2008 Mazda 5 Maintenance/Build Thread

I figure it's time to start a thread on it.  We've been so busy with the holidays and some minor traveling, haven't had a chance to do much to the car.  That changed the past couple of days.

Here's where I was asking about them.....

This is where it decided to not start two days after owning it  Still haven't figured out what the heck happened, but it's been fine so far.

So, what have I done so far:

Headlight bulbs - When I got the car, I noticed the driver's headlight looked more like a flashlight. Just a tube of light and the passenger side wouldn't light up more than about 3 feet in front of the car.  The PO had added a small LED strip under the lights on the front bumper and the wiring was, well...., suspect.  So, I bought new bulbs and an H7 connector to fix the issue.  On the passenger side, it was a weird plug with just spade ends jammed into it and the LED's were twisted together.  On the driver's side, the original plug was there, with those clamp/splice additions for the LED's.  Got the LED's removed and spent most of the day trying to figure out how to get the bail to hold the bulb in.  About 4:00 in the afternoon, I realized that Mazda uses H7 bulbs BUT put a different plug on it to fit the wiring harness plug.  Once I figured that out, got them all installed.  Much better.  I still need to find a factory plug end for the passenger side as it's using an H7 plug, but it works.

Rear Shocks - There was a definite creaking/groaning from the rear when driving.  I replaced the rear swaybar bushings which helped the creaking, but it was obvious the passenger side was the louder of the noises.  Quick order of some new KYB's and shock mounts from the rainforest bookstore and got them installed.  Nice and quiet now and rides much better.  The passenger shock was super stiff and the drivers side would take about 5 minutes to un-compress.  Still need to do the fronts, but I'm chasing some cold weather over the next couple of days and will probably do the fronts next weekend.

Deep Cleaning - As mentioned when asking about them, it was owned by a family traveling from Kansas. While the interior wasn't disgusting, there were obvious spills and scuffs throughout from a road trip with kids.  So, the wife and I spent the day vacuuming, steam cleaning and detailing the interior.  Smells much better now.

Next will be normal maintenance stuff like cabin filter, probably plugs, oil change (so I know what's in it), etc.  I'd like to swap to 16's for a little better ride comfort.  But, the tires are new in the front and almost new in the back, although different brands, so I can't use that as an excuse... :)

Here it is the day I got it home.

-Rob

Sharp looking little van!

Front control arms made a big difference too.  It's pretty obvious when the big rearward bushings start getting worn out.

In reply to rob_lewis :

I promise I'm mailing you the box next week!!

Javelin said:

In reply to rob_lewis :

I promise I'm mailing you the box next week!!

No worries!!!  It's a busy time of year and, apparently, you've been shopping for P-cars....

-Rob

Javelin sent me a bunch of parts (because he's awesome)!!  However, next on my list was the clunk in the front right.  Basically going over any bumps at slow speed, there's a definite clunk sound.  I had already jacked up that side and rocked the wheel back and forth to figure out where the clunk was coming from, but everything was nice and tight.   hmmmmm

Well, I knew that since the rear shocks were dead, the fronts were probably just as bad, so I ordered new KYB strut assemblies and went ahead and snagged two lower control arms.  Was sick this week with covid, but the weather cleared up so I tackled the struts first.

Did the passenger side first.  Getting the shock off the spindle was a bugger.  Ended up having to finally stand on it to get it to pop off after beating on it for 30 minutes. 

Got the new strut installed and buttoned up. 

Switched to the driver's side and the shock came out with about 5 whacks.  Went much quicker. 

Took it for a drive and while it does seem to ride a bit better, the clunk is definitely there.  It's only from the passenger side and since they look like they might be a challenge, I'm thinking I"ll do just the passenger side first and see if the clunk disappears.  Too late today for me to tackle it and I'm tired.  Hoping it's the LCA clunking.  If not, I'll be very baffled.

-Rob

Sway bar links?

Control arms weren't too bad. I think I had to undo the passenger side motor mount and jack up that side of the engine a bit to get the bolt out of the front.

Yep I'd guess at end links, unless it's the bottom balljoint (but I'd expect more symptoms).  

For the bottom arm on the passenger side yep the AC compressor (or it's shield, I can't recall) gets in the way, either move the engine or drop the AC compressor (noting the stretch belt for the compressor).

For separating spindle / knuckle from the strut, I use a scissor jack wedged between the two and it normally just slides off, if needs be a wedge type ball joint splitter to open the slot in the spindle.

Looks nice and tidy, and a helluva lot cleaner than my 3..

I have a 2009 Mazda 5, and went thru trying to locate my clunk a few months ago. Mine ended up being the sway bar bushings. 

I'm going to tackle it in a bit, just waiting for it to warm up a smidge. 33 is too cold for me, but should be 65 today. 
Sway bar end link on that side didn't have any play in it. I'm sure they're original, but I would have assumed it would have been loose to cause the clunk sound. 
Bushings will be easier than the lca and I have new ones for the front.  Maybe I'll do those first and see. 
Just wish I could figure it out when I have it up on jack stands instead of throwing parts at it  :(

-Rob

My wife and I have owned two of these. One manual (which was way more fun than it should have been) and one auto. They're great little vehicles. Before I read that you replaced the rear shocks, I was going to suggest you check them out. One of the rear shocks on our second one actually broke in half at one point. Luckily, they were easy to swap out and the KYB's were affordable.

Be weary of tire wear on these things, especially in the rear. They tend to suffer from excessive camber wear on the inside of the rear tires. The theory back in the day was that because they put a heavier minivan body onto a sedan (Mazda 3) suspension, the extra weight (especially with kids loaded in the back) would sag the rear a little bit and add some negative camber. I have no idea if that's been debunked at this point, but it made sense at the time. 

Other than tires and rear shocks, keep an eye out for worn engine mounts and you should be good to go. These things are actually pretty cool and rather reliable. I always enjoyed ours. 

I'll keep an eye out on the rear tire wear.

Turns out it was the sway bar bushing.  That thing is a challenge to get to.  Ended up with like 4 extensions and got it from the top.  Much easier that way and my son was here to help get the bushing swapped since his hands are smaller.  NO clunk!!  I still need to do the driver's side, but it's quiet now, so no big rush to do the other side.

Just glad I didn't have to do the lca's.  That was going to be a chore and I'm worn out from being sick and working all day yesterday.

I can't believe a worn bushing would cause that much noise.

-Rob