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Mazda5 Suspension

359 messages,  Last post on Nov 01, 2012 at 9:26 PM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDA5, Van

Messages Page 26 of 37

#247 of 359 Re: 2006 Mazda Sqeaky driver's seat [petesmazda5] by kukareka

Jun 16, 2010 (7:40 pm)

Replying to: petesmazda5 (Apr 16, 2010 8:38 pm)
My suggestion is exactly the same as you said at last.
 Dump this car ASAP!
 Suspension is crap and will be always crap!
It doesn't matter how many times parts get replaced or lubricated!!!
At only one dealership tech admitted to me "of record" that "these cars are known for this problem", the rest of them (mazda techs and their managers) either play stupid or keep their mouths shut.
Buying Mazda5 was a mistake for me too! Crunching noises at winter, rear shocks replaced twice, alignment goes off at least twice a year (even though maintenance and tire rotation schedules are followed), tires get chewed up.
I'm looking forward to Odyssey 2011!
Mazda5 goes kaput!

#248 of 359 Re: 2006 Mazda Sqeaky driver's seat [kukareka] by coolmazda5

Jun 19, 2010 (3:49 pm)

Replying to: kukareka (Jun 16, 2010 7:40 pm)
Alignment goes off at least twice a year? How are you driving it? Where are you driving it?
 
Just be aware that the 2011 Honda Odyssey is the first model of the next gen, and is when all the bugs show-up. Usually all first models of the next gen cars have flaws

#249 of 359 Re: 2006 Mazda Sqeaky driver's seat [coolmazda5] by kukareka

Jun 20, 2010 (8:26 pm)

Replying to: coolmazda5 (Jun 19, 2010 3:49 pm)
Driving is normal. 10-15 mi a day, no passengers or load. I don't abuse this car or any I owned. Maintenance is up to date too.
Since if you call yourself coolmazda5, I wonder what year is your 5 and how many miles you have on it? Have you tested your car in freezing temps? Did Mazda send you questionnaire on the second week of ownership too? It tells you something, doesn't it?
Hey, you wanna swap?
Just kidding.
But seriously, ANYBODY wants swap mazda5 07 for odyssey or sienna???? We'll call it an even exchange!
Perhaps, 06-07 models are the only ones with suspension issues... I really want to know if owners of 2008-10 models do or don't have these issues
I've owned 2 Civics and Accord (all bought new). One is still running with 98K. With Hondas I've never experienced any problems. I just think that I made a mistake to buy 5 and switch to Mazda.
I agree with your point about 2011. This could be the same fate as 2006 for mazda5.
Regardless, mazda5 is kaput!

#250 of 359 Re: 2006 Mazda Sqeaky driver's seat [kukareka] by coolmazda5

Jun 21, 2010 (7:39 pm)

Replying to: kukareka (Jun 20, 2010 8:26 pm)
I own 2 Mazda5s, an 06 and an 08. Yes, the 06 has gotten the relevant recalls and TSBs. The 08 so far OK, nothing to change under warranty. Yes, the 06 has squeaked on cold winters. I actually traded-in a Honda Civic for the 1st Mazda5. The Civic gave me a couple of severe issues that left me stranded on the road (exhaust, start relay) and so far the Mazdas, nada. Also, my dealer has been very decent (the 2nd one, the 1st one not at all) so that helps...
 
I asked about the alignment because I've not experienced eating tires nor alignment issues. Only problem is that the OEM Toyo Proxes tires are horrible, I replaced them on the 06 as soon as the opportunity presented. Looking forward to do it on the 08 before Winter starts...

#251 of 359 Re: 2006 Mazda Sqeaky driver's seat [coolmazda5] by kukareka

Jun 21, 2010 (8:05 pm)

Replying to: coolmazda5 (Jun 21, 2010 7:39 pm)
I feel better to know that your 06 had similar problems, and I'm surprised to know that 08 hasn''t. Would you possibly know what's the prime diffrerence between the 2 in terms of suspension, please? Are the shocks different, bushings, etc?
My 07 has over 30K, tires are OK. I did all rotations as scheduled. My toyos are OK for now, but do get chewed up quicker than of Accord's for example.
I still believe I should sell my 5 and buy something else. But before I'll make such a decision, I'd wait for other owners who have 2008-10 year models to confirm your statement regarding 08 model. In that case I'd sell my 07 and get a brand new one.

#252 of 359 Crunch noise fixed -- for a while by kuruma808

Jun 21, 2010 (10:34 pm)

I mentioned our '08 Mazda5's rear-suspension crunching noises to our dealer's service dept. when I brought it in recently for routine service -- even referred them to the prior years' service bulletin. They said they took the rear suspension apart, couldn't find any signs of wear, abrasion or other problems, and moreover couldn't even hear the noise (which had been obvious to all passengers for several months.) They didn't charge me anything beyond the other service work, and offered to take another look if I could bring it in again to demonstrate the noise.
 I gave up, drove the car back home -- and noticed that the noise really was gone!! I deliberately took routes that set off the crunching before, and the car was silent! I figured something in the disassembly/reassembly process must have done the trick.
 This situation lasted for about a week, when the noise reappeared while driving over a normal speed bump. It's become more and more pronounced since then -- still not as loud or consistent as before, but definitely trending upward.
 Don't know what this says about the cause of the problem, other than it appears that rather fine tolerances are involved. Cold temps are not a factor here, as the car has been in Hawaii since purchase.

#253 of 359 Re: 2006 Mazda Sqeaky driver's seat [kukareka] by coolmazda5

Jun 22, 2010 (7:02 am)

Replying to: kukareka (Jun 21, 2010 8:05 pm)
I don't feel any critical differences, but as I've been reading it seems that there was a very bad lot of shocks in the warehouse for the first models. Bushings seem to be of different (read "better") materials now. Also, I'm sure Mazda did some adjustments to the suspension (i.e. camber) after the years have passed. For example, I can tell that while the Proxes are horrible, on the 08 they seem on better shape than the ones on the 06 at the i.e. 20k mile mark.
 
I've serviced both in the same place

#254 of 359 Bad Shocks by 09mazda5

Jun 23, 2010 (7:40 am)

I have an 09 Mazda5 and haven't had issues with suspension noise, but have now had both rear shocks go out (one at 18K and now the other at 22K). The Yokohama Avid tires that came with the vehicle also have flat spots on the inside edge of two tires (currently both on axel where shocks failed) even though the tires have been rotated every 4K since purchasing the car new. Mazda swears the shocks aren't causing the unusual tire wear pattern. Alignment was checked at 18K. The service manager said there was an issue with the shocks but that supposedly something was changed to address the shock issue and that he hasn't had any come back (yet) since the "new" design shocks have come out. Parts manager at another local Mazda dealership says the shocks go out "all the time" and that's "just what they do." No on else has a shock that will fit the 09 Mazda5 yet (have checked several shock manufacturers-apparently there was a shock change from 08 to 09 model?), so I'm stuck with what Mazda makes for now.

#255 of 359 Re: Bad Shocks [09mazda5] by kukareka

Jun 23, 2010 (7:50 pm)

Replying to: 09mazda5 (Jun 23, 2010 7:40 am)
Thanks for the posting!
Your message exactly reflects my concerns on suspension issues of Mazda5 I've described in my previous postings, and it agrees with so many other postings at this thread
. The rear shocks were replaced twice on my 07 Touring, fortunately both times under warranty. I've checked reviews here at Edmunds for 07-09 mazda5s. For 07 and 08 there were couple concerns regarding suspension, and none for 09. It only means that owners of 09 didn't accumulate enough mileage to experience the issues yet. The fact is that tires get chewed up too soon because these tires probably too skinny to soften the shocks and vibrations from the road surface that leads the suspension to fail prematurely. Yeah, mazda could have replaced shocks for the better ones for 09-10 year models, but that doesn't mean that tires would last longer nor suspension wouldn't fail.
I liked this vehicle for a number of reasons until I had to go to dealerships to fix numerous suspension related issues. Features of this car are great, but safety is my most concern.

#256 of 359 Crunching noises by vicenac

Jul 29, 2010 (6:18 pm)

I read a post that a tech in Canada (?) cut a small groove inside the bushing before installing it and filled it with the required grease. Problem solved.

Messages Page 26 of 37

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