Car feels mushy - Mazda 6 Forums : Mazda 6 / Mazda Atenza Forum

H15A5H1 · 10-20-2009, 02:11 AM

I have a 2007 mazda6s hb with about 25,000 miles on it. I'm not sure if its just me, but I feel like the car feels a bit mushy when I drive. The suspension doesnt seem as stiff and feels a bit bouncy. I also noticed that when I apply some pressure to the doorsill with my foot, I can push the car down pretty easily. Im not sure if my springs or shocks are giving out. What does everyone think??

ydnauhz · 10-20-2009, 02:20 AM

A lot of "zoom-zoom" driving maybe?

jd42 · 10-20-2009, 10:36 AM

QUOTE (H15A5H1 @ Oct 20 2009, 02:11 AM)

Quote:

Im not sure if my springs or shocks are giving out.[/b]

Springs are not something that normally wear out. More likely would be worn shocks.

Checking the shocks is really easy. Rapidly push down one corner of the car and release. If the suspension quickly moves back up and stops, the shocks are probably fine. If the car bounces a couple of times, the shock is shot. Repeat at all the other 3 corners to check all the shocks.

H15A5H1 · 10-21-2009, 04:28 PM

QUOTE (ydnauhz @ Oct 19 2009, 11:20 PM)

Quote:

A lot of "zoom-zoom" driving maybe?[/b]

haha, not really. i pretty much baby my car the best i can.

QUOTE (jd42 @ Oct 20 2009, 07:36 AM)

Quote:

Springs are not something that normally wear out. More likely would be worn shocks.

Checking the shocks is really easy. Rapidly push down one corner of the car and release. If the suspension quickly moves back up and stops, the shocks are probably fine. If the car bounces a couple of times, the shock is shot. Repeat at all the other 3 corners to check all the shocks.[/b]

when i rapidly push down on one corner (drivers door sill area), the car dips down, moves back up then slightly down again. im not surprised that i can make the car move when i pushing down hard, but it concerns me that i can push it so easily.

chilimax21 · 10-21-2009, 07:30 PM

Get some Konis. Stiff as hell.

ttshark · 10-22-2009, 01:36 AM

Definitely some gone shocks. My mates 82 corolla is gone to heck. I one jumped on his car and it was like a trampoline. The only way he solved it was to put his overweight step-mum in it, that stiffened her right up!

fly757 · 10-22-2009, 12:46 PM

Do worn shocks also cause a mushy feeling in the steering? The steering responsiveness in my 2004 is not nearly as crisp as it was 105,000 miles ago.

Mz6GreyGhost · 10-22-2009, 03:24 PM

QUOTE (fly757 @ Oct 22 2009, 12:46 PM)

Quote:

Do worn shocks also cause a mushy feeling in the steering? The steering responsiveness in my 2004 is not nearly as crisp as it was 105,000 miles ago.[/b]

Try this link before you drop any more $$$$ than you have to.

fly757 · 10-22-2009, 03:42 PM

I replace the power steering fluid once every year. It used to help a lot when my car was young, but now it has over 100k on it. Maybe the steering rack is getting tired, and a little sloppy. However, I'm pretty sure it's my suspension is wearing out. Especially since I have made aggressive turns frequently throughout the life of my car.

What else besides shocks might cause this "sloppiness?"

the mazda · 12-16-2009, 03:41 AM

sway bars

10-20-2009, 02:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
H15A5H1 Mazda Guru Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 2,132 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	I have a 2007 mazda6s hb with about 25,000 miles on it. I'm not sure if its just me, but I feel like the car feels a bit mushy when I drive. The suspension doesnt seem as stiff and feels a bit bouncy. I also noticed that when I apply some pressure to the doorsill with my foot, I can push the car down pretty easily. Im not sure if my springs or shocks are giving out. What does everyone think?? __________________ 2007 MAZDA6s 5-door (tungsten gray)

10-20-2009, 02:20 AM	#2 (permalink)
ydnauhz Track Racer Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: LA Posts: 274 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	A lot of "zoom-zoom" driving maybe? __________________

10-21-2009, 07:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
chilimax21 Track Racer Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Queens,NY Posts: 183 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	Get some Konis. Stiff as hell. __________________ 2003 Mazda 6s- Konis all around, Progress Rear Sway, Hid in Lows, EBC Ultimax Sport Rotos w/ EBC Redstuffs, PIAA 1000XT's, 225/45/17 Toyo Proxes 4's and Ecsta's, Cntinental Extreme Contitacts, MSDS headers w/Magnaflow spun metallic cat w/stock exhaust

10-22-2009, 01:36 AM	#6 (permalink)
ttshark Track Racer Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 405 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	Definitely some gone shocks. My mates 82 corolla is gone to heck. I one jumped on his car and it was like a trampoline. The only way he solved it was to put his overweight step-mum in it, that stiffened her right up! __________________ 2002 Mazda 6 Limited series 1 Manual 2.3L I-4 Australian Model (Jap Spec) 10:6 High Compression Current Mods: BC Racing Coilovers \| Injen CAI \| Advanced Timing \| Dark Yellow Smoked Fog Lights \| 18" Mazda RX-8 Wheels on Bridgestone GIII 225's \| Raybrig 4500K Pure White Parker/licence/door Bulbs imported from Japan \| Audiolink ipod Connection \| Fluoro Orange Rocker Cover \| Custom Grounding Kit \| Breather Air Filter \| Apexi Turbo Timer \| PCV Oil Catch Can (Still need to install) \| RDA Front Slotted Rotors \| ACRE Super Fighter Pads \| NGK Plug Wires \| 6-SMD Red Interior Map Lights \| Honda S2000 Gearknob Coming SUPER soon: HIDs (Freight Container Arriving Soon) \| Front/Rear Strut Bar \| Exedy Stage 1 Sports Organic Clutch \| Exedy Lightened Flywheel Coming soon: F2 Supercharger kit \| F2 Header \| Custom 3" Catback Exhaust System with High Flow Cat \| Complete Haltech Tune

10-22-2009, 12:46 PM	#7 (permalink)
fly757 Track Racer Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Chicago Posts: 633 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	Do worn shocks also cause a mushy feeling in the steering? The steering responsiveness in my 2004 is not nearly as crisp as it was 105,000 miles ago. __________________ 2004 Mazda6s MTX

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10-22-2009, 03:42 PM	#9 (permalink)
fly757 Track Racer Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Chicago Posts: 633 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	I replace the power steering fluid once every year. It used to help a lot when my car was young, but now it has over 100k on it. Maybe the steering rack is getting tired, and a little sloppy. However, I'm pretty sure it's my suspension is wearing out. Especially since I have made aggressive turns frequently throughout the life of my car. What else besides shocks might cause this "sloppiness?" __________________ 2004 Mazda6s MTX

12-16-2009, 03:41 AM	#10 (permalink)
the mazda Drivers License Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 60 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	sway bars