n00b here with 1st post.
thought I'd post up this how to for those who may need info on this.
so went out and installed megan's rear lateral links. everything was straight forward. i decided to remove to remove the entire subframe, rear sway, all lateral links and gt spec panel all as one unit. this worked out great since its incredibly easy to drop these subframes.
it only took about 2 hours and we were eating pizza and having a few as well. lol
I took pics so I could do a quick write up in case anyone needs the info for whatever reason.
this was done on a 2002 mazda protege 5 with the gt spec rear panel and v-brace. if you dont have the v-brace, then disregard any instructions referring to that part.
tools i used:
floor jack
jack stands
17mm 1/2 socket
21mm 1/2 socket
12mm 3/8 socket
14mm 3/8 socket
various extensions depending on actual set up
rubber mallet
wd-40
the night before i w'd this nut real good on both sides of the car.
using a 17mm socket on this nut, and a 21mm socket on the opposite nut, remove the 17mm nut/washer and set aside.
drive the long bolt out using a rubber mallet and a 1/4 drive extension.
if you dont have the gt spec panel, skip these steps.
remove the lower v-brace bolts from the panel.
next, remove the sway bar attachments. in my case its attached using an end link. remove yours accordingly. then, just loosen do NOT remove the 4 subframe mounting bolts using a 14mm socket with an extension.
i could not get pics of this step because the bolts are located up in the subframe in the center. but when you are under the car you car see them. there are 2 12mm bolts up there that need to be removed as well. sorry i didnt get a pic of that.
remove the exhaust hanger from the subframe to the muffler then place a jack under subframe and now remove the 4 subframe bolts. its good to have a helper at this point to help lower the subframe safely.
then wheel out the assembly.
where did everything go? lol
now it will be a lot easier to remove/install the new links.
removing/installing these links at this point is self explanatory.
remove old front/rear links, install new front/rear links. same as rear/rear links.
if you have the gt spec panel, its easier to just remove it.
also, remember which way the cam washers go went in and get them as close as you can to where they were before. they will be located on the rear/rear links.
once everything is all bolted back up, load it all back up the the jack, and reinstall. the way I reinstalled it was have a buddy install loosely one 14mm subframe bolt on one side while I did the other. then, install the 2 center subframe bolts, sway bar end links etc.
then, its all finished! go get an alignment to your desired specs and enjoy.
Megan Lateral Link Install pictures by ogsk8er - Photobucket
hope this helps!
thought I'd post up this how to for those who may need info on this.
so went out and installed megan's rear lateral links. everything was straight forward. i decided to remove to remove the entire subframe, rear sway, all lateral links and gt spec panel all as one unit. this worked out great since its incredibly easy to drop these subframes.
it only took about 2 hours and we were eating pizza and having a few as well. lol
I took pics so I could do a quick write up in case anyone needs the info for whatever reason.
this was done on a 2002 mazda protege 5 with the gt spec rear panel and v-brace. if you dont have the v-brace, then disregard any instructions referring to that part.
tools i used:
floor jack
jack stands
17mm 1/2 socket
21mm 1/2 socket
12mm 3/8 socket
14mm 3/8 socket
various extensions depending on actual set up
rubber mallet
wd-40
the night before i w'd this nut real good on both sides of the car.
using a 17mm socket on this nut, and a 21mm socket on the opposite nut, remove the 17mm nut/washer and set aside.
drive the long bolt out using a rubber mallet and a 1/4 drive extension.
if you dont have the gt spec panel, skip these steps.
remove the lower v-brace bolts from the panel.
next, remove the sway bar attachments. in my case its attached using an end link. remove yours accordingly. then, just loosen do NOT remove the 4 subframe mounting bolts using a 14mm socket with an extension.
i could not get pics of this step because the bolts are located up in the subframe in the center. but when you are under the car you car see them. there are 2 12mm bolts up there that need to be removed as well. sorry i didnt get a pic of that.
remove the exhaust hanger from the subframe to the muffler then place a jack under subframe and now remove the 4 subframe bolts. its good to have a helper at this point to help lower the subframe safely.
then wheel out the assembly.
where did everything go? lol
now it will be a lot easier to remove/install the new links.
removing/installing these links at this point is self explanatory.
remove old front/rear links, install new front/rear links. same as rear/rear links.
if you have the gt spec panel, its easier to just remove it.
also, remember which way the cam washers go went in and get them as close as you can to where they were before. they will be located on the rear/rear links.
once everything is all bolted back up, load it all back up the the jack, and reinstall. the way I reinstalled it was have a buddy install loosely one 14mm subframe bolt on one side while I did the other. then, install the 2 center subframe bolts, sway bar end links etc.
then, its all finished! go get an alignment to your desired specs and enjoy.
Megan Lateral Link Install pictures by ogsk8er - Photobucket
hope this helps!
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