I'm going to be replacing the front swaybar links and tie rod ends on my 2006 Mazda 3 (with 190K miles). Is it okay to reuse the existing nuts when I replace them? I see that some after market parts come with new nuts. But the Mazda parts from the dealer don't, which is what I'm using. Amazingly Mazda wants $5-$7 for a single nut.
Should I replace the nuts, when replacing swaybar links and tie rod ends?
- Thread starter cb474
- Start date
Whenever I sell the links I usually quote the nuts also. Ford is big on one time use parts and not re-using them. Don't sell a lot of tie rod ends on Mazda, but sell a bunch of endlinks on 3s and 5s.
Thanks. The parts guy at Mazda told me usually people reuse the nuts, if they're not damaged. For whatever that's worth. Maybe I shouldn't be cheap and just get the nuts, but I'm also wondering if I'm worrying about something that doesn't matter.
Thanks.
I think they are Nylock which aren't supposed to be reused anyway.
I don't think any of the original Mazda nuts for these parts are nylock.
+1 on thread lock.
Which level of strength?
19 year old suspension hardware... 100% replace as part of the R&R (I would be shocked if corrosion does not rended them un-reusable after the first "R")
I’m surprised that the new links don’t come with new nuts.
That said, if you’re in the rust belt, well, yeah, I would replace them.
IF you’re in a place where they don’t rust, then perhaps, chase the threads, add a bit of thread lock, and send it.
That said, if you’re in the rust belt, well, yeah, I would replace them.
IF you’re in a place where they don’t rust, then perhaps, chase the threads, add a bit of thread lock, and send it.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
I personally use new, but if they are steel, you can reuse them.
I'm not surprised about the end links - my FWD Mazdas (2001 Protege and 2009 Mazda5) have been hard on them.
Are the newer Mazdas (CX-5, etc.) easier on end links?
If the Mazda is a keeper, spend the money and buy new nuts
Not as much. But not unheard of.
Mazda seems to often be weird that way. Their parts are also a lot more expensive generally than Toyota or Honda. I read that a lot of their parts are manufactured in Japan and they don't have much production in the U.S. and Mexico, so perhaps that explains why.
I live in an arid moderate climate. Rust is not an issue. I am keeping the car though so maybe I'll just order the nuts. People here seem to have mixed opinions.
The tie rod ends I'm replacing on my Mazda 3 are the original parts. So they lasted 190K miles. That seems pretty good. But I don't drive the car very hard.
I was rotating the tires. This is what the nuts on the swaybar links and tie rod end look like. There's almost zero rust on them. I also saw that in the Mazda shop manual they label which parts shoud be replaced when working on something and they do not indicate to replace these bolts. So I think I'm good.
