Are CX-5 and CX-50 brake components interchangeable?

[N7turbo]

I don't expect anyone to definitively know this, but I wonder if the power brake booster or master cylinder could be swapped from a CX-50 to resolve people's CX-5 soft brake pedal complaints.

 

[RedBaron]

I don't notice much (if any) difference between the 'softness' of our CX-5 vs CX-50. Also, people complain about the CX-50 brakes too, so I doubt that swapping anything other than changing the pads themselves (with aftermarket), will make an appreciable difference.

Personally, I like the 'softer' travel in the brakes - it gives me more control, especially when coming to a gentle stop.

 

[AL Cx5]

A common way to firm up brakes is to swap the brake hoses to each wheel with stainless steel braided lines. SS brake lines are less than $150/set.

I did this on my 2500 pick up. The brakes went from soft to very firm. A lot of the soft pedal are the brake hoses expanding under pressure. A quick look, I didn't find a supplier who sells SS lines for CX 5s.

We use SS braided brake lines on our race cars for reliability and firm brake pedal.

I might change to SS braided hoses later this year when we do a brake fluid flush.

Here is a link showing SS braided lines but don't fit my CX 5, only for reference. I have contacted this company and asked for a quote.

https://www.buybrakes.com/techna-fi...t-for-mazda-cx-5-front-and-rear-4-brake-lines

I bought my truck SS brake lines from Crown Performance. Easy guys to deal with and do what they say. I've contacted Crown as well.

https://www.crownperformance.com/stainless-steel-brake-line-kits/

 

[N7turbo]

I don't notice much (if any) difference between the 'softness' of our CX-5 vs CX-50. Also, people complain about the CX-50 brakes too,

They are significantly different. Neither are perfect. Ideally we'd have something in between the two. A little firmness from the CX-50 (but not as firm) and without the delay from the CX-5 brakes. Overall, I prefer the CX-5 brakes, but I don't prefer the delay.

I think the MX-5 does it better.

 

[Jmaz]

A common way to firm up brakes is to swap the brake hoses to each wheel with stainless steel braided lines. SS brake lines are less than $150/set.

I did this on my 2500 pick up. The brakes went from soft to very firm. A lot of the soft pedal are the brake hoses expanding under pressure. A quick look, I didn't find a supplier who sells SS lines for CX 5s.

We use SS braided brake lines on our race cars for reliability and firm brake pedal.

I might change to SS braided hoses later this year when we do a brake fluid flush.

Here is a link showing SS braided lines but don't fit my CX 5, only for reference. I have contacted this company and asked for a quote.

https://www.buybrakes.com/techna-fi...t-for-mazda-cx-5-front-and-rear-4-brake-lines

I bought my truck SS brake lines from Crown Performance. Easy guys to deal with and do what they say. I've contacted Crown as well.

https://www.crownperformance.com/stainless-steel-brake-line-kits/

New brake hoses last year (and naturally new fluid) firmed up the brakes nicely on my 2014. New pads followed shortly thereafter but it was the new hoses and fluid that made the improvement.

 

[AL Cx5]

New brake hoses last year (and naturally new fluid) firmed up the brakes nicely on my 2014. New pads followed shortly thereafter but it was the new hoses and fluid that made the improvement.

Good to see this helps!

Rubber hoses get soft with age. The expand when appying brade pressure. Sometimes a hose collapses and causes brake shoes to drag. SS braided brake lines is a common upgrade on my +20 year old 2500 pickup. Stopping a 9,000 pound truck with a 15,000 pound trailer NEED excellent brakes.

Crown Performance asked for my vin so he can look up the brake hose drawings. I'll buy a set of braided SS hoses and have them on them ready to go when I flush the brake system in 2026.

This thread got me motivated to swap out to a Performance brake hose. They will complement the drilled and slotted front rotors!

 

[N7turbo]

New brake hoses last year (and naturally new fluid) firmed up the brakes nicely on my 2014. New pads followed shortly thereafter but it was the new hoses and fluid that made the improvement.

Would this explain why the CX-50 has a firmer brake pedal? I doubt it—I'm pretty sure they would use the same kind of lines in all of their vehicles. So what else would it be besides the brake booster? I would like to see someone take a closer look at that.

 

[Jmaz]

I don't notice much (if any) difference between the 'softness' of our CX-5 vs CX-50. Also, people complain about the CX-50 brakes too, so I doubt that swapping anything other than changing the pads themselves (with aftermarket), will make an appreciable difference.

Personally, I like the 'softer' travel in the brakes - it gives me more control, especially when coming to a gentle stop.

Interesting that you mention changing the pads. I was thinking the same and maybe a grippier pad requiring less braking effort would help.

 

[AL Cx5]

Interesting that you mention changing the pads. I was thinking the same and maybe a grippier pad requiring less braking effort would help.

X2 pads will make a difference as well.

Before we had 5k mi on our CX 5 I swapped put front brakes pads and for fun drilled and slotted rotors. The OEM pads squeaked and produced a lot of brake dust.

These pads don't squeak or dust like the OEMs. Slotted rotors grip the pad better as well. Both may have improved soft brake pedal. I don't remember feeling a difference.

I just started the car and applied brakes. Pedal went down several inches and was firm. I'll observe driving.

I believe the tubos have CX 90 front brake parts. Pad and rotors are different than NA. With slotted rotors it will put your nose to the windshield.

Still, I'll swap out the rubber brake hoses for braided SS. These were a nice upgrade on my truck.

Generic pic.

 

[RedBaron]

I don't notice much (if any) difference between the 'softness' of our CX-5 vs CX-50.

OK, so I'm stepping back a little from my statement above...

Last night I had occasion to drive the wife's CX-5 again. What I DID notice as a difference to my CX-50, was that the initial 'bite' of the brakes was an appreciable way down the brake travel from that in the -50. Once the brakes started to bite, they acted about the same between the cars. Not sure why or what could cause it, but that initial brake travel was the only difference I could feel.

 

[N7turbo]

Exactly. That's the delay I'm referring to and where I think most users complain. I've gotten used to it over the years (I've been driving CX-5's since 2014) but I definitely notice it affects my stopping distance, as I don't come to the gradual stop I would like, but rather begin a little late.

I'm not convinced that it's pad grip; it feels like there is lag from the time you push the pedal to the time they actuate. I could maybe see hard lines helping with that, but maybe a stronger brake booster is what is needed. Just my thinking.

 

[AL Cx5]

OK, so I'm stepping back a little from my statement above...

Last night I had occasion to drive the wife's CX-5 again. What I DID notice as a difference to my CX-50, was that the initial 'bite' of the brakes was an appreciable way down the brake travel from that in the -50. Once the brakes started to bite, they acted about the same between the cars. Not sure why or what could cause it, but that initial brake travel was the only difference I could feel.

SS Braided hoses help the brakes react faster.

I need to find the brake pedal and master cylinder drawings to compare 5 to 50. The delay could be in the pedal to master cylinder linkage. I'll take a look in a few days.