So last week September 26,2018 my wife reported squeaking from the rear end of her 2009 Mazda Demio Chassis DE3FS-xxxxxx.
I jacked up left side and then Right Side and then both together and heard it from the left side. So I thought to myself that the Left side Rear Axle Bushing must be bad. So while I check around for availability and cost, I sent her back on the road. A few days later, she says it is getting loader and that the car feels funny and she thinks the back wheels look off center.
Now when it comes to her car, I take her very seriously about her observations and decided to Jack up the car again. This time what a SHOCKER! Photos say everything. When I removed the Axle from the car there was ONLY 2cm of metal holding the axle together. Another day on the road and this could have been a disaster.
If you or you know someone who owns a 2008 up Demio (Mazda2) DE Frame (in the USA thats the 2011 up models), I would seriously have your rear Axle (real name is Torsion Axle) checked very carefully. I missed it the first time and assumed the bushing was bad. Never thought it would really be the axle so my eyes didn't even look there.
Now what is even more worrying was the ease that I could get a Replacement. When I asked my local/used parts guy if they had one, he said, "Yes, they crack all the time". I couldn't believe my ears because I hadn't told him why I wanted one.
Now why isn't there a RECALL by Mazda on this? Are we failing to report these cracks because we think we drive a inexpensive (relatively speaking) small car? We just go ahead and fix it ourselves?
Spread the Word, this is a VERY dangerous fault.
PS. On another note I was also told by my same parts guy that the same model Demios/Mazda Rack & Pinion are also known for failing and that I should keep an eye on that for strange popping and movement in the rack. There is a complaint about this issue on Carcomplaints about this as well.
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So last week September 26,2018 my wife reported squeaking from the rear end of her 2009 Mazda Demio Chassis DE3FS-xxxxxx.
I jacked up left side and then Right Side and then both together and heard it from the left side. So I thought to myself that the Left side Rear Axle Bushing must be bad. So while I check around for availability and cost, I sent her back on the road. A few days later, she says it is getting loader and that the car feels funny and she thinks the back wheels look off center.
Now when it comes to her car, I take her very seriously about her observations and decided to Jack up the car again. This time what a SHOCKER! Photos say everything. When I removed the Axle from the car there was ONLY 2cm of metal holding the axle together. Another day on the road and this could have been a disaster.
If you or you know someone who owns a 2008 up Demio (Mazda2) DE Frame (in the USA thats the 2011 up models), I would seriously have your rear Axle (real name is Torsion Axle) checked very carefully. I missed it the first time and assumed the bushing was bad. Never thought it would really be the axle so my eyes didn't even look there.
Now what is even more worrying was the ease that I could get a Replacement. When I asked my local/used parts guy if they had one, he said, "Yes, they crack all the time". I couldn't believe my ears because I hadn't told him why I wanted one.
Now why isn't there a RECALL by Mazda on this? Are we failing to report these cracks because we think we drive a inexpensive (relatively speaking) small car? We just go ahead and fix it ourselves?
Spread the Word, this is a VERY dangerous fault.
PS. On another note I was also told by my same parts guy that the same model Demios/Mazda Rack & Pinion are also known for failing and that I should keep an eye on that for strange popping and movement in the rack. There is a complaint about this issue on Carcomplaints about this as well.
- scubaman, Runaway Bay, US