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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 27 of 36

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

Jul 31, 2010 (10:19 pm)

Replying to: petesmazda5 (Apr 16, 2010 8:38 pm)
Check seat belt buckle receptacle on driver's side next to console. With weight in the seat, the buckle receptacle rubs between seat and console. slide a piece of foam with doubles sided tape down in between console and buckle receptacle. I'm glad you will be getting rid of the Mazda5 soon. Wise choice. While a bit more pricy, Volvo has a family vehicle with room for people and gear, great visibility, handling and safety. Volvo dealerships tend to be way more service oriented than Mazda dealerhsips. Volvo mechanics seem to be happier with their jobs too! Makes a difference when you work for a company that stands actually wants to stand behind and in front of their product.

#261 of 359 '09 shocks/caster by larry8061

Aug 02, 2010 (5:05 am)

The Australian "adjusters" for the front shock towers, don't have caster as an adjustment? That would surprise me.
 
I'd find out what was taking the shocks out before I spent the money on the Koni's.
 
Larry

#262 of 359 Re: '09 shocks/caster [larry8061] by qbrozen

Aug 02, 2010 (8:10 am)

Replying to: larry8061 (Aug 02, 2010 5:05 am)
I honestly think the shocks are just inferior. Don't forget, this is a Mazda3 underneath it all. So we've got shocks designed for a 5-passenger 3000-lb car holding up a 6-passenger 3500-lb car. You put 6 adults in this thing and you're pushing those shocks way beyond their designed limitations.
 
I haven't had tire wear issues, personally. Although we've only had the car 14k miles so far. I took it to Sears for an alignment and they only found the right rear wheel was toed out a bit out of spec.
 
Just to update again, I didn't go with the Konis. A bit too expensive and I was worried it would make the ride too harsh for the wife. I have ordered the Monroe Sensatrac 5607s online and should have them mid-week. I will report back the results.

#263 of 359 Re: '09 shocks/caster [qbrozen] by larry8061

Aug 02, 2010 (12:33 pm)

Replying to: qbrozen (Aug 02, 2010 8:10 am)
Hey - to each his own......... but 14,000 on shocks? I have 34,000 on mine and they are still fine......... And with tall he documented problems from the factory I ALWAYS do the research and take a very very close look at why something is happening.
 
Its like the brakes 33,000 and all four rotors and sets of pads - gone. I don't drive that hard - my VW's ALWAYS got at least 50,000 and that was just for the pads.
 
So it was out with the old and in with the new: ALL aftermarket and ALL much higher spec.
 
You could be chasing this shock thing forever (or replacing them every 14,000. There is a reason they are going bad.
 
Good luck,
 
Larry

#264 of 359 shocks shocker by riproy

Aug 12, 2010 (8:21 pm)

2006 M5 GT with 55,000 km on the clock. One rear shock has completely drained of oil and needs to be replaced. That was shocking enough - replacing a shock on a vehicle with only 55,000 km on it? Rather lightly driven car, 90% of kms with 2 or less people on board.
 
Next shocker - dealer tells me they only have one in stock and they can't find any others, not in Canada, not anywhere in N.Am.! I will have to wait a couple of weeks til they can get another in, which is fine with me. I just can't believe that there is not one other shock for a Mazda5 anywhere on the continent. This makes me laugh. I should call around to other dealers, i imagine i could find another in the city where i live.
 
What do you think?

#265 of 359 Re: shocks shocker [riproy] by qbrozen

Aug 13, 2010 (7:16 am)

Replying to: riproy (Aug 12, 2010 8:21 pm)
Go to an independent shop, is my advice. I purchased 2 Monroe sensatracs for the wife's. $75 shipped to my door and took me all of an hour to replace. I'm anticipating these will prove far superior to the stocks shocks. So far, they feel great.

#266 of 359 Re: '09 shocks/caster [larry8061] by qbrozen

Aug 13, 2010 (7:18 am)

Replying to: larry8061 (Aug 02, 2010 12:33 pm)
Its like the brakes 33,000 and all four rotors and sets of pads - gone. I don't drive that hard - my VW's ALWAYS got at least 50,000 and that was just for the pads.
  
So it was out with the old and in with the new: ALL aftermarket and ALL much higher spec.
  
You could be chasing this shock thing forever (or replacing them every 14,000. There is a reason they are going bad.
 
isn't that contradictory? You feel nothing is wrong with your car, but that it is the shoddy stock brakes that are the problem. So why should something be wrong with my car other than shoddy stock shocks?
 
We both took the same route: replace stock with superior aftermarket parts. And we both believe this is the solution.

#267 of 359 Re: '09 shocks/caster [qbrozen] by larry8061

Aug 14, 2010 (5:16 pm)

Replying to: qbrozen (Aug 13, 2010 7:18 am)
Point taken! However, I think you'll find that low mileage brake useage is common. Warped rotors are warped rotors and they warp because Mazda is using inferior metal/design.
 
Very clearly there have been a LOT of suspension problems particularly in Canada. They ENTIRE suspension geometry is predicated on a dead straight body and apparently that isn't always happening. I have not read a lot about early shock failure on the lists I read.
 
Just offering an opinion............ hope you don't see it again.
 
Good luck,
 
Larry

#268 of 359 Re: '09 shocks/caster [larry8061] by qbrozen

Aug 15, 2010 (6:31 am)

Replying to: larry8061 (Aug 14, 2010 5:16 pm)
Huh. Interesting. Would like to know more about these issues. Any links?
 
I also keep thinking I have a warped rotor (explaining the vibration issue we have). I've suggested that to the dealer, but they keep blowing me off, leaving me to make these fixes myself. I'm waiting till I order new tires. Once those are balanced and installed, I'll see where I'm at.

#269 of 359 Re: '09 shocks/caster [qbrozen] by larry8061

Aug 16, 2010 (4:57 am)

Replying to: qbrozen (Aug 15, 2010 6:31 am)
The vibration thingy should be easy................. if you have vibration and the brake peddle isn't depressed (like a Mazda 5 owner ) then its the tires. If the vibration shows up when you apply the brakes its the rotor (s).
 
Links per se, no............... sadly, if you go to google and type in your problem all manner of links will magically appear.......... there doesn't seem to be a "unique" problem for the Mazda 5. There are a number of lists for the 5 as well as the 3.......... I don't know if its just my searches or what but, I don't seem to see the amount of problems for the 3 that there are for the 5.
 
Particularly iif you are having a lot of tire wear THAT problem needs to be actually diagnosed rather than tires thrown at it - that can be a v ery expensive proposition. And with all the aftermarket parts (some not cheap) to address these defects one can get the alignment right and save the tires. And I would concur that the dealer may not be the best choice for these kinds fo problems
 
I will say that You tube has answers to some of these problems........
 
Good luck!!
 
Larry

Messages Page 27 of 36

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