Mazda 3 Turbo Hatchback Rear Strut Brace

Increase the rigidity of your Mazda 3 hatch chassis with the Rear Hatch Brace. The installation of the CorkSport Rear Hatch Brace will further improve the handling characteristics of your Mazda 3 turbo hatchback, so you can gain more confidence and feedback when pushing the limits in your Mazda. The design of the hatch naturally leads to less chassis stiffness compared to the sedan which is due to the increased size of the cargo area. The rear hatch reinforcement is designed to give your chassis more resistance against twisting when cornering, to allow for flatter and more consistent performance.

The hatch brace is available in two configurations to give you the option to pick which is the best fit for you. The cross bars are also removable so you can take advantage of the increased cargo space of your hatch when desired.

Read The BlogImprove Handling for Your 4th Gen Mazda 3 Hatch with the Rear Hatch Brace

The CorkSport Advantage

Fitment Driven:

The CorkSport Rear Hatch Brace gets installed just behind the rear seats so full functionality is retained and the cross bars are tucked out of the way so there is plenty of cargo space left available. The brackets that tie into the chassis utilize factory mounting locations so no new holes are needed during installation. The only pieces that will have to be modified include the side trim and the lower foam insert and floor cover if you decided to go with the Stage 2 configuration. More details can be found below in the install instructions if you want to see exactly what parts need to be modified.

Design Focused:

The main design focus of the CS Rear Hatch Brace was for the cross bars to be fully removable, whether you are opting for the Stage 1 or 2 variant. This was a main factor as we wanted the cargo area in the hatch to still be practical and usable for day-to-day activities. Each crossbar can be taken out with the removal of 4 bolts, so when you need to carry some larger cargo, they can be detached without you having to dig back into the interior.

Stage 1 Configuration:

The Stage 1 configuration is a simple setup that only features the main cross bar & side mounting brackets. This allows you to still have easy access underneath the brace if you need to carry some longer cargo. The Stage 1 also requires less modification during install so there are fewer interior parts that need trimming. If you select the Stage 1 configuration at first, you can always pick up the additional parts later to convert it to a Stage 2 down the road if desired.

Stage 2 Configuration:

The Stage 2 on the other hand integrates two additional bars that tie the side brackets and a center lower seat bracket and help triangulate the brace to provide more rigidity and performance.

Cross Bars:

The cross bars that tie the brackets together are made from 0.083” wall carbon steel rectangular tubing and provide all the strength necessary to help reduce excess flex in the hatch chassis. They are also powder coated in the same textured black to match the brackets and give off an OE like appearance.

Hardware and Accessories:

The CS Rear Hatch Brace features stainless steel hardware that ties all the bars together. We also include countersunk bolts and washers to provide a nice finishing touch that complements the overall appearance of the brace.

NVH: Noise, Vibration, & Harshness in the vehicle cabin will be increased with the use of the CorkSport rear hatch brace.
Some trimming/cutting of the interior panels is required for installation. Please review the installation instructions before purchasing.

Additional Features

Vehicle Fitment: 2019+ Mazda 3 Hatchback Turbo & Non-Turbo
Developed in America: Designed in Vancouver WA, USA.
CorkSport Service and Support: Receive a 2-year warranty, full-color installation instructions, all of the needed installation hardware, and knowledgeable telephone installation support.

How To Install the Mazda 3 Rear Hatch Brace

It will take you Approx. 90 minutes to install.

90 Min Install Time

2/5 Difficulty

2-Year Warranty

No CEL

As a newbie in the car community, I’ve always been a bit intimidated and hesitant to install new parts on my own. To boost my own confidence, I decided to put my fears aside and jump into my first solo install. I decided to pick up the CorkSport Stage 2 Rear Strut Brace.

The installation of the rear strut brace was a breeze! The most “difficult” part of the entire project personally was removing and reinstalling the bottom of the rear seats, which I believe was more of a strength issue than anything. I was able to resolve this by removing the top portion of the seats first and coming back to the bottom portion after. To complete the installation, you must do some minor trimming of the trunk panels and foam inserts, but the template provided in the instructions is PERFECT.

I took a drive through the mountains to our local ski resort and was pretty impressed with my 3’s handling through the twisties. I’m not one to continuously push my car to its limits, but with the added stability, I felt confident in pushing my car even more on this drive! I did not notice any added noise or vibration with the addition of the brace.

If you’re looking for a great and simple modification for your hatchback that is performance driven- check out the CorkSport Rear Strut Brace!

Madison DeGarmo02/27/2024, 10:48 AM

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