Shock Absorber Replacement Guidelines – 1999-2016 Mazda

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MULTI-MODEL – SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES

APPLICABLE MODEL(S)/VINS

1999-2009 B-Series1999-2002 6262004-2016 Mazda32007-2012 CX-72016 CX-3
1999-2003 Protege2000-2006 MPV2006-2015 Mazda52007-2016 CX-9
1999-2005 Miata2001-2011 Tribute2003-2016 Mazda62006-2016 MX-5
1999-2002 Millenia2011-2014 Mazda22013-2016 CX-52004-2011 RX-8

 

Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers.

In most cases the oil that is present is normal, and a result of the oil that remains on the shaft during the normal sweeping process of the shaft seal.

 

Follow the inspection guidelines to determine if the condition is a result of the normal sweeping process or a failure of the shaft seal.

 

SERVICE INFORMATION

  1. Inspect the shock absorber by using the following guidelines to determine if shock absorber replacement is necessary or not.

NOTE: Warranty claims submitted for oil seepage shock absorbers will be denied or subject to debit.

 

CAUSE OF OIL SEEPAGE

Oil seepage is caused by the following factors and is not a problem:

  • A small amount of oil seeps outside through the dust lip during normal operation.
  • The oil film thickness is uneven due to production variation of rod and seal.

When the rod (A) receives input from the road and extends upward, most of the oil (B) on the rod is scraped off by the main lip (C) and some remains inside the dust lip (D). When the rod extends further, then most of the remaining oil (E) on the rod is scraped off by the dust lip, and a small amount of oil seeps out (F).

Shock Absorber

 

CAUSE OF OIL LEAKAGE

Oil leakage is caused by the following factors and is a problem:

  • The rod is damaged (dent, etching, rust, or foreign substance).
  • The lips are damaged.

 

SYMPTOMDESCRIPTION / REPLACEMENT CRITERIA
STRUT

STRUT
  • Oil seepage comes out below the bump cap (A) and may run down the sides, but does not run past the spring seat.
  • The surface appears dirty due to oil and dust, but it is not wet with oil dripping / running down the sides.
  • The damping function is still performing correctly.

Action: Clean and dry the unit as much as possible. NO REPLACEMENT NECESSARY.

SHOCK ABSORBER WITH SPRING SEAT

SHOCK ABSORBER WITH SPRING SEAT
  • Oil seepage comes out below the bump cap (A) and may run down the sides, but does not run past the spring seat.
  • The surface appears dirty due to oil and dust, but it is not wet with oil dripping / running down the sides.
  • The damping function is still performing correctly.

Action: Clean and dry the unit as much as possible. NO REPLACEMENT NECESSARY.

SHOCK

SHOCK
  • Oil seepage comes out under the dust cover (A) and covers not more than 50% of the outer cylinder (B) length (L).
  • The surface appears dirty due to oil and dust, but it is not wet with oil dripping / running down the sides.
  • The damping function is still performing correctly.

Action: Clean and dry the unit as much as possible. NO REPLACEMENT NECESSARY.

STRUT

STRUT
  • Oil leakage comes out below the bump cap (A) and runs down the sides past the spring seat.
  • The surface appears wet with oil dripping / running down the sides.

Action: REPLACE THE UNIT.

SHOCK ABSORBER WITH SPRING SEAT

SHOCK ABSORBER WITH SPRING SEAT
  • Oil leakage comes out below the bump cap (A) and runs down the sides past the spring seat.
  • The surface appears wet with oil dripping / running down the sides.

Action: REPLACE THE UNIT.

SHOCK

SHOCK
  • Oil leakage comes out under the dust cover (A) and covers 50% or more of the outer cylinder (B) length (L).
  • The surface appears wet with oil dripping / running down the sides.

Action: REPLACE THE UNIT.

 

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