So I've done two mods here lately on my 09 and in both cases I've broken two bolt heads off of bolts. One was while removing the water pump pulley and another was broken while putting the syncro back on my shifter. Oddly they were both 10mm hex bolts. Anyone else run across this with an 09 or any other models? Is Mazda cutting budgets on bolts these days?

damn that sux bro

use a little anti-seize. I use it on every bolt on mine after I snapped a few heads off.

Are you using a 1/4" ratchet? I see a lot of people use a 1/2" drive ratchet on little 10mm bolts.

I actually think most use a 3/8" ratchet...^you are right though, people should be using a 1/4" drive.

Yeah you are right.

I was using my 1/4". Never had a problem before with 10mm bolts.

did they break as you put them back on? or when you undid them?

Water pulley as I took it off; I think the threading was crocked on the pulley. The shift socket while I was tightening. I was not even to the point of resistance yet.

I was using my 1/4". Never had a problem before with 10mm bolts.


Weird. Are you Clark Kent by any chance?

Not that I know of. I have my dad's hair and my mom's eyes so I don't think I'm an adopted alien. Could be wrong, but they told me about it.