Source for quality full CX-5 front strut assembly at reasonable price?

[1dhscott]

I had to replace the front struts and rear shocks on a 2018 Mazda CX5 with a 2.5 liter engine. There are very few options in Canada...unfortunately, I used FCS stuff and they rattle and rattle; really poor quality. Does anyone know who makes a full front strut assembly for regular use - that is I don't want to lower the vehicle or race it....Mazda pricing for these parts are truly terrible and they don't sell a full front strut assembly, just the various parts.

 

[Shortafoot]

Hello there. In my experience I will NEVER use "Quick Struts" again. I used nothing but KYB which most agree are very good units but none of the cars I have had Quick struts installed on rode as good afterwards. On one car, I had quick struts installed and when they puked out, I bought OEM fronts off a junker and used the OEM spring with a new KYB strut and all was well. My tech loves the quick struts because the doesnt have to break a strut down but I told him my experience and he said hey "you paying the extra shoptime". If you are gonna use quick struts then I'd still use KYB.

 

[Mazdiod2]

On one car, I had quick struts installed and when they puked out, I bought OEM fronts off a junker and used the OEM spring with a new KYB strut and all was well.

What brand on these?

 

[Shortafoot]

Quick Strut is a generic term used for the complete strut and spring assembly. KYB, Monroe, Gabriel, etc make them.

 

[Mazdiod2]

Quick Strut is a generic term used for the complete strut and spring assembly. KYB, Monroe, Gabriel, etc make them.

True, there are many brands. I was curious about which one you used in this instance.

 

[Shortafoot]

True, there are many brands. I was curious about which one you used in this instance.

KYB. I dabbled with Gabriel and Monroe but always came back to KYB. I did notice that Bilstein makes some front struts for the CX-5 so I will be buying those for my CX-5's next time for struts.

 

[Mazdiod2]

I've gotten KYB. It seems like I've heard they might be an OEM supplier, at least for some asian brands. So the springs they supply with the quickstrut are sub-par?

 

[ruthrj]

2013~2016: Post in thread 'CX-5 Strut and Shock replacement'

Nov 14, 2020

I’m very impressed with the build quality of the KYB complete strut assembly. At just over $100 a strut, I think these were a no brainer.

• ruthrj

• 

See post here for a side by side comparison of my old OEM strut to a KYB complete assembly. I got to enjoy KYB shocks and struts for a little over 30k miles before my car was totaled. No complaints, 10/10 recommend that brand. Hope the price isn’t outrageous compared to what I paid back in 2020. Pretty sure I replaced all the shocks and struts back then for just over $300 but those were different times : (

 

[RedBaron]

See post 35

Post 35 where?

 

[ruthrj]

Post 35 where?

Try tapping or clicking on the thread quoted in my post above. I haven’t see a link presented in that format yet but it works.

 

[RedBaron]

Try tapping or clicking on the thread quoted in my post above. I haven’t see a link presented in that format yet but it works.

(Just click on the post number to get the link to that exact post):

2013~2016: Post in thread 'CX-5 Strut and Shock replacement'

Nov 14, 2020

I’m very impressed with the build quality of the KYB complete strut assembly. At just over $100 a strut, I think these were a no brainer.

• ruthrj

• 

 

[ruthrj]

(Just click on the post number to get the link to that exact post):

2013~2016: Post in thread 'CX-5 Strut and Shock replacement'

Nov 14, 2020

I’m very impressed with the build quality of the KYB complete strut assembly. At just over $100 a strut, I think these were a no brainer.

• ruthrj

• 

Hah, much better. Corrected so it brings you straight there

 

[Lazy2.5]

I just ordered KYB quick struts (just the fronts) for my Mazda 6. They call them "strut-plus."

I have 311,000KM on my original struts with no urgent need to replace them. I'm just looking to restore handling performance and steering feel in the front axle.

 

[Lazy2.5]

I've gotten KYB.

How were they?

 

[N7turbo]

2013~2016: Post in thread 'CX-5 Strut and Shock replacement'

Nov 14, 2020

I’m very impressed with the build quality of the KYB complete strut assembly. At just over $100 a strut, I think these were a no brainer.

• ruthrj

• 

See post here for a side by side comparison of my old OEM strut to a KYB complete assembly. I got to enjoy KYB shocks and struts for a little over 30k miles before my car was totaled. No complaints, 10/10 recommend that brand. Hope the price isn’t outrageous compared to what I paid back in 2020. Pretty sure I replaced all the shocks and struts back then for just over $300 but those were different times : (

I believe you were the one that said you couldn't tell a difference in performance between them and the originals? It's too bad no one offers an upgrade for these cars. Are you listening, Koni? I emailed their support to tell them we need the Actives for the 2nd gen CX-5 a few months ago.

Unfortunately they won't work for those of us with cars lowered 2 inches, but everyone else would benefit.

 

[ColoradoDriver]

I ultimately did OE struts and re-used the spring. I've seen folks like @ruthrj say they had good experiences with the KYB quick struts, but on the same token seen plenty of folks say they hate them.

 

[Lazy2.5]

I ultimately did OE struts and re-used the spring. I've seen folks like @ruthrj say they had good experiences with the KYB quick struts, but on the same token seen plenty of folks say they hate them.

What's not good about them?

I recently purchased them. Still gathering more feedback.

 

[ruthrj]

I believe you were the one that said you couldn't tell a difference in performance between them and the originals? It's too bad no one offers an upgrade for these cars. Are you listening, Koni? I emailed their support to tell them we need the Actives for the 2nd gen CX-5 a few months ago.

Unfortunately they won't work for those of us with cars lowered 2 inches, but everyone else would benefit.

Yeah, they were great. Over tens of thousands of miles it’s hard to tell how much your suspension feel changes. I drove at least 40k miles on the new suspension with the KYB struts and shocks and they held up well. Fixed body roll in tight turns, car didn’t dip while braking.

Negative comments if I remember right seemed to be aimed at other brands like Monroe (super soft). I don’t recall any negative reviews on KYB over the years.

Also note, I can only vouch for Gen 1. I have no idea how KYB feels for Gen 2 as my second gen suspension is more stiff. I’ll have to do a cost comparison way down the road but I wouldn’t be surprised if KYB is the OEM supplier.

 

[N7turbo]

The 2nd gen rides softer than 1st. I've had both.

 

[ColoradoDriver]

What's not good about them?

I recently purchased them. Still gathering more feedback.

Probably not specific to KYB, but change in ride height can be one, other reports of just not feeling as nice. @ruthrj might be right, maybe it was Monroe that was getting all the negative feedback.