Dang Bumper Tabs! Again?!? Permanent Solution Time

Discussion in 'Mazdaspeed 3/6 Appearance' started by Redline, Mar 7, 2016.

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  1. Redline

    Redline I done fucked up for the last time. BANNED Greenie Member

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    TL;DR This kit is a high price to pay for what ended up requiring a lot of customization to make it work. It's still not completely fine-tuned yet.

    I know it's been two long months, but I finally got the chance to coordinate this install over at my brother's house yesterday. I have the sunburn and torn-up hands that go with the territory. I sure most of us modders can relate to this, LOL.

    First things first: There were no formal instructions with this kit. It seems geared primarily toward DIY'ers who are accustomed to doing a lot of customization on the install to make everything work. I only had a few pics from Move Over Racing to go by on this install. I had email correspondence back and forth from them to get the pics/basic description. For the studs' hardware to have sufficient clearance on the side nearest the back with the hardware provided, I had to mount the passenger's side bracket on the driver's side upside-down:
    upload_2016-5-29_14-8-23.png
    As you can see in this pic, doing this brought the studs down low enough that the fender behind the bracket didn't present a clearance issue for the stud hardware. But I wanted to use the correct bracket on each side, so what I ended up doing is drilling new stud mounting holes. I didn't take a pic of this, but imagine the studs in this pic mounted about an inch higher on the bracket, then the whole bracket turned upside-down and put on the passenger's side, where it was intended. A better fix would be to use extra washers as spacers on the right black bolt in this picture (the bolt closest to back side of the Speed). I was supplied 3 washers for each of these locations (so 6 total). If I did it again, I'd use 5 or 6 instead washers for EACH of these bolts (so 12 total). That would've given sufficient clearance and not required drilling new holes, but my car was apart and I didn't have the opportunity to get extra hardware. I had to think on my feet.

    For locating the studs, I used sticky tack and coated the stud tips with tire shine so that they didn't stick:
    upload_2016-5-29_14-22-47.png

    I was very meticulous about drilling/mounting location, but this is precision work. Here is the passenger side upon first mounting:
    upload_2016-5-29_14-24-25.png

    To fix the gap, I put a deep socket over each mounting stud and twisted the left stud down a tad and the right stud upwards. This is how the passenger's side ended up, after driving home:
    upload_2016-5-29_14-28-3.png

    Ironically, my driver's side looked about perfect, initially....
    upload_2016-5-29_14-29-31.png

    But this is what happened after the drive home:
    upload_2016-5-29_14-30-42.png
    So, I'll have to get back in there and do some stud twisting to get everything re-aligned.

    The reasons for the shifting are twofold:
    1) My initial check of alignment was done without having bolted the whole bumper back in place, both topside, and bottom side. The bumper distorts/bends some after everything is bolted in. Basically, the bumper is being pulled downward. which makes the front gap want to expand, and the back gap want to contract. This was oversight on my part. Hey, you live and you learn.
    2) Wind, especially when driving on the highway (and most especially when doing 4th gear logging up to redline). This pulls the bumper down/back too, which does the same thing with the gaps that I mentioned above.

    In summary, I do like the fact that the brackets make everything easier, but I definitely feel like the kit was overpriced in light of the customization required. And some of the customization could've been avoided if additional hardware were provided, and specific instructions with lots of pictures. I have a feeling that if I didn't have to do the drilling to move the stud mounting locations downwards for clearance, that the flexing/movement I'm getting after bolting the bumper in place would be lessened.

    If you go with this kit, do yourself a favor and have lots of thick SS washers on hand to move the bracket out far enough so you'll be able to have sufficient clearance behind the brackets to lock the stud nuts in their originally intended place. Like I said, I'd probably use 3 thick washers on the frontside, and 6 on the back side.
     
    Last edited: May 29, 2016
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  2. Raider

    Raider Administraider Administrator Platinum Member

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    That is assballs. For the $, that shit should have bolted right up and came with some sort of install info.


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    Raider, via a mobile device, May 30, 2016
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  3. VTMongoose

    VTMongoose John/MD1032 Greenie Member

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    Damn, that blows. Seems like someone should be able to make a bracket for half the price that at least fits properly.
     
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  4. Darthxar

    Darthxar Greenie Member

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    I agree, and my car only has 48k on it, no FMIC and still has bumper sag. We need a proper solution for the Pu.

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    Darthxar, via a mobile device, May 30, 2016
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  5. Raider

    Raider Administraider Administrator Platinum Member

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    It's like they did not even try. Their email communication is apathetic and pretty lame so guess RaiderFab may need to make a fix.


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    Raider, via a mobile device, May 30, 2016
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  6. Faeker

    Faeker Greenie Member

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    I was gonna try and fab up a fitment kit but SOMEBODY never sent me pics
     
    Faeker, via a mobile device, May 30, 2016
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  7. Redline

    Redline I done fucked up for the last time. BANNED Greenie Member

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    Sorry, man, I had such a hectic schedule these last few months and had to keep pushing the install that I completely forgot. I'll make sure to take some more detailed shots when I get back in there to adjust things.

    In the end, this solution may give me exactly what I'm looking for. I'm just not there yet. Fiddling needs to occur. The passenger side needs moved forward/up toward the headlight so the wheel arch matches, and the driver's side front stud needs moved up for a parallel gap.

    And I agree that it shouldn't take so long, require as much adjustment and guesswork due to the lack of comprehensive directions.
     
  8. Redline

    Redline I done fucked up for the last time. BANNED Greenie Member

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    Alright, @Faeker , sorry about the forgetfulness. I've just been super busy. Hopefully these will be helpful to you. I'm STILL trying to get everything all lined up, looking good, and staying immobilized even if I drive aggressively. The whole thing is like a dang 3-dimensional puzzle: adjust one thing here, and 3 or 4 other things move. Argh. Anyways, enough whining.
     
    Last edited: Aug 11, 2016
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  9. Faeker

    Faeker Greenie Member

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    wow. they charged a premium for that? that's crazy.
     
  10. CmdrShepard

    CmdrShepard Greenie Member

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    That's all of the "kit"?

    Sent from my Nexus 6P
     
    CmdrShepard, via a mobile device, Jun 7, 2016
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  11. Enki

    Enki Motorhead Platinum Member

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    And this was how much?
     
  12. Redline

    Redline I done fucked up for the last time. BANNED Greenie Member

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    Indeed. And with how things went, I have no qualms at all providing you with those detailed pics ;)
    Two bumper brackets, 4 latches, and all of the hardware.
    With the options I chose (black anodized latches) and shipping from Canada, it was ~$230. SMH. Buyer beware, eh?
    Honestly, if it was an out-of-the box solution that was simple bolt-in and required very little adjustment, I'd have been okay with it because I was looking at the alternative of buying/painting a new bumper skin, which would've been $$$. And mistakes were made on my part by not ensuring I had all of the necessary hardware on hand. I assumed that enough washers were included, so that's partially my responsibility. They definitely should've included EXTRA hardware, if anything; not fewer pieces than I needed...

    Also, if I installed a kit again, it'd go much better, especially locating the pilot holes, etc., with the practical experience I have now. I'm pretty sure if I did a second installation it'd wind-up perfect. But my bumper is drilled. No going back now.

    Oh well, you live and you learn...
     
    Last edited: Jun 7, 2016
  13. Raider

    Raider Administraider Administrator Platinum Member

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  14. Redline

    Redline I done fucked up for the last time. BANNED Greenie Member

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    I'm super glad that my experience and others' previous attempts to address similar bumper problems has culminated in our community members stepping up to the plate and getting an awesome solution going, even if I only played a very small role with my install fails (showing what NOT to do, LOL) and ruling out an alternative bumper latch kit. Special props to @Raider and @Maisonvi for spearheading and facilitating this. And it's awesome that the proceeds will be sown back into our community.
     
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  15. Raider

    Raider Administraider Administrator Platinum Member

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    I do want to make a solution for GenPu. I think a couple options. 1) screwed into OEM bracket. 2) use a hole in the metal if possible and use that to anchor the stud. I just need access to a Pu bumper area.
     
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  16. Redline

    Redline I done fucked up for the last time. BANNED Greenie Member

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    I'd be first on the list to purchase one, LOL. Problem is, my bumper is already drilled, so it's pretty much over for me. Getting/painting a new bumper skin to start over is a cost I cannot justify.
     
  17. Raider

    Raider Administraider Administrator Platinum Member

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    Oh I know. The MS6 fix is an easy/free one because of how the bracket is mounted and a hole to connect the latch to. If we can do that for GenPu, a simple how-to, and people can order the latch kits and save the $200+.
     
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  18. monkey.bones.007

    monkey.bones.007 Chuckin' sausage like a hooker rubs dick Silver Member

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    Doesn't at @neganox pu?

    tapatalk, it sucks
     
    monkey.bones.007, via a mobile device, Jun 16, 2016
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  19. Raider

    Raider Administraider Administrator Platinum Member

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    Not sure he wants bumper holes.
     
  20. monkey.bones.007

    monkey.bones.007 Chuckin' sausage like a hooker rubs dick Silver Member

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    Don't ask him what he wants, just force him to do it.

    tapatalk, it sucks
     
    monkey.bones.007, via a mobile device, Jun 16, 2016
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