Service Bulletin

Mazda North American Operations
Irvine, CA 92618-2922

© 2015 Mazda Motor of America, Inc.

Subject:

Bulletin No:

02-003/15

Last Issued:

02/04/2015

KNOCKING / SQUEAKING NOISE FROM FRONT STRUT BEARING

MULTI-MODEL - KNOCKING / SQUEAKING NOISE FROM FRONT STRUT BEARING

BULLETIN NOTE
• This bulletin supersedes the previous bulletin 02-005/13, issued on 08/24/13 and 11/11/13. The APPLICABLE MODEL(S)/VINS, DESCRIPTION, REPAIR PROCEDURE, PART(S) and WARRANTY INFORMATION
have been revised.
• Changes are noted below in Red beside the change bar.

APPLICABLE MODEL(S)/VINS
2013-2016 CX-5 vehicles with VINs lower than JM3KE******615844 (produced before Jan. 1, 2015)
2014-2016 Mazda6 vehicles with VINs lower than JM1GJ******404929 (produced before Jan. 6, 2015)

DESCRIPTION
Some vehicles may exhibit a knocking / squeaking
noise from the front strut bearing (A) when driving on
rough roads and/or when turning the steering wheel
while the vehicle is stopped.
The noise may be due to upper front strut bearing damage or it may be due to stick/slip between the front strut
bearing and coil spring.
To eliminate the noise, the following mass-production
changes have been made:
1. The material and production method of the front strut
bearing has been changed.
2. A protector has been installed onto the coil spring.
NOTE: The piston rod nut (B) requires replacement
when the front strut bearing is replaced.
Customers having this concern should have their vehicle repaired using the following repair procedure.

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CONSUMER NOTICE: The information and instructions in this bulletin are intended for use by skilled technicians. Mazda technicians utilize the proper tools/
equipment and take training to correctly and safely maintain Mazda vehicles. These instructions should not be performed by “do-it-yourselfers.” Customers
should not assume this bulletin applies to their vehicle or that their vehicle will develop the described concern. To determine if the information applies,
customers should contact their nearest authorized Mazda dealership. Mazda North American Operations reserves the right to alter the specifications and
contents of this bulletin without obligation or advance notice. All rights reserved. No part of this bulletin may be reproduced in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical---including photocopying and recording and the use of any kind of information storage and retrieval system ---without permission in
writing.

Bulletin No: 02-003/15

Last Issued: 02/04/2015

© 2015 Mazda Motor of America, Inc.

REPAIR PROCEDURE
1. Verify the customer concern of knocking or squeaking noise coming from the front suspension.
2. Is the noise coming from the upper part of front shock absorber when turning the steering wheel?
• Yes - Proceed to Step 3.
• No - This bulletin does not apply.
3. Is the strut bearing broken as shown below?
• Yes - Proceed to Step 4.
• No - Proceed to Step 5.

4. Replace the front strut bearing with a new one according to MS3 online instructions or the Workshop Manual (section 02-13 FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER AND COIL SPRING DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY).
5. Use Special Service Tool (SST) ChassisEAR / EngineEAR II Combo JSP06608 or Wireless ChassisEAR
JSP97202 to confirm noise is coming from the upper part of front shock absorber:
NOTE: SST JSP06608 and JSP97202 are available for purchase on Mazda E-Store.

or

ChassisEAR / EngineEAR II Combo
JSP06608

Wireless ChassisEAR JSP97202

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Bulletin No: 02-003/15

Last Issued: 02/04/2015

© 2015 Mazda Motor of America, Inc.

6. Using ChassisEAR SST, is the noise coming from the upper part of the front shock absorber?
• Yes - Use the table below to determine if the subject vehicle is a Type A or Type B vehicle, then follow the
appropriate repair.
• No - This bulletin does not apply.

Model

VIN Range

Mass-Production Date Range

Type

CX-5

JM3KE******100001 - 343674

~ April 16, 2013

A

CX-5

JM3KE******343675 - 615844

April 16, 2013 ~ Jan. 1, 2015

B

Mazda6

JM1GJ******100001 - 121430

~ April 16, 2013

A

Mazda6

JM1GJ******121431 - 404929

April 16, 2013 ~ Jan. 6, 2015

B

NOTE:
•
•

Before removing the mounting rubber (A), mark its original position so it can be re-installed later to
the same position.
It is not necessary to adjust the front wheel alignment because the front shock absorber and mounting rubber are not being replaced.

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Bulletin No: 02-003/15

Last Issued: 02/04/2015

© 2015 Mazda Motor of America, Inc.

Repair For Type A Vehicles - (Modified strut bearing* and coil spring protector installation):
1. Remove the front strut bearing and coil spring according to the MS3 online instructions or the Workshop
Manual (section 02-13 FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER AND COIL SPRING DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY).
NOTE: *If the front strut bearing is found to be damaged, replace it with a modified part.
2. Install a protector on the front coil spring according to “Coil Spring Protector (A) Installation” below.
3. Reinstall the front strut bearing and coil spring according to MS3 online instructions or the Workshop Manual
(section 02-13 FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER AND COIL SPRING DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY).
4. Repeat Steps 1 - 3 on the opposite side front suspension.
5. Verify repair.
Repair For Type B Vehicles - (Coil spring protector installation only):
1. Remove the front strut bearing and coil spring according to MS3 online instructions or the Workshop Manual
(section 02-13 FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER AND COIL SPRING DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY).
2. Install a protector on the front coil spring according to “Coil Spring Protector (A) Installation” below.
3. Reinstall the front strut bearing and coil spring according to MS3 online instructions or the Workshop Manual
(section 02-13 FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER AND COIL SPRING DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY).
4. Repeat Steps 1 - 3 on the opposite side front suspension.
5. Verify repair.
Coil Spring Protector (A) Installation:

a. Starting from the top of the coil spring, degrease the spring 1.5 coils downward.
b. Cut a thin strip of paper to 138 mm in length (or use a cloth type measuring tape).
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Bulletin No: 02-003/15

Last Issued: 02/04/2015

© 2015 Mazda Motor of America, Inc.

c. Place the strip of paper (or cloth measuring tape) along the inner side of the coil spring starting at point (A).
d. Mark the spot on the spring where (B) is. (B) is the starting point for the protector installation.

e. Install the protector (A) onto the coil spring aligning the end (slant cut side) with the marking at spot (B).
NOTE: Install the protector so the gap (C) is evenly aligned around the outer edge of the coil spring.

f. The inner side of the protector contains adhesive glue. After installing the protector onto the spring, press the
inner side to firmly adhere it to the spring.

Page 5 of 6

Bulletin No: 02-003/15

Last Issued: 02/04/2015

© 2015 Mazda Motor of America, Inc.

PART(S) INFORMATION

Part Number

Description

Qty.

Notes

KD35-34-38XA

Front Strut Bearing

1 or 2

---

9YB0-41-237

Piston Rod Nut

2

Replace nut when front strut
bearing is replaced.

KDY5-34-081

Protector

2

Coil spring protector

WARRANTY INFORMATION
NOTE:
•
•
•

This warranty information applies only to verified customer complaints on vehicles eligible for warranty repair.
This repair will be covered under Mazda’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty term.
Additional diagnostic time cannot be claimed for this repair.

Warranty Type

A

Symptom Code

82

Damage Code

9A

Part Number Main Cause
Quantity
Operation Number / Labor Hours

KD35-34-38XA
1 or 2
XXKBKXRX / 0.9 Hrs.

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