MX-3.com

haha.. i just moved from Tucson, and before i left. I snagged the rear interior from this GS

Perfect. And when I was there I "thought" about taking the fuel tank and straps but figured - NAH....won't be an issue. Turns out we wouldn't have had room in the truck for the tank anyway.

So we get the new disty on and the car runs perfect. Got enough courage to drive it the gas station and put some badly needed 93 in it for the first time in years, I am sure.

Drive out of the station leaving a gorgeous trail of 93 octane fluid. DAMN IT - the tank is rusted.

We are good if the tank is < 5/8 full. Otherwise we leave a trail. Should have picked up the one in Phoenix when we grabbed the rear suspension.

Things to do (updated 5/18/2013):

1) Change oil - DONE 5/15/2013
2) Change gear lube
3) Replace fuel tank - ordered replacement aftermarket unit - 5/14/2013, tank received 5/18/2013, need to replace straps too. Ordered from stealer on 5/16/2013. Straps delivered.
4) Check all hard lines for rust and replace as needed - rear hard brake lines from front need to be replaced. Ordered from stealer on 5/16/2013 - delivered the evap, supply, and return lines.
5) Switch 77,000 mile rear knuckles/bearings onto Az rear subframe that has 155,000 miles on it (f possible and if it makes sense) - not going to do it - DONE
6) Replace rear suspension assembly with Az one - old one out 5/17/2013
7) Clean - REALLY clean interior - done 5/18/2013 - what a production - carpet and all trim pieces came out of the car!!
8 ) Verify that the car is still subject to stupid mouse belt recall and get it fixed - NOT - as of 5/16/2013 have complete Mazda service history and the recall action is closed. Nothing free on this one. So, DONE.
9) Front brake calipers, pads and rotors - DONE - 5/15/2013
10) Rear brake pads and rotors (on "new" subframe) - complete 5/20/2013.
11) Fully charge A/C (works - just needs a top off)
12) Timing belt/tensioners/crank sensor (have it now anyway) - in our copious free-time

I'll do a before and after shot of the rear suspension swap. Here's before:

.

As predicted, the two brake lines were in bad shape and wouldn't release from the flange. They twisted into a rusted hulk and eventually broke. Will go to the stealer tomorrow and order a whole new fuel/brake bundle. No better way to go unless the Arizona yard can ship 11 foot long tubes.

And a little off topic - a Mazda3 happened to arrive today (the truck - a 2004 King Ranch Crew Cab F-250 Diesel - we brought back from Arizona yesterday carrying #1 son's stuff back home <brag on> after graduating from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with an Aerospace Engineering degree <brag off> will probably be up for sale in the next couple of months):



In the Mazda3, the engine is not seized but will only turn about 30 degrees and stop. An 18 yr old (not mine) bought it with some kind of loan, drove it for 3 months, less than 3,000 miles and modified the engine by turning it into scrap metal - bottom end at least. He also learned today that there is interest on that loan when we went to get the title from the credit union and he found out that he owed $500 more than he thought!!!! He's learning a lot!! I'm REALLY happy he put brand new Continental DSWs all around for it!! Look for that up for sale in about 4-6 weeks. Will post for the "good" KBB price for a 2005 Mazda3 SP23 with 116,xxx miles on it (NOT a MazdaSpeed 3, an SP23 - look it up!!).

<brag on> #2 son will locate and put a good engine in it to help fund his engineering degree <brag off>.

Since both brake lines broke I am going to go to the dealer to get them. Here they are:



They are 45-370A (LR) and 45-360B (RR). Prices from a psuedo-random Mazda on-line dealer, http://www.jimellismazdaparts.com/, indicate:

45360B EA0145360 PIPE RIGHT (R), REAR BRAKE $51.05
45370A EA0145370 PIPE LEFT (LT), REAR (RR) BRAKE $54.70

So this is NOT a bad alternative!!! So it shall be - to the dealer tomorrow!!!

OT but im digging the old school WRX

Shameless plug for the Impreza with a complete version 4 STi swap - (#2's project last spring and summer) - worth a scan:

http://www.rs25.com/forums/f145/t164980 ... -swap.html

A b---- to get out due to the crappy square nuts on the trailing arm bolts, but the rear suspension came out tonight:

ganue wrote:Since both brake lines broke I am going to go to the dealer to get them. Here they are:



They are 45-370A (LR) and 45-360B (RR). Prices from a psuedo-random Mazda on-line dealer, http://www.jimellismazdaparts.com/, indicate:

45360B EA0145360 PIPE RIGHT (R), REAR BRAKE $51.05
45370A EA0145370 PIPE LEFT (LT), REAR (RR) BRAKE $54.70

So this is NOT a bad alternative!!! So it shall be - to the dealer tomorrow!!!

Good job on the picture...

Do you have more partnumbers ? I mean, 45-360B translates into EA0145360
How about the rest of those parts?

Go to the link in my previous post. Some dealers in the US have posted ALL the parts prints - you just have to "drill" down into the vehicle, the system, and the parts you want to see.

Fuel tank came about an hour ago!!! Jumped on getting the undercoat on the seams as fast as I could. Should extend the life by a few hours or so!! Was able to use the cardboard packaging to avoid overspray!!!



Waiting for all of the new brake tubes and (now) the fuel lines to rebuild the fuel/brake tube bundle while the rear suspension and fuel tank are off.

Hopefully on the road in a week or so barring more rust findings. Again - weird - the body is still ok but everything underbody EXCEPT the body is nasty. The exhaust looks really good though - has to have been replaced. By the time I'm done most everything I am worried about will have been replaced with new or Arizona parts!! Front suspension is ok.

This is the second car that I have seen that sat outside for years and simply decomposed. Here's the other one:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=78429

Which suspension is from Ohio / NY and which is from Arizona?

And I will be over to take your semi rusty brakes off your hands as I have no brakes at this time in the rear lol

Just need to find a gs master cylinder and good to go!

Can't wait to see the car collection this wed.

Surgeonasst222 wrote:And I will be over to take your semi rusty brakes off your hands as I have no brakes at this time in the rear lol

Just need to find a gs master cylinder and good to go!

Can't wait to see the car collection this wed.

Don't need one.

And well done Ganue, seems like a fair amount of work to get that sucker off. That gas tank looks prime too.

Weird - master cylinders between the 1.6 and 1.8 ARE the same, but the proportioning valves are different. Safety for limit handling.

1.6 = D52843900
1.8 = EA0443900A

Front brakes appear to be the same.

BUT - parking brake cables are different.

@Rob - dis-assembly and rust variables have been eliminated. All that should remain is part arrival and re-assembly.

Tank is ready. Rear suspension is ready. Waiting for fuel lines only. Brake lines are present. After much effort, they fit nicety in the back of a 2013 Focus. Just sayin.....

Protégés gave the four discount setup with the same master Cylinder as the RS. A rear sub frame assembly as well as brake houses and r brake cables should do the trick.