Something broke, '89 626 (2025 Update)

quit spamming irrelevent newsgroups. Your 626 isn't a toyota.

Check the exhaust hangar bolts Hachi. A four inch bolt is pretty big for exhaust but it could have been in a bushing or holding something that is now hitting the exhaust that broke on the dirt road. You will have to look underneath in the daylight, and or, with a light. Look especially around and pull / wiggle on the exhaust system parts when its cold. The jangling sound reminds me of pipe noise ( probably the longest pipe because it's length will create the jangling tone )interfering with something else, but noises, of course are a hard diagnosis on the NG.

Up your what, you say?

Obviously, you haven't been here too long.

BTW, Google "Hachiroku".

There are PLENTY of people here with a boatload of experience with Toyotas and other cars, and can offer a suggestion as to where to look. A lot of Japanese cars are engineered in a similar manner.

As opposed to you, that just spoke up offering NOTHING.

The jangling noise was only as the part fell off the car. It is quiet now.

After checking a Mazda OEM parts site, it looks like it might be an alignment adjustment part. The thing is, I assume that would be on the lower control arm, but from what I saw the bolts are there. I couldn't get too good a look at the passenger's side.

Unfortunately, my 'paper route' is tearing the hell out of this car! I have a Suby I want to put on-line, but can't get the ball joint out! Once I get that going (or buy another one...one of my customers has a '97 for $200; 300,000 miles!!! but I think the engine and I know the trans have been replaced...this will be #6!!) I want to 'retire' the Mazda to use for my job as a Dell Factory rep for the winter where it will see 99% paved roads. I'm using the Scion for that now, as well as the Supra when the weather is like it has been this week! ;)

Brass colored bolts are not that common on cars. Check to see if the bolts that hold the radiator are in place. I suspect that it was a random bolt that you kicked up.

Geeze, Ray, I wish!

The brass colored ones on this car are used in the suspension. I think it might be an alignment adjustment. On Toys these are brass colored also.

It was a matter of about a minute between the time I heard the POP! and when the bolt fell out. There was a pop, something hitting the bottom of the car; I took a corner (thinking it was stones...) and then about 100 ft further the bolt fell out.

I *WISH* it had been something else! :(

snipped-for-privacy@panix.com (Scott Dorsey) wrote in news:fd3mpn$9tt$ snipped-for-privacy@panix2.panix.com:

I suspect the "brass" may be yellow zinc dichromate wash.

Yellow dichromate is a common anti-corrosion plating applied to many auto parts, including bolts and nuts.

By golly, I believe you are correct (as you are about 99% of the time...)

I said 'brass colored' because it was the best description. Thanks for the Tech info!

If it is a clean zinc chromate bolt take a look at it close for wear spots or corrosion spots. They will give you a clue what the parts it holds look like. 4" is a long bolt. Sounds like a suspension bolt like an A arm or maybe a rear spring bolt? Or possibly a caliper mount bolt?

I would look it over REAL close.