Mini Mazda Modding (2011 Mazda 2)

[Vman455]

If you tint your windows, it might not be legal to remove the mirrors anyway; Illinois' new tint law stipulates such.

[apc]

All back together.




Most of the marks on the rims came off with brake cleaner. A few small scratches left but you have to look for them. The stripping went on easy around the perimeter.




Edge is covered. Looks much better.




Initially, I felt no vibration at 70mph. But after a little bit of city driving I found the front left one still shifts around. I can't tighten the zip ties any more. I might try going around and snipping out the first ridge or two of the stripping. That would give it an edge to hold it in place. I just want to avoid doing a center peg if I can. But for now, I'm happy with the results.

One thing that occurred to me is that with the covers about level with the edge of the tires now, I have to be very careful not to scrape the curb when parking.

[oldtamiyaphile]

I wonder if you could go up to the next size pizza pans and have them sit on the outside of the rim, it seems like it would be relatively easy to then centre with little tabs or the like. I'm thinking of doing my trailer like that so I'd get the low profile look without the drawbacks.

[apc]

If I end up rebuilding them I'll probably go that route. Walmart just doesn't sell 17" so I'd have to buy them online.

[apc]

Welp, they're back in the back. They still shift around and go off-balance. I'm finding that the zip ties can't keep them tight enough - the tie just slips back apart. So looks like I'm back to putting a peg down into the center cap. Right now thinking a PVC pipe end as close to the diameter of the opening as possible, then shim it out with electrical tape until it seats tight, and screw it to the center of the cover. And of course, drilling out the lug nuts is increasingly sounding appealing.

[freebeard]

What's known to work is three sheet metal screws around the rim. I wonder if you could drill an oversized hole and put a threaded insert in it.

[apc]

I'm shying away from drilling unsightly holes in anything I can't replace for cheap or easily conceal should the need to resell arise. I actually snapped awake thinking about adding three or four conduit straps as clips around the edge of the cover.




There's not much of a lip to grab on the rims but I think there's enough.

[MetroMPG]

Subscribed. I missed this thread somehow.

Nice progress so far.

I've never driven a Mazda2, but the reviewers seemed to really like them for their fun-to-driveness. Shame about the top gear ratio.

[ahm1127]

I like your progress so far. I have an 2011 Fiesta, similar to yours & would like to do mods to mine.
Thanks & good luck

[Tzfardaya]

Nice, I've the same car, managed 40 mpg tanks once or twice so far... Been wanting to do some of these same mods to mine... (mines the "energetic/spirited green" model, 2011 1.5 manual)

Any chance you still have those grill dam templates kicking around? Unfortunately I don't have a garage to work in a city bylaws prevent me from pulling body parts off when parked on the road side...