[Hez1]

Hi folks! I posted a couple of weeks ago regarding premature wearing of bushes in the suspension hub carrier. I have had it fixed today with 70% of the bill paid for by mazda and 2 year warranty on parts and labour. I contacted mazda direct for a larger % but got nowhere....and it is a like for like part so I'm sure it will go again. However...I contacted some of the automotive bush manufacturers and Polybush have replied saying they have mk4 bushes under test and the suspension hub bushes being designed at the moment! So watch this space! Customers should be able to buy individual bushes for the suspension hub as opposed to purchasing a whole hub! Spread the word and keep your eyes peeled on their website!

 

[Qu1ckn1ck]

Thanks for the very interesting update, Hez. :thumbsup:

 

[Kev5]

Thank you for that, Hez

 

[Ali5]

Fingers crossed the testing goes well

 

[Duggan09]

Hello I have a 2015 ND 30k and developed the rear rattle, took to a mazda garage, telling me I need a new hub at £750, my car was bought from an independent garage so doesn't have a full mazda service history so I reckon a good will offer from mazda is unlikely. The mazda garage did offer to fit replacement bushes though if I could source them. Poly bush seem to have developed a set specifically for this purpose but can find anyone on any forum who has tried them and any forum discussion on fitting poly bushes seems to warn against due to a harsh ride. These bushes are blue as oppose to their standard orange though and marked as comfort ride though which makes me think they have taken a non race track approach to these particular bushes although they say they have been tested by a race team. Any thoughts out there on whether I should give them a shot?

 

[Pat]

Hi Duggan, welcome :wave:

I'm afraid I'm not very up on bushes and the like

but hopefully someone will be along soon that is

 

[Kev5]

Hello I have a 2015 ND 30k and developed the rear rattle, took to a mazda garage, telling me I need a new hub at £750, my car was bought from an independent garage so doesn't have a full mazda service history so I reckon a good will offer from mazda is unlikely. The mazda garage did offer to fit replacement bushes though if I could source them. Poly bush seem to have developed a set specifically for this purpose but can find anyone on any forum who has tried them and any forum discussion on fitting poly bushes seems to warn against due to a harsh ride. These bushes are blue as oppose to their standard orange though and marked as comfort ride though which makes me think they have taken a non race track approach to these particular bushes although they say they have been tested by a race team. Any thoughts out there on whether I should give them a shot?

Hi Duggan,

This is what I wrote on your introductory post on here (see below)

Hi Duggan and welcome to the forum.

I must tell you that the 'bushes' that wear on this model are not bushes at all, but in fact spherical bearings (or rose joints) so not a simple 'bush' replacement I'm afraid.

There are bushes within the rear uprights (hub-carriers) but the noise you can hear is from those spherical bearings, which are not an easily replaceable item. I must also tell you that the bearings are a well known durability issue worldwide and you will find many posts about it on various MX-5 forums, including this one. They have proven to be under-engineered for our rough road surfaces and at 30,000 miles you have had the best out of them. Mine went at around 26,000 miles - some owners get more, some less - but they will fail eventually on ND models.

Regards,

Kev.

 

[Duggan09]

Yes the replacements supplied by polybush have spherical bearings and are designed specifically to address this issue but I can't find anyone who has tried to fit them. I am wishing I had done more homework before I purchased as ask anyone about the mx5 and they all say its a reliable car but obviously not the mk4.

 

[Steveti]

Yes the replacements supplied by polybush have spherical bearings and are designed specifically to address this issue but I can't find anyone who has tried to fit them. I am wishing I had done more homework before I purchased as ask anyone about the mx5 and they all say its a reliable car but obviously not the mk4.

It's a real shame that the Mk4 seems to have a number of quality issues after having a run of 3 previous models that barring corrosion issues seem to have been pretty bullet proof.

I've never been a fan of the Mk4's aesthetics or practicality (that being a relative thing of course) but never did I think that Mazda would bring to market a vehicle that seems by many accounts to be of a flimsy build and beset with some serious mechanical issues.

The rear hub carrier nonsense is simply beyond it and typical of Mazda (UK) they take a scattergun approach to making things right, I believe some owners have had the hubs rightly replaced FOC, this is a very basic design fault after all, whilst other are asked to stump up varying percentages of the monies required to put things right. Even then Mazda have made no effort whatsoever to do a redesign of the hub carriers to solve the issue but replace like for like knowing, any sane person would assume anyway, that they will fail again after 20-30k miles.

It's a sad reflection on Mazda today that their customer support is all over the place but fundamentally that they continue to sell a product with a known and well documented defect out on the market, the same issue obviously manifests itself with the Fiat 124s but anecdotally Fiat seem to deal with the issue for their customers with far less hassle although of course they still pop on a unit o the same spec. Shocking.

Would I buy another Mazda in 2021, not a hope.

 

[Shadgrind]

I just hope for a recall, though it seems unlikely that this will actually kill anyone which seems to be the only reason things get recalled these days.

I'm fed up with the fact that we pay exorbitant amounts of money for these cars and they're not fit for purposes intended i.e thrashing the nads off them around country lanes or racetracks!

 

[KMa]

Just to let everyone know after similar issues with the rear hub bushes on my ND since my MOT in Jan 2021 my local garage in Sussex have just fitted 2 of the poly bushes from a 4 pack recommended from MX5 Parts (£180) instead of replacing the rear hubs at the Mazda dealer. Didn't get anywhere with the dealer who didn't even bother to call me back when they said they would raise it with Mazda UK.
The local garage (who are used to repairing all sorts of vehicles) used an adapted Vauxhall Vectra bush tool and got the offending bush out from each side out quite easily once they found which tool to use. They checked the other bushes in the hub which were fine and just replaced the 2 that had movement. Total cost for labour was £117.00. Drives fine now. Pic shows old black ones removed and 2 spare poly ones from bag of 4.

 

[IanH]

Good result and nice to see reasonably priced aftermarket solution appearing.

 

[Garffey]

Just to let everyone know after similar issues with the rear hub bushes on my ND since my MOT in Jan 2021 my local garage in Sussex have just fitted 2 of the poly bushes from a 4 pack recommended from MX5 Parts (£180) instead of replacing the rear hubs at the Mazda dealer. Didn't get anywhere with the dealer who didn't even bother to call me back when they said they would raise it with Mazda UK.
The local garage (who are used to repairing all sorts of vehicles) used an adapted Vauxhall Vectra bush tool and got the offending bush out from each side out quite easily once they found which tool to use. They checked the other bushes in the hub which were fine and just replaced the 2 that had movement. Total cost for labour was £117.00. Drives fine now. Pic shows old black ones removed and 2 spare poly ones from bag of 4.

Thanks for this KMa....
Nice to see there is now another solution, my ND has just short of 22,000 now on the clock, but as of yet the bushes haven't become a problem!
But I'll have another option now should the need arise!

 

[buckleys]

I have just been quoted £1400 for both sides by my local garage to replace rose bushes - does this seem reasonable

 

[marshallmiata]

Just to let everyone know after similar issues with the rear hub bushes on my ND since my MOT in Jan 2021 my local garage in Sussex have just fitted 2 of the poly bushes from a 4 pack recommended from MX5 Parts (£180) instead of replacing the rear hubs at the Mazda dealer. Didn't get anywhere with the dealer who didn't even bother to call me back when they said they would raise it with Mazda UK.
The local garage (who are used to repairing all sorts of vehicles) used an adapted Vauxhall Vectra bush tool and got the offending bush out from each side out quite easily once they found which tool to use. They checked the other bushes in the hub which were fine and just replaced the 2 that had movement. Total cost for labour was £117.00. Drives fine now. Pic shows old black ones removed and 2 spare poly ones from bag of 4.

Hi there KMa.

Just wondering if you have any idea what Vectra the tool was used from?

 

[Mick]

I have just had my 5 year service and the mot advisory was slight wear on the offside bush. The dealer says it could last 1/2 or 3 years but my issue is the wear which means it’s on its way. If I had done 30000 miles I accept there would be wear. The £787.77 repair bill not.
My car is on its last day before the the 5 year cut off for goodwill. No extended warranty but should it have needed one seeing it’s done 8600 miles. Brakes are 5% worn . Tyres 7mm. I drive it like a saint and the statistics prove it.
Dealer says raised it with Mazda before and the don’t care.
I rang Mazda Uk and they said tough [email protected]@@
I’ve been back to dealer to raise a goodwill payment from Mazda so I have official confirmation of refusal to take to watchdog.
To say I have fallen out of love with a car that is never driven when wet and lovingly cared for is an understatement. I bought it from new a couple of days after being diagnosed with cancer which hopefully I am free from so there is a lot of sentimental value.
At the moment I just feel like getting rid of it due to the future ridiculously large bill.

 

[buckleys]

I have just had my 5 year service and the mot advisory was slight wear on the offside bush. The dealer says it could last 1/2 or 3 years but my issue is the wear which means it’s on its way. If I had done 30000 miles I accept there would be wear. The £787.77 repair bill not.
My car is on its last day before the the 5 year cut off for goodwill. No extended warranty but should it have needed one seeing it’s done 8600 miles. Brakes are 5% worn . Tyres 7mm. I drive it like a saint and the statistics prove it.
Dealer says raised it with Mazda before and the don’t care.
I rang Mazda Uk and they said tough [email protected]@@
I’ve been back to dealer to raise a goodwill payment from Mazda so I have official confirmation of refusal to take to watchdog.
To say I have fallen out of love with a car that is never driven when wet and lovingly cared for is an understatement. I bought it from new a couple of days after being diagnosed with cancer which hopefully I am free from so there is a lot of sentimental value.
At the moment I just feel like getting rid of it due to the future ridiculously large bill.

Mine is a 2016. I contacted Mazda and this is the reply I received.
Dear Mr Buckley

Thank you for contacting us at Mazda UK regarding the bushes on the Mazda MX-5, I am sorry to learn of the issue.

Customers have the opportunity to extend their warranty for further peace of mind as no parts are infallible. If no Extended Warranty has been purchased, we do sometimes consider contributing to out-of-warranty repairs but there are strict criteria that need to be met for this to be applicable. A full and on time Mazda Service history is one factor, we also would not offer a goodwill financial contribution once a vehicle is over 5 years old or if a repair cost is below £375, as £375 is the average cost of an extended warranty, therefore it would be unfair to customers who have paid for that extra protection.

I note from the Digital Service Record that the 2016 and 2017 services were not completed by Mazda dealerships and the 2019 and 2021 services are missing. The vehicle is also close to 7 years old so unfortunately, the vehicle falls outside of Mazda UK’s goodwill parameters. Goodwill gestures are given with the intention of assisting in customer loyalty following a car being purchased, as well as, fully maintained within the Mazda network.

Mazda UK would not be able to assist financially towards the required repairs, I am sorry.

If there is anything else I can assist with, please feel free to reply to this email or call us on 03457 48 48 48. We are here Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Yours sincerely


Matthew Tomlinson
Customer Relations Manager
Customer Service Division


Rather disgusted by the reply!!

 

[Mick]

Mine is a 2016. I contacted Mazda and this is the reply I received.
Dear Mr Buckley

Thank you for contacting us at Mazda UK regarding the bushes on the Mazda MX-5, I am sorry to learn of the issue.

Customers have the opportunity to extend their warranty for further peace of mind as no parts are infallible. If no Extended Warranty has been purchased, we do sometimes consider contributing to out-of-warranty repairs but there are strict criteria that need to be met for this to be applicable. A full and on time Mazda Service history is one factor, we also would not offer a goodwill financial contribution once a vehicle is over 5 years old or if a repair cost is below £375, as £375 is the average cost of an extended warranty, therefore it would be unfair to customers who have paid for that extra protection.

I note from the Digital Service Record that the 2016 and 2017 services were not completed by Mazda dealerships and the 2019 and 2021 services are missing. The vehicle is also close to 7 years old so unfortunately, the vehicle falls outside of Mazda UK’s goodwill parameters. Goodwill gestures are given with the intention of assisting in customer loyalty following a car being purchased, as well as, fully maintained within the Mazda network.

Mazda UK would not be able to assist financially towards the required repairs, I am sorry.

If there is anything else I can assist with, please feel free to reply to this email or call us on 03457 48 48 48. We are here Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Yours sincerely


Matthew Tomlinson
Customer Relations Manager
Customer Service Division


Rather disgusted by the reply!!

It’s quite clearly a design fault. I’ve never had this in any car in th last 43 years some of which have done 10 times the mileage of mine.
I’ve just sent off an email to ceo of Mazda UK.
If I don’t get a positive response I will probably be getting rid of it then no more Mazda’s for me and a lot of slating of the product if I see anyone with an idea of buying.

 

[Mick]

Mine is a 2016. I contacted Mazda and this is the reply I received.
Dear Mr Buckley

Thank you for contacting us at Mazda UK regarding the bushes on the Mazda MX-5, I am sorry to learn of the issue.

Customers have the opportunity to extend their warranty for further peace of mind as no parts are infallible. If no Extended Warranty has been purchased, we do sometimes consider contributing to out-of-warranty repairs but there are strict criteria that need to be met for this to be applicable. A full and on time Mazda Service history is one factor, we also would not offer a goodwill financial contribution once a vehicle is over 5 years old or if a repair cost is below £375, as £375 is the average cost of an extended warranty, therefore it would be unfair to customers who have paid for that extra protection.

I note from the Digital Service Record that the 2016 and 2017 services were not completed by Mazda dealerships and the 2019 and 2021 services are missing. The vehicle is also close to 7 years old so unfortunately, the vehicle falls outside of Mazda UK’s goodwill parameters. Goodwill gestures are given with the intention of assisting in customer loyalty following a car being purchased, as well as, fully maintained within the Mazda network.

Mazda UK would not be able to assist financially towards the required repairs, I am sorry.

If there is anything else I can assist with, please feel free to reply to this email or call us on 03457 48 48 48. We are here Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Yours sincerely


Matthew Tomlinson
Customer Relations Manager
Customer Service Division


Rather disgusted by the reply!!

When I rang Mazda Uk earlier I spoke to someone called Mathew…….
Just had a call from dealer who said Mazda will offer £367. Stuff that, they still want £400 from me.

 

[Steveti]

In short, this is now a known fundamental design fault that Mazda, through the life of the ND have failed to address. As such raise it with Watchdog but more to the point, raise it with VOSA but be prepared to get others that have met the same issue along with evidence of Mazda's reluctance to accept and rectify both the design and implement on all NDs as a recall.

Mazda's attitude sucks towards customers and has done for many, many years.

Good luck.