So went to SATimko’s and removed my rear wiper. Took lots of pics and even found the perfect fit for the hole! So I will have that up here in the next few days so be on the look out for it!

-Krystm

Just received a set of shifter bushings from Mazda3Mods.com to review. I also took the opportunity to write a tutorial for installing them as it is kind of what I do.

In other news – the Louisville meet has been canceled so big install party at SATimko’s on Sat! Might get some pics posted, supposed to rain though. /sigh

-Krystm

Product: Shifter Bushings

What: Replaces the stock rubber bushings with solid bushings.

Reason: The reason people would want to do this is for a more solid feel when shifting. I will be the first to admit that I never really saw a reason for these. I didn’t think that they made that much of a difference. Well, boy was I wrong and I wish I would have gotten these sooner.

Install Guide: Krystm’s Install Guide For Shifter Bushings

Review: First lets start off with some product images:

Comparisons between the stock rubber ones and the new bushings:

I received these about 3 days after I was told they were shipped. They came in a small box and packed nicely. I received the 4 bushings and 4 washers which is everything I needed. The quality on these are outstanding. No fitting issues or anything. Everything was a perfect fit. The lip for the guide of the shifter plate, the washers everything was strait on.

After being installed I could really feel a difference. The best way to describe it would be that with the stock bushings you could feel the shifter give a little at the full extension of each gear. When you install it before removing the bolts see for yourself how much the plate moves by pushing into gear. All the “mushy / softness” disappears when the new bushings go in. The shifts are solid now, there is very little to no give. For such a small upgrade the difference is very noticeable.

I would highly recommend that anyone that hasn’t done this mod definitely should as the difference is incredible. It may not make your shifter smaller or throws shorter but you can definitely feel how much more precise your shifts are.

Overall score: 9.5 / 10
Quality is great and the difference is immediate.
Price is well worth the difference you will feel.
Shipping was fast.

Tools Required:

10 mm Socket with Extension

Small Flat Head Screwdriver

Difficulty: 4 / 10

Time Required: 20-30 Min

Install:

This install is pretty strait forward. Just gain access to the bolts that mount the shifter to the car, remove them, remove the current rubber bushings, replace with new bushings, bolt back down and replace plastics. I did this install without removing all the plastic and without undoing the linkage. You can do this to make your life much easier and save yourself frustration but I do not have that documented so you would have to do that on your own.

The Bushings – Made By Mazda3Mods.com

To start we need to gain access to the shifter base. To do this start by making sure there is nothing in your cup holders and then open the center console. At the edge lift up to remove that section of plastic.

To remove the plastic around the shifter start by unscrewing the shifter knob. Once done the piece will lift strait out.

You now have access to the 4 bolts that hold down the shifter base. Use the 10 mm socket to remove the 4 bolts.

To remove the stock bushings pry out the metal inserts with a flat head screwdriver. Once out you can peal out the rubber insert as well.

Here are some comparison shots after I removed all the bushings.

Now for the fun part installing the new bushings. Being that these do not snap in place the best way to do it that I found was get the bushing in place put the washer on top and start the bolt into the hole. NOTICE: The shifter plate has 2 guide pins that fit in the hole these MUST be in place before tightening the bolts all the way. They are in the center of the plate one in the front and one in the rear as shown here.

Once you have started all 4 bolts make sure the guide pins are in place and tighten them down. Once they are all tightened down you can re-install your plastics and shift knob and your ready to drive!

Krystm’s Garage and it’s affiliates are not responsible for any damage or problems that may come from doing things incorrectly these are only guides. However if you follow these guides and are careful there should be no problems. Just take your time and follow the guides.

Mazda3Mods.com has decided to sponsor Krystm’s Garage! This will allow for more installs and I will be starting to review products sent to me for my car! New Item coming this week! Stay tuned for new links and the check out the review! Review coming soon!

Also yesterday got Lolla re-tinted so here are some pics of her here:




-Krystm

Well just wanted to check in for everyone. I did get the rims on and they look great however there are too many colors in play right now so I am removing all the conflicting colors. Pics will be posted soon of all that. Main things will be calipers from red to black, tinting the rear reflectors, chrome dipped rear turn signals and re doing the center caps.

Other then that I am still searching for my old pics for those other tutorials. The meet this weekend has been canceled so the next one that I will be going to is Louisville and it’s gonna be a blast!

-Krystm