Has anybody done a rear shock replacement on a 2016+ CX5 themselves. I was hoping it was going to be as easy as other cars I've done but it really looks like I need to remove the rear coil spring before I can get to the bottom nut holding the shock on. How did you do it?
2016+ CX-5 DIY Rear Shock Replacement
- Thread starter mikedt
- Start date
I have NOT done this on my 2018 AWD - but took a look. I would attempt to get the rear shock out without removing the coil spring. You can definitely get to the nut - and it appears the lower stud might also be removed.
Sorry, I can't be 100% positive, but think there is enough room to move the strut off the lower stud and out with the coil spring in-place. Place a jack under the lower control arm and see if changing the height and angle makes this possible.
Worst case: Use a jack under the lower control arm to control the release of the coil spring. Remove the lower sway bar link bolt and the lower control arm bolt from the knuckle. You may not have to completely remove the spring to make enough room to pull out the shock- but at that point it will be easy to remove the spring.
Sorry, I can't be 100% positive, but think there is enough room to move the strut off the lower stud and out with the coil spring in-place. Place a jack under the lower control arm and see if changing the height and angle makes this possible.
Worst case: Use a jack under the lower control arm to control the release of the coil spring. Remove the lower sway bar link bolt and the lower control arm bolt from the knuckle. You may not have to completely remove the spring to make enough room to pull out the shock- but at that point it will be easy to remove the spring.
I've done this job. Its easy. The hardest part is choosing a good aftermarket brand or getting decent (non Mazda) top strut mounts.
The rear shock lower bolt wont come out with the spring in situ but that is easily removed by (carefully) lowering the control arm (slowly on extra jacks perhaps).
IMO the factory MK1 AWD handling is superb without oversteer or understeer therefore cannot be improved with Eibach springs.
Whilst in there the rear sway bar link is a cheap part: top bolt likely needs splitting to remove but new fitment can be done with a wrench.
The rear shock lower bolt wont come out with the spring in situ but that is easily removed by (carefully) lowering the control arm (slowly on extra jacks perhaps).
IMO the factory MK1 AWD handling is superb without oversteer or understeer therefore cannot be improved with Eibach springs.
Whilst in there the rear sway bar link is a cheap part: top bolt likely needs splitting to remove but new fitment can be done with a wrench.
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200955
I did this about 5 months back and I used Bilstein as a replacement. They are claimed to be the original supplier for Mazda. I went one step further and replaced the upper mount as mine were showing signs of deterioration on the tops from salt. All parts were ordered from RockAuto and the price was better than anywhere else including shipping.
N7turbo
2023 CX-5 2.5T ... 2024 MX-5 RF GT
Mazda does not use Bilstein. I read actually that they are KYB. Should probably do more research to confirm.
Rockauto shows KYB GR2/Excel G with the cast aluminum upper mount included. I also remember reading that KYB is OEM for Mazda struts/shocks. The Rockauto description mentions them being made on the same OE assembly lines with same materials.
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200955
Actually they do indeed use both brands and both are excellent choices. Due to suspension design and availability I chose Bilstein which I've used exstensively in the past - not much price difference either.
