Under car crossmember question
 

There are a couple of cross members under the 2005 RX8. One just under the transmission tail shaft and another a little further back. I was able to bend both of them to the extent I needed to replace them. The new forward cross member came with a 12mm x 1.25 bolt with a very unique machined end threaded into a bung about midway between the mounting bolts. Can anyone tell me the purpose of this bolt?

Thanks in advance.

J. Apollon

Wow, I was wondering the exact same thing, I bent mine and when I installed the new one it can with that weird bolt... I noticed that it was physically imposible to threat it in all the way once in place because it ran into the tranny so I just assumed it was ment for the AT transmission maybe:dunno:

How are you guys bending these things? Bottoming it out or body flex? If its body flex you might consider the autoexe replica made by tcsportline and sold for a few hundred on ebay. Some agrue the effectivness of chassis brace and think its a waste of money and added weight, but I would rather install it and have no problems, then not install it and tweak the body.

Oops
 

Highway, I hate to admit it but I bent my going through a car wash! My sense is that they are of little value, however I like to keep all of the original pieces in place.

J. Apollon

HAHA, I knid of figured but I thought I would ask.

Mazda installed them for a reason. The stock units are fine for the street and you probably wouldnt notice them if they were missing, but I track my car hard which is why I installed the beefier/heavier aftermarket pieces. Like i said, playing it safe.

I have the OEM stock cross braces that goes underneth the midpipe if anyonw wants it.. PM for a price.. basically just offer me something for them

Can someone tell me what is the name of part in white box ? I got it scraped badly by a manhole cover popping out on the top of uphill road :( . I went to Sears and they told that it's called cross-member and it will take them around 6-7 hours to fix it. For some reason they have to suspend engine too!! Looking at the image I don't think there is a requirement to suspend engine and it should be fairly simple to replace it.. Any suggestions? If someone has come across any video demoing to replace it ? I am also sharing the picture of the same part in my car. It has started making too much noise and I want to get it done ASAP.


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...56974617ab.png


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...73fd874709.jpg