Hello!

I bought a 2006 Mazda 5 with 100k miles on it for my wife. She is loving the car.
I took the car for a pre-purchase inspection and they said the car is in great condition BUT "Rear spring work is recommended, Estimate work $300".

My main questions/concerns on day 2 of having the car:

1) Maintenance schedule: I read the manual and there are 2 schedules there, but none of them goes beyond 100k miles, what should I follow? Is there any schedule you guys recommend?

2) Regarding the problem reported in the PPI; I CAN feel the noise coming from the rear suspension, and I would believe I can feel it in the front too. I call the dealer again for them to put in simple words what this work they recommend is and this is what I got:

"The rubber support on the strut needs to be replaced" And they also mentioned something about... welding? maybe?

I hate noise suspensions, if the work is easy and there is a how to I can get the parts and do it myself. Any recommendations about what their recommendation and how to address it?

Any good site with OEM parts?

Thanks!
R.

 

rod:
I don't have a 5 but your questions are not specific to the model.
Maintenance schedule: typically there is a severe duty and a light duty schedule in the manual. Most users should follow the severe duty schedule. Few, those with very long commutes on free flowing interstates can resort to the light duty schedule. Simply continue the schedule with the same intervals as leading up to 100K.

Your suspension: I gather that something bas happened to the car because the mechanic said it may even be necessary to weld something. That requires special equipment and skills.
I would get a second opinion and I would use a body shop for that opinion. I would ask them to show me the problem right there in the shop.

Rod, I have the feeling you are a novice in car mechanics. Most suspension work should be left to specialist because even if it is a bolt-on job you still need to align the wheels. They use laser equipment to get it right. This reminds me I need to get my 98 Protege aligned because I replaced the front struts...
If you want to get into working on cars start with proper cleaning and lubing, changing filters, oil and brake jobs.

Good luck!

 

SHOCKS! Shocking! Monroe shocks are good replacement.
READ: https://www.mazdaforum.com/forum/maz...garbage-28399/ and
https://www.mazdaforum.com/forum/maz...sorbers-22704/

Here for Suspension parts for 2006 Mazda 5: 2006 Mazda 5 Parts - PartsGeek

 

Thank you both.
I currently do all minor mechanic jobs on my cars: oil changes and filter changes, brakes, etc.
I have a mechanic friend which is going to check the car this week.
I'm not sure what the guy in the dealer was referring to with the "welding" part, but they told me the car can run fine as is, they just recommend to do the work for a better driving experience (the noise is not funny).

Thanks for the links!
R.

 

I was reading this TSB:

My 2007 Mazda 5 has very noisy suspension. Squeaking, crunching - JustAnswer

And between the possible causes I found one that MIGHT be what the tech in the dealer referred to:


"- The right rear coil spring has shifted in the spring seat rubber and/or upper spring pocket in the rear crossmember and causing the spring to rub against the crossmember. This noise will most likely occur with the rear seat occupied, and can sound like a knock when going over a bump or a rattle when driving at a steady speed over uneven road surfaces. The problem is the arc-welding bead in the spring pocket on the crossmember where it makes contact with the spring seat rubber is protruding too much, causing the spring seat rubber to be pushed out of position."

 

It seems to take a few years until the symptoms show.

Let us know what you find.