Are late models no longer suspension lemons?

[jyg]

I've had a 2009 Mazda 5 for a few years now. I got the cupped tires, misalignments, clunks and bonks around 50k. I had originally thought the noise was due to undercarriage shielding since all the noises seemed to start all at once. But I've been learning its the usual pattern for all of the insufficient quality and durability in Mazda 5 suspension parts, particularly in the rear. This weekend I'll be changing out rear struts and mounts. No biggie, about $150 for parts, doing the work myself. But I've also read about the cascading issues that go with this:, sway bar links, sway bar bushings, spring seats and so on. And, the front is not immune either.

Separately, this are all small things with regard to time and money. But add it up you're looking towards $2000, and repeating it. partpcilarly with the fact that all this will reoccur (hard suspension geometries?) means this car is a lemon, as far as I am concerned.

What about later models? Do folks with 2011, 2012, 2013 with more than 45k have the same issues?

I really like the Mazda 5 platform and form factor. But $2000 every couple of years in extra maintenance costs isn't worth it.

jyg

 

[kw_da]

I think it's just the initial quality of the parts.

It's strange - I have a 2006, 70k+ miles, but don't have the uneven wear or cupping on the rear wheels that a lot have - they wear fast, but even. I do rotate @3-6k miles. I had to replace the front struts (leak), but am on original rear shocks.

 

[Secondtyme]

I also have an 06 which clunks and clanks more from the back than the front. Shocks have been replaced once (not by me) My rear tires do not wear funny at all, not sure how that is but I'm not looking THAT gift horse in the mouth. Mine has 126K on it right now BTW. There are longer term fixes for the rear suspension woes, and I don't think they have to be repeated once done.

 

[jyg]

I also have an 06 which clunks and clanks more from the back than the front. Shocks have been replaced once (not by me) My rear tires do not wear funny at all, not sure how that is but I'm not looking THAT gift horse in the mouth. Mine has 126K on it right now BTW. There are longer term fixes for the rear suspension woes, and I don't think they have to be repeated once done.

Which "longer term fixes" are you referring to? Replacing with Mazda 3 parts or 2012+ Mazda 5 parts?

Which makes me wondering of the 2013 and later model years have the problems solves from the start...

 

[phunky.buddha]

My BC coilovers (still considered bottom of the barrel by most, but decent) came with all new mounting hardware that replaces a LOT of the factory trash in the shock/spring assemblies. I picked them up under $1k, but the normal shipped price from most vendors is right at $1000. New springs, isolators, upper/lower mounts etc- it's a decent investment once you start adding up replacement costs of OEM hardware.

 

[tinboi479]

Just go with aftermarket shocks such as Koni. That's what I'm running on my 3. The 3 also comes with bad shocks that are usually blown around the 50-60k mark. Maybe around 500-600 from autoanything.com no point replacing oem shocks

 

[Secondtyme]

If you have trouble with the OE suspension on a first generation 5 (MY2006-2008 or 9) you can remedy most of them by fitting stock suspension parts from a second gen 5. Check out username Davicho' progress on his (now traded in) 06 which he fitted with rear suspension stuff from a 2012.

 

[Davicho]

If you have trouble with the OE suspension on a first generation 5 (MY2006-2008 or 9) you can remedy most of them by fitting stock suspension parts from a second gen 5. Check out username Davicho' progress on his (now traded in) 06 which he fitted with rear suspension stuff from a 2012.

Yup check out my old thread on this and I hate to high-jack it but if you're interested I have a 2012 rear sway bar complete with bushings, brackets and end links for sale $50 free shipping.

 

[DougNuts]

No biggie, about $150 for parts, doing the work myself. But I've also read about the cascading issues that go with this:, sway bar links, sway bar bushings, spring seats and so on. And, the front is not immune either.

Separately, this are all small things with regard to time and money. But add it up you're looking towards $2000, and repeating it.

Where does the $2000 number come from? I bought my 2010 van used with 47k miles and have put ~10k miles on it. The insides of the tires are worn and were when I bought it.

Knowing that these vans have a lot of rear suspension travel, which causes toe change, I added 2012+ rear springs and Koni Yellows. That was around $350 and the van handles much better and doesn't have the large amplitude of suspension travel it used to. Throw on some new sway bar bushings for around $15 and I think it'll be good for quite a long time.

While there is room for improvement, tire wear is typically the price you pay for the handling that this platforms gives us. Note, I'm not saying that the early vans weren't worse for wear, just that it's relatively easy and cheap to fix - which is why were here.

 

[Rally Man]

If you decide to change almost all the bushings to poly ones, plus shocks and other items yes you can reach those number$.


Energy suspension FSB bushing - $21.00
Rear Trailing Arm Bushing $31.00
Corksport rear camber arms $200.00
Corksport rear swaybar end links $100.00
Some RSB kit can reach 200.00+ (JBR for example)
Front wishbone lower front bushing $60.00
Front wishbone lower rear bushing $60.00
Rear TCA outer bushing $63.00
Rear lower trailing arm bushing $125.00
Koni sport shocks $600.00
rear suspension upper seat $28.00
H&R springs (eh why not lol) $255.00

So you have about $1700 worth of parts not installed on your car yet. Is it overkill on some stuff? Sure is! But for the most part the little parts to replace aren't that expensive. PITA for replace some of them though!

 

[Silentnoise713]

Where does the $2000 number come from? I bought my 2010 van used with 47k miles and have put ~10k miles on it. The insides of the tires are worn and were when I bought it.

Knowing that these vans have a lot of rear suspension travel, which causes toe change, I added 2012+ rear springs and Koni Yellows. That was around $350 and the van handles much better and doesn't have the large amplitude of suspension travel it used to. Throw on some new sway bar bushings for around $15 and I think it'll be good for quite a long time.

While there is room for improvement, tire wear is typically the price you pay for the handling that this platforms gives us. Note, I'm not saying that the early vans weren't worse for wear, just that it's relatively easy and cheap to fix - which is why were here.

+1 Everything he said and asked.

I suspect the $2K is an overestimate and includes all possible repairs + shop hours to restore to original like new condition. Shop hours can cost more than the part alone. Really it is only a few minor (cheap and easy) parts. This car is NOT for everyone. If the owner is not somewhat knowledgeable and/or handy, it can make the casual owner weary and costly.

That said, any newer model of the same car will be better (in terms of refinement) but also more costly since it is a newer car.