Stabilizer bar bushing problems?

[Snagjim]

I want to know if anyone else has had this happen:

Bought my 2007 5 MT GT (Cdn spec) new, and have had it for 37 months (warranty was 36). It has about 63,000 km (warranty was 60k).

For the second time the rear stabilizer bar bushings have had to be replaced. The first was at 39,000 km, and was done at the same time as the fronts, to fix the chronic (and well-known here) low-temperature scrunch and groan. That fix worked.

Now, just after the warranty is gone, a new, subtle groaning from the back. This time it was quieter, and even at warmer temps (it was as warm as 10-12C when I first noticed it). It was most obvious over speed bumps in parking lots, and had I not lost radio reception in the parking garage I might never have noticed it.

So into the dealer (same one I've always used), with the strong suggestion that this oughtta be fixed on warranty. No dice, they say. Call Mazda Canada, I say. We did, they say, and they won't cover it. "Lucky" for me, the "new" service writer had failed to call me for authorization of the repair before they did it, so the dealer ate the $100+ labour bill, and I only paid for the parts ($16).

But to fail again after 24,000 km (and about 15 months) is totally unacceptable.

Any others have this happen?
Any others have better luck with Mazda Canada?

 

[skyhawk]

I have the 2006GT... bushing replaced and it is the 2nd winter with the new bushings.. no noise yet.. I only have 55k or so in the odometer. If the parts are the same and the grease used the same, maybe there is a difference in the way the mechanics did the tsb.. After the warranty, I plan on replacing the bushings myself after the warranty...

Question: was the old bushing really worn out? or was it just 'dried up'..
I plan on 'loosening' the clamps and applying grease somehow to the bushings.. before the next winter.

 

[OceanPearl5]

Could be bushings again they take 20 min to change. I changed mine the second time and when I did I cleaned the stabalizer bar and put some Silicon Lubricante with Teflon from GM on the bar and in the new bushing and it has
been quiet for 6 months. Also look at rear shocks, common failure. Any oil leaking down the side of shock is a good sign they are failed. I installed Monroe Sensitracs. Lifetime warranty.
The rear end is quiet and handles well again. 68,000 km's.

 

[elbastardocalvo]

What is a reasonable labor duration for replacing both sway bar busings? I just had them go bilaterally, 1 1/2 months after the warranty expires (29k miles on my 2007 GT). I am hoping that Mazda will pick up the repair, as I took the car in last year, TSB in hand, when they first started squeaking, and was told there was nothing wrong. That said, I should probably prepare to pick up the cost, just in case (glad that the parts are so cheap).

 

[flcruising]

If you have tools and ramps you can probably change them in 20 minutes. I lubed the front bushing with lithium grease a few months back because of a squeak. Those were much harder to get to than the rears are. Why not just poke your head under there and see for yourself?

 

[Davebert]

Greasable bushings

Does anyone know the size of the front and rear sway bars? The rear busing was replaced last year and I did not get any squeaking last winter. Now with the colder weather the squeaking has come back. I was thinking of replacing the front and the back this spring with greaseable bushings like this:

They are under $20 per set, I think it well worth it, no need to remove the bushings to grease them.

 

[flcruising]

I asked the same thing Davebert, but nobody knew. You could always put a slide caliper on it and check, I wasn't that curious as lithium is free as long as you have a can of it already like me.

The problem with urethane bushings is they require lubing. You will probably be greasing them a couple times per year.

 

[Davebert]

I couldn't find anything on the M5 but lots of info on the M3. These are the numbers for the M3 rear is .79" (20mm), front is .83" (21mm), might be the same for the M5.

 

[erik111]

I had found the same bushings, and was going to get them as well. I asked on here if anyone knew the stock bar sizes, after searching, and got one reply that said they are 20 and 21mm. The Energy greasable bushings don't come in 20 or 21mm sizes.

He said he found it by searching but I never did. He may have gotten his info from the mazda 3 forums and is assuming they are the same, which they likely are. I asked at the dealership and they didn't know because all they deal with is part numbers.

So I bought the Energy non-greasable bushings but haven't gotten around to installing them yet.