Another new guy with a Mazda 5

[Primergy]

Just rolled in the shop: 2006 Mazda 5 Sport - 5spd - 96k miles

This was a quick draw. Madame's 2000 Protege ES got rear ended big time on Thursday (parts anyone?), skimmed Craigslist on Friday, looked at this on Saturday.
A small soccer-mom van with a manual transmission, no other car we looked at later that day & on Sunday had a chance; price was pretty good as well.
Got money on Monday and drove it home yesterday evening.

It seems it only takes 5mins of research to find out the rear struts are a weak point as well as the pass. side engine mount.
Yup, both rears are weak/shot, the mount is just an empty rubber hull.
History shows van was parked for ~1yr in the past and going through it more thoroughly at home netted me a mouse-nest behind the car-jack, yuck!
So I started to take apart all paneling, carpet, 3d bench, scrubbing, cleaning, disinfecting. Prev. owner also had a dog (luckily just debris & some fur, nothing scratched, or ripped).

It is not a very productive day at work, I am instead looking for parts, upgrades and knowledge.
Somewhat unsatisfied with my strut options - asking for input here.

Cheers!

 

[FiftySix]

Welcome to the forum, Primergy.

 

[MZ5black]

Welcome! And congrats on the purchase. (2thumbs)

 

[Primergy]

All seats out, rear interior panels off, carpet out.. time for some cleaning.
There is quite some filth and cleaning bonds with the car.

Hm, what are those extra connectors on the rear fenders coming from the cable harness on each side?
I have the Sport version, most fancy features are missing. Thought about CD changer until I found it on both sides.

 

[Davicho]

All seats out, rear interior panels off, carpet out.. time for some cleaning.
There is quite some filth and cleaning bonds with the car.

Hm, what are those extra connectors on the rear fenders coming from the cable harness on each side?
I have the Sport version, most fancy features are missing. Thought about CD changer until I found it on both sides.

Man, if you have all that out, you may want to invest a little money and time on putting extra sound insulation back there to quiet the cabin down. I have not done it because I am lazy to pull all that stuff out but I know a few members have done it and they report a great improvement in quieting down the cabin from road noise. Just a suggestion.

 

[Primergy]

Hm, I was opting at a speaker upgrade in the back while I have the panels down.
Sadly the old school 6x9 Infinity speakers (with Emit tweeter) from the wrecked Protege wont fit, it's 6x8 of course...

It is a new car to us, my wife "kinda" wants to start driving it... sound insulation you say?! I'll look into it.
Best area is probably right over the wheel wells.

 

[pkthomas]

The plugs are possibly for the power siding door option not available here in North America.

Sent from my XT1032 using Tapatalk

 

[Davicho]

Hm, I was opting at a speaker upgrade in the back while I have the panels down.
Sadly the old school 6x9 Infinity speakers (with Emit tweeter) from the wrecked Protege wont fit, it's 6x8 of course...

It is a new car to us, my wife "kinda" wants to start driving it... sound insulation you say?! I'll look into it.
Best area is probably right over the wheel wells.

Yes over the wheel wells and really anywhere else you can fit some. Make those 6x9 fit I'm sure you can trim a little sheet metal and retro fit them.

 

[Primergy]

Things that black carpet and upholstery hides very well is the fact that we bought the car from a Starbucks addict.
the shampooing and cleaning really came out brown/back with a strong coffee smell. Not to mention the residue from spills on other parts... brr

Yes over the wheel wells and really anywhere else you can fit some. Make those 6x9 fit I'm sure you can trim a little sheet metal and retro fit them.

I might do that! Time to get the small angle grinder and Foredom drill thingy hooked up.

Edit:
Meanwhile... insurance came back, we can buy back the wrecked Protege for just $200.
We bought the car 5yrs ago for $3300 (after tax & fees). Insurance gave us $3800 (whistle)
Parts anyone?

 

[Davicho]

Things that black carpet and upholstery hides very well is the fact that we bought the car from a Starbucks addict.
the shampooing and cleaning really came out brown/back with a strong coffee smell. Not to mention the residue from spills on other parts... brr


I might do that! Time to get the small angle grinder and Foredom drill thingy hooked up.

Edit:
Meanwhile... insurance came back, we can buy back the wrecked Protege for just $200.
We bought the car 5yrs ago for $3300 (after tax & fees). Insurance gave us $3800 (whistle)
Parts anyone?

Heck yeah! Buy the damn thing back and makes some more dough on parting it out. Then when all possible parts are sold, sell it to the wrecking yard for another $80-$200

 

[Primergy]

Done with cleaning. It was a on & off thing in the evening hours.
All funky smells are gone, the rear is still in pieces as I wait for some aluminum backed butyl for the fenders.

Googling for some wood to use in the rear floor. I have no intention to put in the 3rd row. We are a three ppl household.
There is this tough stuff Westfalia uses on their trailer beds. I just can't think of / find the name. GNNN

Edit... AH, Phenolic Birch Plywood, now I have to find a source.
Should hold up MUCH better to moisture than MDF.

 

[Primergy]

Merry Christmas stupid Mazda!
Replaced all three engine mounts with Rocar ones (set for $140 on Ebay).

Passenger side was baad. As a result of the increased wobble and play, the trans. mount also had some considerable cracks. Rear one seemed good but it's just a 10min job when you already have the car in the air and the trans supported.

I rattled and pulled and wiggled and inspected that stupid mount cover + airbox assembly... until I realized there is a rubber loop in the front (doh)
Maybe it was the xmas hangover.
Midway my ancient craptastinc Allied Hydraulics jack gave up the ghost (valve failure), fiddled with the scissor jack for the rest of the repair. Not fun getting the car down from two jackstands with that.

Day & night difference when shifting, especially up&down between 1st & 2nd gear.

 

[phunky.buddha]

Welcome to the site! Factory mounts suck.