CX-5 Strut Brands

[Lazy2.5]

Yeah, I hate a wallowing suspension. While the CX-5 is no thoroughbred, it does have fairly sprightly handling if the parts are all to-spec.

Am currently at 127Kmi on my 2016.5 CX-5, and I'm anticipating that after 150Kmi on the clock I'll be swapping-in new shocks front and rear, along with whatever control arms and anti-sway links are showing the need for new.

Last summer, I did the front lower control arms and tie rod ends, to erase an increasingly-loud clunk in the front right corner. Handling got right back to 'factory', after that fix. But the shocks are clearly losing some of their 'zip' and will get replaced within the next ~30Kmi or so (more than a couple years' of driving for me). Keeping ahead of the maintenance curve, basically.

Likely going with the Koni Special Active shocks.

8745-1346L

KONI is the world leader in adjustable shock absorber technology with over 50 years of worldwide racing success.

shop.koni-na.com

8745-1346R

KONI is the world leader in adjustable shock absorber technology with over 50 years of worldwide racing success.

shop.koni-na.com

8045-1347

KONI is the world leader in adjustable shock absorber technology with over 50 years of worldwide racing success.

shop.koni-na.com

what springs will you be using?

150k is a good time to change out the originals. You can get 200k out of them if you don't drive aggressively or corner hard. My rears still seem to be in quite good condition.

 

[GFrosty]

what springs will you be using?

Factory springs, with the Koni Special Active shocks. Additionally doing the front upper bearing mounts.

IF I were to do the Koni Sport or similar, I would likely change the springs and go with H&R Sport springs (#28875-1) for a bit firmer, sharper handling. But Koni doesn't list these as a fitment for the 2016 CX-5.

 

[Lazy2.5]

Factory springs, with the Koni Special Active shocks. Additionally doing the front upper bearing mounts.

IF I were to do the Koni Sport or similar, I would likely change the springs and go with H&R Sport springs (#28875-1) for a bit firmer, sharper handling. But Koni doesn't list these as a fitment for the 2016 CX-5.

How about Tanabe?

 

[GFrosty]

How about Tanabe?

Haven't looked at any except Mazda OEM factory, Koni (Special Active), Bilstein (and Bilstein doesn't seem to support the 2016). Am in the "mulling" stage. Not really looking for a performance build, so I haven't considered coilover setups. Though I might consider modest lowering. Will figure it out within the next year or two, by the time suspension work is needed.

 

[Lazy2.5]

Haven't looked at any except Mazda OEM factory, Koni (Special Active), Bilstein (and Bilstein doesn't seem to support the 2016). Am in the "mulling" stage. Not really looking for a performance build, so I haven't considered coilover setups. Though I might consider modest lowering. Will figure it out within the next year or two, by the time suspension work is needed.

I would consider the KYB "Quick Struts" (They call it "strut-plus".) If you are not looking for performance and body drop. For about the same price, you'll get the complete strut assembly.

 

[N7turbo]

Based on my research, if I had a 1st Gen CX-5, I would get the Koni SA. They are not for cars with more than a 1" drop though.

 

[Bitterlemon]

@

Lazy2.5 Great, after much more research, I think KYB is a safer option, considering the amount of work plus the alignment cost. Can confirm the noise is from the struts, now it has developed into a more pronounced way, which can be easily recognized.​