Thu Feb 09, 2012 9:14

I would say clear or black.

Website · Postby **Shadowden** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 9:14

http://www.carbon-fiber.us/

Just sticking this here for future use. Looks to have some great prices on CF material and fiberglass, as well as the resins and gel coats.

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