Subbing for what you figure out. I think every Mazda 5 owner has the same problem/concern about the vehicle’s ability to be loaded down with stuff. The first gen was worse, but the second gen got slightly stiffer springs for the back. Many first gen owners have swapped out the springs for the newer 2nd gen version for an improvement.
Everything I’ve seen just shows results for lowering kits which isn’t something I’m interested in. Or air systems which are way More money than I’m interested in dropping into this car..... If I were going to spend thousands of dollars on it I’d probably just invest that money into a larger minivan that offers a lot more space, power, and a heavier suspension. I’m sure there’s an OEM spring out there somewhere that’s the same overall size but with a higher spring rate.
One thing I did run across while looking at this last year was helper air bags. They’re just cylindrical air bags which go inside the rear springs. Pump them up and they help support the spring and keep it from bottoming all the way out. I’ve read generally positive reviews on Sites like etrailer.... most of the negatives have to do with people having leaks from their connection points. That site doesn’t list a match for The mazda5, so we’d need to figure out what the interior space size is and then see if there’s a bag set which would fit that.
Here’s what the bags I’m talking about look like, and our 5 loaded up for vacation the last two years.
I’m started looking into it as soon as I read your information and saw your pictures. I like my “nerd suv” as I call it to my friends. When they see how convenient the sliding doors are for retrieving gear. They see the advantages of why I acquired it.
Thank you for responding to my inquiry!
Regards
I’m started looking into it as soon as I read your information and saw your pictures. I like my “nerd suv” as I call it to my friends. When they see how convenient the sliding doors are for retrieving gear. They see the advantages of why I acquired it.
Thank you for responding to my inquiry!
Regards
I addressed this issue with our 5 a couple years back by replacing the stock rear coils with CX7 rear coils. They're the same diameter, but slightly taller. This won't be the go-to solution for folks wanting to maintain stock ride height (or going lower), but that wasn't a concern for me. I added a strut spacer up front to level the ride height out and added some chunkier tires as well. I'm happy to report that I was able to haul just over 1,000lbs of topsoil (in bags) a couple of weeks ago. It was definitely sagging, but no rubbing or bottoming out!
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I addressed this issue with our 5 a couple years back by replacing the stock rear coils with CX7 rear coils. They're the same diameter, but slightly taller. This won't be the go-to solution for folks wanting to maintain stock ride height (or going lower), but that wasn't a concern for me. I added a strut spacer up front to level the ride height out and added some chunkier tires as well. I'm happy to report that I was able to haul just over 1,000lbs of topsoil (in bags) a couple of weeks ago. It was definitely sagging, but no rubbing or bottoming out!
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Didn't notice any difference in the rear after the springs other than everything sitting a bit higher — probably a good 2 inches. And yeah, just a direct spring swap using existing Mazda5 mounts. I eventually upgraded the rear shocks to KYB gas-a-just (for Mazda5) just because the stock ones finally let go. Feels much better now. I bought the 30mm front spacers off eBay (some seller in Russia). They sit on top of the strut — pretty easy install.
And thanks regarding the center caps! Yeah, they're Ford/Mazda — specifically from the B-series pickup. Had to drill and tap some holes in the wheels to screw them in as they don't snap to the hub in any way. Pretty happy with them as I don't have money right now for some decent alloy wheels.
I addressed this issue with our 5 a couple years back by replacing the stock rear coils with CX7 rear coils. They're the same diameter, but slightly taller.
Didn't notice any difference in the rear after the springs other than everything sitting a bit higher — probably a good 2 inches. And yeah, just a direct spring swap using existing Mazda5 mounts. I eventually upgraded the rear shocks to KYB gas-a-just (for Mazda5) just because the stock ones finally let go. Feels much better now. I bought the 30mm front spacers off eBay (some seller in Russia). They sit on top of the strut — pretty easy install.
Maybe the right lowering springs for a CX-7 might give you the capacity and height you desire.
Do you happen to know which springs you picked up? Seems there are about four part numbers across the years of CX7 with the newest being EG25-28-011H. Did you use the ones from the FWD, or AWD model? I don’t know that they’re actually different, but I assume the AWD model is heavier in the rear end and may have a beefier spring. Then again I know there are tons of things which want to differentiate by model or trim which make absolutely no difference in the end results.
Are they cylindrical/parallel, or tapered springs?
nothing wrong with steelies. It’s nice to have a wheel that can flex a little with bumps. Plus they’re only like $80/wheel
Yeah, I went with the coils from a 2012 CX7 AWD as the vehicle is heavier than the FWD (by a couple hundred pounds if I recall), so I figured the springs would be beefier. The springs are cylindrical — no tapering or anything. Like I said, I identical to the 5's springs, but taller.
So yeah! Hope you're able to find a solution. I imagine going with the lowering spring for the CX7 would be a great solution. Keep in mind the rear will probably ride a lot higher until the springs are able to settle a bit. But, might ride higher all around as they'll probably be much stiffer.
I addressed this issue with our 5 a couple years back by replacing the stock rear coils with CX7 rear coils. They're the same diameter, but slightly taller. This won't be the go-to solution for folks wanting to maintain stock ride height (or going lower), but that wasn't a concern for me. I added a strut spacer up front to level the ride height out and added some chunkier tires as well. I'm happy to report that I was able to haul just over 1,000lbs of topsoil (in bags) a couple of weeks ago. It was definitely sagging, but no rubbing or bottoming out!
View attachment 224606