Front Suspension System: Removal & Installation Mazda 3 BM

FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER AND COIL SPRING REMOVAL/INSTALLATION

1. Remove the windshield wiper arm and blade. (See «WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM AND BLADE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION»(ref-579338-S36386448362013100700000) .)
2. Remove the cowl grille. (See «COWL GRILLE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION»(ref-579341-S02671303742013100700000) .)
3. Remove in the order indicated in the table.
4. Install in the reverse order of removal.
5. Inspect the wheel alignment. (See «FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT»(ref-579354-S22674566482013100700000) .)

Exploded View Of Front Shock Absorber And Coil Spring With Torque Specifications. Scheme 4

Scheme 5

1. Remove the front shock absorber lower bolt.
2. Tap the top of the steering knuckle with a hammer and release the shock absorber from the wheel hub and steering component. (Scheme 5): Tapping Top Of Steering Knuckle Using Hammer CAUTION: When removing the steering knuckle by lightly tapping, the steering knuckle could fall and cause injury, or damage the part. When performing the removal, support the bottom of the steering knuckle with a jack.
3. Remove the front shock absorber upper bolt and remove the front shock absorber and coil spring from the vehicle.

Scheme 6

Scheme 7

1. Temporarily tighten the front shock absorber upper bolt.
2. Align the steering knuckle notch with projection A on the lower side of the shock absorber. (Scheme 6): Identifying Steering Knuckle Notch And Projection A
3. Press up the steering knuckle component using a jack until the steering knuckle contacts the lower end of the front shock absorber bracket, and tighten the shock absorber lower bolt. (Scheme 7): Identifying Front Shock Absorber Bracket
4. Tighten the front shock absorber upper bolt.

Piston Rod Nut Removal Note

Scheme 8

Scheme 9

1. Install the shock absorber and coil spring to the SST according to the following procedures. NOTE: Install the SST using a piece of clean rag to prevent the coil spring from being scratched. Set the SST attachments (tabs) to the positions shown in the figure. (Scheme 8): Identifying SST Attachments Positions Install the front shock absorber and coil spring to the SST so that the coil spring is set to the position shown in the figure. (Scheme 9): Properly Mounting Coil Spring In Compressor
2. Compress the coil spring using the SST.
3. Remove the piston rod nut.

Scheme 10

1. Compress the coil spring using the SST. (Scheme 10): Compressing Coil Spring Using SST
2. Install the shock absorber so that the lower end of the coil spring is seated on the step of the lower spring seat.

Scheme 11

1. Install the dust boot by hooking the bottom edge over the shock absorber lip. (Scheme 11): Front Shock Absorber Lip And Dust Boot

Scheme 12

Scheme 13

1. Install the bearing by hooking the upper end of the dust boot to the bearing lip. (Scheme 12): Bearing Lip And Dust Boot
2. Align the projection A on the lower part of the shock absorber with the bearing projection B. (Scheme 13): Projection A On Lower Part Of Shock Absorber And Bearing Projection B

FRONT LOWER ARM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION

1. Remove in the order indicated in the table.
2. Install in the reverse order of removal.
3. Inspect the wheel alignment and adjust it if necessary. (See «FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT»(ref-579354-S22674566482013100700000) .)

Exploded View Of Front Lower Arm With Torque Specifications. Scheme 14

Front Lower Arm Removal Note (MZR 2.0 (RH))

Note. When working on the right side of vehicles with MZR 2.0, move the A/C compressor protector so that the A/C compressor protector does not interfere with the removal of the front lower arm front side bolt.

Scheme 15

1. Remove the A/C compressor protector. (Scheme 15): Identifying A/C Compressor Protector
2. Remove the front lower arm.

Scheme 16

Scheme 17

1. Install the front lower arm to the front crossmember and temporarily tighten the installation bolts.
2. Completely tighten the bolts on the rear side of the front lower arm in the following order. Temporarily tighten bolts A and B shown in the figure. Tighten bolt A. Tighten bolt B. Tighten bolt A. (Scheme 16): Identifying Front Lower Arm Bolts
3. Install the A/C compressor protector. (Scheme 17): A/C Compressor Protector And Nuts With Torque Specifications

Front Lower Arm Ball Joint Installation Note

Note. The bolt insertion direction can be either front or rear of the vehicle, however, keep the insertion direction the same on both the left and right sides of the vehicle.

Scheme 18

1. Remove the front lower arm from the vehicle. (See «FRONT LOWER ARM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION»(ref-579368-S08183683412013100700000).)
2. Inspect the arm for bending or damage, and the ball joint for excessive looseness. If there is any malfunction, replace the front lower arm.
3. Rotate the ball joint stud 5 times. Install the SST to the ball joint stud, measure the rotational torque using a pull scale. (Scheme 18): Measuring Ball Joint Rotational Torque Using Pull Scale If not within the specification, replace the front lower arm. Front lower arm ball joint rotational torque 1.0-4.9 N.m {11-49 kgf.cm, 9-43 in.lbf} Pull scale reading [10-49 N {1.1-4.9 kgf, 3-10 lbf}]

FRONT STABILIZER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [MZR 2.0, SKYACTIV-G 2.0, MZR 2.5]

1. Remove the joint cover. (See «STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [WITHOUT ADVANCED KEYLESS ENTRY AND PUSH BUTTON START SYSTEM]»(ref-579349-S31871586872013100700000) .) (See «STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [WITH ADVANCED KEYLESS ENTRY AND PUSH BUTTON START SYSTEM]»(ref-579349-S03087325462013100700000) .)
2. Disconnect the steering shaft from the steering gear and linkage. (See «STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [WITHOUT ADVANCED KEYLESS ENTRY AND PUSH BUTTON START SYSTEM]»(ref-579349-S31871586872013100700000) .) (See «STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [WITH ADVANCED KEYLESS ENTRY AND PUSH BUTTON START SYSTEM]»(ref-579349-S03087325462013100700000) .)
3. Remove the front crossmember component. (See «FRONT CROSSMEMBER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION»(ref-579368-S34953894052013100700000) .)
4. Remove in the order indicated in the table.
5. Install in the reverse order of removal.
6. Inspect the wheel alignment and adjust it if necessary. (See «FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT»(ref-579354-S22674566482013100700000) .)

Exploded View Of Front Stabilizer (MZR 2.0, SKYACTIV-G 2.0, MZR 2.5) With Torque Specifications. Scheme 19

Scheme 20

1. Secure the front stabilizer bracket flange using a vise. (Scheme 20): Securing Front Stabilizer Bracket Flange Using Vise
2. Remove the front stabilizer.

Scheme 21

Scheme 22

Scheme 23

1. Install the front stabilizer bushing so that the projection points to the right side of the vehicle. (Scheme 21): Front Stabilizer Bushing Projection
2. Point the direction indicator on the stabilizer bracket inward and install front stabilizer bracket using a vise. (Scheme 22): Identifying Direction Indicator On Stabilizer Bracket
3. Temporarily install the front stabilizer component.
4. Tighten the bolts following order. Temporarily tighten bolts A and B shown in the figure. Tighten bolt A. Tighten bolt B. Tighten bolt A. (Scheme 23): Identifying Stabilizer Bracket Bolts

FRONT STABILIZER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [MZR 2.3 DISI Turbo]

1. Remove the joint cover. (See «STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [WITHOUT ADVANCED KEYLESS ENTRY AND PUSH BUTTON START SYSTEM]»(ref-579349-S31871586872013100700000) .) (See «STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [WITH ADVANCED KEYLESS ENTRY AND PUSH BUTTON START SYSTEM]»(ref-579349-S03087325462013100700000) .)
2. Disconnect the steering shaft from the steering gear and linkage. (See «STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [WITHOUT ADVANCED KEYLESS ENTRY AND PUSH BUTTON START SYSTEM]»(ref-579349-S31871586872013100700000) .) (See «STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [WITH ADVANCED KEYLESS ENTRY AND PUSH BUTTON START SYSTEM]»(ref-579349-S03087325462013100700000) .)
3. Remove the front crossmember component. (See «FRONT CROSSMEMBER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION»(ref-579368-S34953894052013100700000) .)
4. Remove in the order indicated in the table.
5. Install in the reverse order of removal.
6. Inspect the wheel alignment and adjust it if necessary. (See «FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT»(ref-579354-S22674566482013100700000) .)

Exploded View Of Front Stabilizer (MZR 2.3 DISI Turbo) With Torque Specifications. Scheme 24

Front Stabilizer, Front Stabilizer Bushing and Front Stabilizer Bracket Installation Note

Scheme 25

1. Temporarily tighten bolts A and B shown in the figure.
2. Tighten bolt A.
3. Tighten bolt B.
4. Tighten bolt A. (Scheme 25): Identifying Front Stabilizer Bracket Bolts

Scheme 26

1. Remove the front stabilizer control link from the vehicle. (See «FRONT STABILIZER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [MZR 2.0, SKYACTIV-G 2.0, MZR 2.5]»(ref-579368-S06991862252013100700000).) (See «FRONT STABILIZER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [MZR 2.3 DISI TURBO]»(ref-579368-S06157839012013100700000)
2. Inspect for bending or damage. If there is any malfunction, replace the stabilizer control link.
3. Rotate the ball joint stud 10 times and shake it side to side 10 times.
4. Measure the ball joint rotational torque using an Allen wrench and a torque wrench. (Scheme 26): Measuring Ball Joint Rotational Torque Using Allen Wrench And Torque Wrench Front stabilizer control link ball joint rotational torque 0.2-0.9 N.m {3-9 kgf.cm, 2-7 in.lbf} If not within the specification, replace the front stabilizer control link.

FRONT CROSSMEMBER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION

1. Remove the joint cover. (See «STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [WITHOUT ADVANCED KEYLESS ENTRY AND PUSH BUTTON START SYSTEM]»(ref-579349-S31871586872013100700000) .) (See «STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [WITH ADVANCED KEYLESS ENTRY AND PUSH BUTTON START SYSTEM]»(ref-579349-S03087325462013100700000) .)
2. Disconnect the steering shaft from the steering gear and linkage. (See «STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [WITHOUT ADVANCED KEYLESS ENTRY AND PUSH BUTTON START SYSTEM]»(ref-579349-S31871586872013100700000) .) (See «STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [WITH ADVANCED KEYLESS ENTRY AND PUSH BUTTON START SYSTEM]»(ref-579349-S03087325462013100700000) .)
3. Remove in the order indicated in the table.
4. Install in the reverse order of removal.
5. Inspect the wheel alignment and adjust it if necessary. (See «FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT»(ref-579354-S22674566482013100700000) .)

Exploded View Of Front Suspension With Torque Specifications. Scheme 27

Scheme 28

1. Detach the tie-rod end from the steering knuckle using the SST. (Scheme 28): Removing Tie-Rod End From Steering Knuckle Using SST

Scheme 29

1. Disconnect the wiring harness connecting to the front crossmember bracket. (Scheme 29): Locating Wiring Harness At Front Crossmember Bracket

Front Crossmember Component Removal Note

Scheme 30

Scheme 31

1. Support the front crossmember component using a jack. (Scheme 30): Supporting Front Crossmember Using Jack
2. Detach the rubber hangers from the front crossmember. (Scheme 31): Locating Rubber Hangers On Front Crossmember
3. Remove the front crossmember, front stabilizer, front lower arm, and steering gear and linkage as a single unit.

Scheme 32

Scheme 33

Scheme 34

1. Verify the left and right identification marks and install the positioning SSTs to the front crossmember. (Scheme 32): Locating Identifications Marks On SSTs NOTE: Verify the identification marks before installation because the left and right parts of the SSTs have different shapes.
2. Temporarily tighten the No.1 engine mount rubber to the front crossmember.
3. Raise the transmission jack gradually and install the front crossmember to the vehicle. At this point verify that the SSTs is securely inserted in the positioning holes on the body. (Scheme 33): SSTs And Front Crossmember WARNING: The front crossmember component could fall and cause serious injury or death. Verify that the jack securely supports the front crossmember component.
4. Tighten the front crossmember installation bolts and nuts.
5. Tighten the bolts in the order shown in the figure. (Scheme 34): Tightening Sequence Of Front Crossmember Bolts CAUTION: Tighten the bolts in the order shown in the figure to prevent abnormal noise and vibration after assembly. Tighten the bolts while being careful of their length to prevent interference between the steering gear housing and bolt. Tightening torque 73-90 N.m {7.5-9.1 kgf.m, 54-66 ft.lbf} Bolt stem length Front crossmember side: 62 mm {2.4 in} No.1 engine mount bracket side: 65 mm {2.6 in}

Note. The bolt insertion direction can be either front or rear of the vehicle, however, keep the insertion direction the same on both the left and right sides of the vehicle.