Hey Mazda 5ers,
I am a fourth year medical student about to start ophthalmic surgical training residency for four years. My wife and I have three kids under 4 years old and we have owned our 2010 Mazda 5 Touring for about 2 years now. We are a one car family, and I mostly commute on a bicycle to and from the hospital. We are starting to run into some problems (both new and old) and with close to $400K in student loans from med school and a large family, I am left trying to figure this all out on my own. We live in Northern Arizona and the stealership is terrible up here. Lousy service and even worse diagnostic and mechanical skills. I want to start doing my own repairs as much as possible because of their terrible abilities. I'm definitely a rookie when it comes to cars, but I'm a DIY type personality and would love the mentoring help from the experts on this forum.
Problem #1
From the day we bought our 5 there has been a front end noise that has been very mysterious. Stealer "can't find anything wrong". Bull. When I start the car and begin to drive I hear a "sliding" noise coming from the left front end that engages right around the gear shift from 1st to 2nd gear. The noise finishes and I can sort of feel a vibration of some sort in the gas pedal as I'm accelerating. This noise sometimes happens when turning incredibly sharp and accelerating at the same time. We have gone through several motor mounts (about 4-5 within the two years we have owned it) and have put on about 35K miles on it since ownership. I also had the tranny fluid changed when we bought it (noted to be dark at around 36K miles), and again just yesterday at 76K miles (again noted to be dark). There is definitely some play (delay from the time I press down on the pedal to when the car actually engages and speeds up, also clunking heard from the front end) in the drivetrain as I accelerate and especially going from a slow 1st gear. I have repeatedly asked them to look at the transmission and they said they did a "test" on it and everything checked out fine.
Problem #2
I also hear a squeak from the rear that I assume are bad sway bar bushings (I just replaced rear shocks three months ago).
Problem #3
Rear Brakes are at 1/32"
Problem #4
Power Steering fluid is dark
Problem #5
Engine Mounts are now bad again and need replacement (dealer wasn't sure which ones? Seriously thats what they told me...)
My goal is to try and fix Problems 2-5 and get to the bottom of #1 (not necessarily fix it). Can everyone pull it together for me and help me out. Links/tips/advice on how to do problems 2-5 would be greatly appreciated. I have a craftsman mechanics toolset and some jack stands. Anything else I can most likely find/purchase. Thanks guys. I'll be happy to return the favor one day when your eyes need it.
I am a fourth year medical student about to start ophthalmic surgical training residency for four years. My wife and I have three kids under 4 years old and we have owned our 2010 Mazda 5 Touring for about 2 years now. We are a one car family, and I mostly commute on a bicycle to and from the hospital. We are starting to run into some problems (both new and old) and with close to $400K in student loans from med school and a large family, I am left trying to figure this all out on my own. We live in Northern Arizona and the stealership is terrible up here. Lousy service and even worse diagnostic and mechanical skills. I want to start doing my own repairs as much as possible because of their terrible abilities. I'm definitely a rookie when it comes to cars, but I'm a DIY type personality and would love the mentoring help from the experts on this forum.
Problem #1
From the day we bought our 5 there has been a front end noise that has been very mysterious. Stealer "can't find anything wrong". Bull. When I start the car and begin to drive I hear a "sliding" noise coming from the left front end that engages right around the gear shift from 1st to 2nd gear. The noise finishes and I can sort of feel a vibration of some sort in the gas pedal as I'm accelerating. This noise sometimes happens when turning incredibly sharp and accelerating at the same time. We have gone through several motor mounts (about 4-5 within the two years we have owned it) and have put on about 35K miles on it since ownership. I also had the tranny fluid changed when we bought it (noted to be dark at around 36K miles), and again just yesterday at 76K miles (again noted to be dark). There is definitely some play (delay from the time I press down on the pedal to when the car actually engages and speeds up, also clunking heard from the front end) in the drivetrain as I accelerate and especially going from a slow 1st gear. I have repeatedly asked them to look at the transmission and they said they did a "test" on it and everything checked out fine.
Problem #2
I also hear a squeak from the rear that I assume are bad sway bar bushings (I just replaced rear shocks three months ago).
Problem #3
Rear Brakes are at 1/32"
Problem #4
Power Steering fluid is dark
Problem #5
Engine Mounts are now bad again and need replacement (dealer wasn't sure which ones? Seriously thats what they told me...)
My goal is to try and fix Problems 2-5 and get to the bottom of #1 (not necessarily fix it). Can everyone pull it together for me and help me out. Links/tips/advice on how to do problems 2-5 would be greatly appreciated. I have a craftsman mechanics toolset and some jack stands. Anything else I can most likely find/purchase. Thanks guys. I'll be happy to return the favor one day when your eyes need it.