Our Mazda 5 has been a great family vehicle, but it's showing it's age. Usually in the mornings there are some creaky noises as the bushings in the suspension warm up. But recently it's just constantly making noises on every bump. So i'm going to replace every bushing I can find on the front where all the noise is coming from.

Any advice? Should I buy all OEM from mazdaparts.com or anyone know a reputable company making decent bushings which should be quieter.

I found these, https://psbushings.com/product-category/mazda/mazda-5/, anyone used them?

 

Keep in mind ALL polyurethane bushings while much better then rubber they need servicing much more often than standard oem or aftermarket replacements.
Also most have a higher durometer rating which can affect the ride feeling slightly more notable. This can translate to increased noise in the suspension and also a notable harder feeling when going over bumps in the road.

The term "PROBLEM SOLVING" is somewhat misleading as they only solve the problem of replacing worn out bushings which is affect the same thing you would do if it were OEM or OEM aftermarket specification replacements.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I wonder if I should just replace them all using OEM stuff... I mean it lasted 10 years without much creaks.

Or are there after market bushes that are just as good and likely quiet?

 

Looking here...

https://www.mazda-parts.com/v-2010-m...ont-suspension

I can only see the sway bar bushes that I can buy. I wonder if this might be the lower control arm bushes as well. But they might be a royal pain to replace. I don't have a press.

 

This is an often misconception. Does not matter what platform you have miles on your vehicle. OEM or aftermarket none are going to last as long as with the miles on your chassis and suspension unless you do a complete replacement of parts in all areas. Thios also includes that very seldom service frame to body bushings. So unless you are going to spend several hundred dollars (closer to a grand) on part and then about 15 hours of labor you are never going to get parts you last as long as when you vehicle was newer.

There has NEVER been any actual testing that OEM parts vs OEM specifications quality replacement parts! And good reason anyone that firt looked at doing such a study/test realized the information in print by the aftermarket manufactures was right there! OEM specification or better is what most are!

And yes I read on internet portals like forum all the time that people post aftermarket parts are not as good as OEM. The funny thing many of those OEM are manufactured in many cases by the same companies they manufacture OEM parts for the auto manufacture.

There is a thread that came up a day or so ago where a NEW member post a mount that failed soon after he changed it. He said it was an aftermarket part and compared the picture to a NEW OEM part. Made me literally ROLMAO so much so that I posted the picture in the shop and ask what even the kid that sweeps the shop noticed. You should go find that thread. I am sure anyone that is a DIY can see the joke?


I do want to mention because there are always a few that will argue and debate my responses, there are BAD quality parts out there in the aftermarket world. It is up to the individual to look at whom the supplier is and if the discounted price is worth the frustration in a cheaply manufactured part. The simplest suggestion is if it comes in a generic box with only a part number that would be your first clue of perhaps not a OEM specification manufacture part? The other is a colorful box with a company no one has ever read or herd about. Look at the boxing does it say which country the part was made in or are you not reading that it says boxed or packaged in instead?

 

Soooo OEM is fine then?