Parts for your 2017 Mazda Cx-5-Sway bars & links

Sway Bars and Links on the 2017 Mazda CX-5: What They Do and Why They Matter

The 2017 Mazda CX-5 is a popular compact SUV known for its engaging driving experience and solid handling. A key component that helps deliver this driving confidence is the sway bar and its associated links. These parts play an essential role in the suspension system, improving stability and comfort while keeping the vehicle planted through corners. If you're thinking about servicing or replacing these components on your CX-5, understanding their purpose and how they work will make the process a lot easier.

First off, what are sway bars and links? The sway bar, also called an anti-roll bar or stabiliser bar, is a metal rod that connects the left and right sides of your vehicle's suspension. The links are small connecting arms that attach the sway bar to the suspension components, usually to the control arms or struts. On the 2017 Mazda CX-5, both front and rear sway bars with their respective links are fitted as part of the standard suspension setup. This arrangement is crucial for maintaining body control during cornering and uneven road surfaces.

So, why does the CX-5 have sway bars and links? When the vehicle takes a corner, centrifugal force pushes the body to lean or roll towards the outside of the turn. The sway bar acts as a twisting spring bar, resisting this lean by linking the suspension on either side of the vehicle. When one wheel moves up and the other moves down, the sway bar twists. This helps keep the chassis more level and improves tyre contact with the road, which enhances grip and safety.

The sway bar links play a vital role because they connect the bar to the suspension components, allowing the sway bar to transfer force effectively. If the links are worn or damaged, the sway bar can't function properly, resulting in a loose or unstable feeling, especially around bends or during quick steering inputs.

Routine maintenance of the sway bars and links is important for the 2017 Mazda CX-5's handling performance. Over time, the rubber bushings and ball joints in the links can wear out due to road debris, corrosion, or general use. When that happens, you might hear clunks or rattles coming from the suspension, or notice increased body roll and less precise steering.

Replacing worn sway bar links or bushings on the CX-5 is a relatively straightforward job for a qualified mechanic, but it's critical not to delay it. Continuing to drive with damaged links can place extra strain on other suspension components and reduce overall vehicle stability. Thankfully, high-quality replacement parts are readily available and usually affordable.

Here are a few handy tips to keep in mind regarding sway bars and links on the 2017 Mazda CX-5:

• Listen out for noises like clunking or knocking when driving over bumps or cornering, which may indicate worn links or bushings.
• During regular servicing, have your mechanic check the condition of sway bar links and bushings as part of the suspension inspection.
• If you drive a lot on rough or unsealed roads, the links and bushings may wear quicker, so more frequent checks are advisable.
• When replacing sway bar links, always use components designed for your CX-5 to ensure proper fit and performance.
• Replacing both sway bar links on the same axle at the same time is recommended for balanced handling.

It is worth noting that as part of normal servicing, technicians will also check the sway bar bushings - these are rubber mounts that hold the sway bar in place on the chassis. If these bushings start to degrade, the sway bar might move around and lose effectiveness, leading to handling issues. New bushings usually restore the original performance.

On the 2017 Mazda CX-5, the front suspension is a MacPherson strut type, while the rear is a multilink setup, both benefiting from well-maintained sway bars and links to improve driving dynamics. Mazda balances ride comfort and sportiness in the CX-5 with this suspension design combined with sway bars that reduce unwanted body roll.

In short, the sway bars and links fitted to the 2017 Mazda CX-5 are definitely relevant and play a vital role in how the vehicle handles corners and rough roads. Paying attention to these parts during servicing and replacing worn components will not only help maintain confident handling but also contribute to your safety and vehicle longevity.

If your CX-5 starts to feel less stable when turning or you hear unusual noises from the suspension, it's a good idea to have the sway bars and links checked out. Keeping these components in good working order can make all the difference to your daily driving enjoyment, whether you're cruising highway bends or navigating suburban streets.