Squeaky suspension returns - what's with that?

[Huttcraft]

I've had the well-known squeaky suspension issue, but in 2007 had the dealer do the bushings per the TSB. But the squeaking was back within about 6 months, and has been back every 6 months since then. The dealer tells me they just need to lubricate and all's well, but obviously this is a temporary fix. I had it in in November but the squeaking is back already -- the lube didn't make it through the winter.

I thought the new bushings spec'd in the TSB were supposed to resolve this issue.

I'm still on my dealer's scheduled service plan so the car's back at the dealer about every 6 months anyway, but next year that's over. I really don't want to take it in at this regularity just to deal with a car that sounds like 6 kids on grandma's bed.

Has anyone else seen the squeaking return after getting the bushings done? Should I be suspicious that my dealer didn't do the job?

Dave

 

[$chocker]

I wouldn't be too suspicious that they didn't do the job; the fix just isn't very effective. It seemed to work for a little while for me, but the squeaking just came back. I've just learned to live with it, and now I'm out of warranty anyway. If it starts squeaking in WARM weather, I'll go after it again.

 

[skyhawk]

It's possible the clamp holding the bushing is torqued too high.. Thereby squishing out all the grease too early in the season. Just a theory.


My bushing was installed in november. So far no squeaking sound yet.

 

[AIMWO4]

Mine came back... I am resigned to it until it warms up and I can crawl under there myself.

 

[rscottg]

My Mazda 5 has yet to develop this problem, but I know that my 2000 Protege had the bushings changed/and or lubricated more than a few times.

I wonder if an expensive synthetic grease would do a better job. Mind you, I have no idea which grease they use - or if they do. But they did state that they took the bushings off and applied grease.

 

[rodslinger]

I've been having the same problem since we've owned the 06 model. I just got it back from the dealer again Friday. This time the "official" repair was to lube the CV axle splines. I'm sure they only put that down to get assistance from Mazda as they probably wouldn't get paid for doing the same job six times. My car is also at 62,000 miles so well out of warranty. But they covered it anyway. I didn't give them much choice in the matter.

I just left and told them I'd see them in six months so they can fix it again.

 

[Katner]

I've also had suspension issues, though covered under warranty. Frankly I think the five is too heavy and too-high of a center of gravity for this suspension. After I got my issues fixed I basically decided that I WILL be buying new aftermarket (performance) shocks as soon as I hit my first issue post-warranty.

Personally I would just avoid the hassle of putting the stock parts back on if you're past warranty. It will definitely be cheaper in the long run to go with some good performance gear and never have a problem again.

 

[rodslinger]

Arrgh...

Didn't even take six months. Took about a week and the squeaks are back. I waited until yesterday to take it back again as I wanted to note the weather, temps and conditions the problem happens in. Now we have 64,000 miles and they are STILL trying to figure it out.

I think I figured out why it keeps getting mis-diagnosed. Primarily they aren't bothering to listen well. Jim Ellis Mazda in Marietta, GA has never been real good at listening and conveying the information given to the techs. Secondly I figured out that if you jack the front of the car up and completely unload the suspension then put it back on the ground the squeaks go away for a few days.

Everytime they service something the noise naturally goes away for a few days from the car merely being up in the air and the suspension unloaded.

Regarding them not listening I have a perfect example. I took my 3 in one time for a rattle in the rear suspension when going over bumps. They returned the car two days later and said the jack was loose... WTF!. I drug the service manager out there and took him for a ride. The first pothole we hit there was a loud clank. After removing the rear wheels they find loose brake pads which were covered under an TSB.

That's how this dealer has been with EVERY thing I have ever taken a vehicle in for. And they wonder why I don't give them service dollars. So I can PAY them to screw something up?

 

[AwaKeN]

3 words: Change your dealer. Go somewhere else and let them correct the problem.

 

[rodslinger]

3 words: Change your dealer....

It has been to another location before. And unfortunately the next closest dealer is another Jim Ellis Mazda.

As a former technician I think the biggest problem is they don't give the techs enough diagnosis time on it. I know I wouldn't want to spend an hour or two trying to find the problem if I was only getting paid about .3

 

[rodslinger]

Got it back after them having it four days. According to the phone conversation, they lubed the sway bar busings (again), and the control arm bushings (again).... But this time they decided to change the left front strut also. The work orders only show they changed the strut and nothing done to the bushings. I think they are leaving things out of the work orders on purpose so Mazda will be more likely to reimburse them for the "new" repair.

So we'll see how it turns out.

 

[Esprit]

Finally, is my turn now. My 2008 M5 with 31000km start the noise today. Sound like is coming from the left rear sway bar busing. I better bring my 5 to the dealer asap. I thought Mazda fix the problem for 08. But.....