Rear Sway Bar options?

:
Mazda
Hey guys,

Been considering a rear sway bar upgrade to make my daily commute not so boring. After browsing the net, most rear sway bars are for the Mazda 3. Are they interchangeable with the CX-5 FWD? Theoretically they should be compatible? CX-5 Rear sway bar end link options? The OP was able to install a CS sway bar on his CX-5 I believe. Any ideas?

Thanks.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
@mazdaftw - Interesting the first upgrade you think about is the rear sway bar.

yes it seems the Mazda 3 component would work in this instance. and it seems all years 2016-present are the same part fitment.
As @Silly Wabbit indicated AutoExe makes one:

Brands to consider (alphabetical order):

Autoexe
Corksport
Hardrace
Ultraracing



if you want to stiffen the entire chassis, there are several components you will want to evaluate:
 
Thank you for the links kind sir. I asked CS and the specialist informed me the MZ3 sway bar would only be compatible with the MZ6 and not the CX-5. That's why I figured to ask. since JBR produces a single bar for the 3/6/CX-5.

I found this one which has great reviews on other sites and is about as stiff as the CS one.

 
Wow, didn't even realize the CX-5 didn't come with a rear sway bar from the factory. Even my son's 1994 F150 has a factory rear sway bar! I just assumed one was there.
 
i just looked under the rear of my sig and feel swapping to aftermarket swaybars would be quite difficult. the nuts for the brackets are very difficult to access.
 
Okay, good. I'm going to have to crawl under mine, see if one is there. Like I said, I just assumed it was. So if it is there, not exactly sure what the OP is referring to.
 
Okay, good. I'm going to have to crawl under mine, see if one is there. Like I said, I just assumed it was. So if it is there, not exactly sure what the OP is referring to.

Yeah the first sentence of the OP is a bit confusing, because it sounds like OP is wanting to add a rear sway bar, not replace/upgrade the existing one.

Been considering a rear sway bar to make my daily commute not so boring.

I edited the OP to make it more clear.
 
Hey guys,

Been considering a rear sway bar upgrade to make my daily commute not so boring. After browsing the net, most rear sway bars are for the Mazda 3. Are they interchangeable with the CX-5 FWD? Theoretically they should be compatible? CX-5 Rear sway bar end link options? The OP was able to install a CS sway bar on his CX-5 I believe. Any ideas?

Thanks.
Search “rear sway bar” by Chris_Top_Her in the forum for more info.

Rear sway bar options for 1st generation CX-5

For AWD: Hardrace (also resold and branded as Megan Racing), Ultra Racing, Corksport. They still sell the rear sway bar for the gen3 mazda 3 which is the same bar they were selling for the CX-5 (I have it) might need to contact them.
 
What's the typical time and cost to install the upgraded bar? CS's website said it should take an hour to complete. I've asked around 2 shops, one was a local mechanic that I regularly go to for maintenance $800 to swap out the bar. I didn't bother to ask for further clarification or breakdown of the price. The other shop quoted me $250. Is $100 for labor considered realistic in the Bay Area?
 
$800 is insane. And yes, the job is about an hour. If it didn't come with polyurethane bushings, replace those while you're at it.
 
Yea when I lowered mine and had camber arms swapped, they said the subframe had to be dropped. I’d imagine same with a RSB
 
The installation requires a drop of the subframe which may require up to 4 hours of labor. hmm that's pricey.
Only if you have an AWD according to Chris_Top_Her.

For example, a set of h&r lowering springs can be had for about 250 new and whatever used. Those springs will still have you higher than a stock mazda 6 for example while imprving handling alot without introducing undesirable things such as stiff ride, bottoming out or rubbing. They also work well with the stock dampers. They can be installed with simple hand tools, a jack (jackstand) and a cheap spring compressor.
That one item alone would make the car more sporty and less goofy looking. The other popular item would be a rear sway bar. $200 or less depending on brand, but most likely if you are a noob at working on cars you'd have to lay for an install. It's difficult to do in a driveway with awd because you have to lower the rear subframe which is better done on a lift. The actual swap is very simple, just getting to is inconvinient. Those would be two items you could have for less than 1g assuming you paid for installation and alignment (which you meed after changing ride height). An engine tune runs about $500 for whatever octane and improves the powerband. I.e you have more horsepower everywhere instead of just at "peak". Also the speed at which the TB opens and closes during shifting is changed which gives quicker power shifiting (the lag people notice is because of an oem ecu tune emissions strategy; it happens on subies too). The degree of change in the suspension mods are higher than the ecu tune change in general ao it's a better value to upgrade suspension on a smaller budget. Wider tires and wheel are a good one too, but that will bust 1k easily.
 
All these mechanics aren't as talented as Chris haha. I called a Mazda dealership and was quoted $250 for the installation with no warranty. I think that's reasonable right guys?
 
All these mechanics aren't as talented as Chris haha.
Yes, indeed!

I called a Mazda dealership and was quoted $250 for the installation with no warranty. I think that's reasonable right guys?
And you do have an AWD? I believe for a dealer who has the highest labor charge, $250 seems to be reasonable to lower the subframe. But I do believe you should be able to find an indie who charges even less for the job if you look harder. Just make sure the shop is reputable and capable of doing the job.
 
I have a FWD. I'm sure I could get the job done for cheaper somewhere but want to avoid the old rund-around. "Computer says its 4 hours of labor so cost will be XXX and if I can get it done sooner, I'll subtract it."
 
Back