Mid Chassis Brace - Install Issue

[someguy]

Oh my dear friends at @CorkSport; @Spencer@CorkSport; have a little issue with the install of the mid chassis brace. Got it on, easy easy install, went for a drive and felt some extra vibration and then on and off the throttle a little clank....figured the exhaust must be rubbing and sure enough it is:




Tried to call but you're closed for the weekend so might as well post up and hope you catch it before next week. I'm guessing I am going to need a new shorter exhaust hanger to fix this? The brace can't shift far enough away to prevent them from touching. Has this come up before? What was the fix?

In comparison, here's the stock brace (I put it back on until I can sort this out) and mazda was wise enough to leave lots of space for it:



Oh, and what's the torque spec on the 8 bolts? I went with 25ft-lbs but I'd love the proper spec.

[SofaKingAwesome]

@Pu Manchu;

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

[Yousuf]

Shits making clanking noises and stuff because of the rubber hangers? That's weird hmm, you sure it's not a hear shield that coincidentally got a little bent somewhere? That's what happened to me while installing my cbe

[someguy]

Originally Posted by Yousuf Shits making clanking noises and stuff because of the rubber hangers? That's weird hmm, you sure it's not a hear shield that coincidentally got a little bent somewhere? That's what happened to me while installing my cbe

The rubber hanger is transmitting the bit of vibration but the bottom right side of the hanger bracket (second picture) contacts the brace too, and that's metal on metal.

[Yousuf]

That sucks that it ended up fitting that way, I hope they get it sorted out for you man

[SpencerC]

@someguy; First time for everything, and this is the first I've seen this issue. I passed all your order info on to our warranty department and they should be in touch. Out of curiosity, it wouldn't work to slightly bend the exhaust hanger forward would it?

[hnda etr]

Haven't people learned yet... always wait for CS's 2nd version (revision) of a product...

[someguy]

Originally Posted by Spencer@CorkSport @someguy; First time for everything, and this is the first I've seen this issue. I passed all your order info on to our warranty department and they should be in touch. Out of curiosity, it wouldn't work to slightly bend the exhaust hanger forward would it?

Forgot to mention that I'm on the stock catback on a Canadian 2010 MS3.

Bending the exhaust hanger (either car side or exhaust side or both) might work, most likely forward and up a bit but it's at least 1/4" thick steel so I'm wondering how easy that would even be.

I can give someone a call too if need be. Thanks Spencer.

[someguy]

Just heard from Kelly, they're sending me one of their exhaust hangers which are slightly smaller than stock which should hopefully resolve the issue. Will post back once I've got it and installed the brace to let everyone know if this resolves the issue.


Gotta love Corksport Many thanks!

[Yousuf]

Let us know if that solves this or not

[SpencerC]

Originally Posted by hnda etr Haven't people learned yet... always wait for CS's 2nd version (revision) of a product...

We have had the Mid-Chassis brace released and selling for over 3 years without issue.

[MizzyMS3]

@Hoovs; and I installed one of these on his basically stock 2011. It fit with no problems what so ever.

[ihasmazda]

I noticed after I installed my CS DP that i had to pull the catback forward about 1-2 inches to get it to mate up with the DP flange, so maybe this is caused by having an aftermarket something or other exhaust part causing it to no longer sit at the same stock location.

[SpencerC]

Originally Posted by ihasmazda I noticed after I installed my CS DP that i had to pull the catback forward about 1-2 inches to get it to mate up with the DP flange, so maybe this is caused by having an aftermarket something or other exhaust part causing it to no longer sit at the same stock location.

Pretty sure his exhaust is 100% stock, but if it was aftermarket there is still only a minor possibility of that being an issue.

[someguy]

Originally Posted by Spencer@CorkSport Pretty sure his exhaust is 100% stock, but if it was aftermarket there is still only a minor possibility of that being an issue.

Stock catback but I do have a cp-e catted downpipe. I didn't install it myself (had a reputable mazda shop do it back before I knew how to do it myself) so I'm not sure if it might have pulled things forward too like @ihasmazda; suggested.

[SpencerC]

Originally Posted by someguy Stock catback but I do have a cp-e catted downpipe. I didn't install it myself (had a reputable mazda shop do it back before I knew how to do it myself) so I'm not sure if it might have pulled things forward too like @ihasmazda; suggested.

Interesting, could be possible.

[someguy]

Hanger came in today, installed things again. It improved the clearance a bit but the one corner still contacted the brace. Given that it's urethane though and thicker, I was able to trim it back enough that there was no longer any contact. So we're all solved on this one.


Initial impressions of the mid chassis brace exceeded my expectations too. I wasn't expecting it to make too much of a difference or that I'd have a hard time noticing it but this was not the case. On enthusiastic cornering the car is definitely flatter and you can feel the front outer tire is not getting worked nearly as hard to make the same corner. All and all, a very worthy upgrade and for the price especially I'd not hesitate to recommend one to others. Who would have thought a random piece of metal under the car could do anything?

Thanks Corksport!