02-001-19-3550

Technical
Service Bulletin
Mazda North American Operations
Irvine, CA 92618-2922
Subject:
SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES
Bulletin No.: 02-001/19
Last Issued: 01/02/2019
BULLETIN NOTES
This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted below in Red.
Previously Issued TSBs: Date(s) issued Previously Issued TSBs: Date(s) issued
02-006/18
03/26/18
02-005/09
06/05/09
02-004/16
02/15/16
02-004/08
05/18/08
02-001/13
01/14/13
02-001/04
01/15/04
02-004/11
07/11/11
APPLICABLE MODEL(S)/VINS
1999-2009 B-Series 1999-2002 626
2004-2019 Mazda3 2007-2012 CX-7 2016-2019 CX-3
1999-2003 Protege 2000-2006 MPV 2006-2015 Mazda5 2007-2019 CX-9
1999-2005 Miata 2001-2011 Tribute 2003-2019 Mazda6 2006-2019 MX-5
1999-2002 Millenia 2011-2014 Mazda2 2013-2019 CX-5 2004-2011 RX-8
DESCRIPTION
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.


If it is oil seepage, the shock absorber does NOT need to be replaced.
If it is oil leakage, the shock absorber needs to be replaced.
NOTE: Warranty claims submitted for oil seepage shock absorbers will be denied or subject to debit.
Page 1 of 5
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.
© 2019 Mazda North American Operations, U.S.A.
Bulletin No.: 02-001/19
Last Issued: 01/02/2019
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 (1) receives input from the road and extends upward, most of the oil (2) on the rod is scraped
off by the main lip (3) and some remains inside the dust lip (4). When the rod extends further, then most of
the remaining oil (5) on the rod is scraped off by the dust lip, and a small amount of oil seeps out (6).
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.
Page 2 of 5
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.
© 2019 Mazda North American Operations, U.S.A.
Bulletin No.: 02-001/19
SYMPTOM
STRUT
Last Issued: 01/02/2019
DESCRIPTION / REPLACEMENT CRITERIA
Oil seepage comes out below the bump cap (1) 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.
Dealer action: Clean and dry the unit as much as possible. NO
REPLACEMENT NECESSARY.
SHOCK ABSORBER WITH SPRING SEAT Oil seepage comes out below the bump cap (1) 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.
Dealer action: Clean and dry the unit as much as possible. NO
REPLACEMENT NECESSARY.
Page 3 of 5
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.
© 2019 Mazda North American Operations, U.S.A.
Bulletin No.: 02-001/19
Last Issued: 01/02/2019
SHOCK
Oil seepage comes out under the dust cover (1) and covers not
more than 50% of the outer cylinder (2) length (3).
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.
Dealer action: Clean and dry the unit as much as possible. NO
REPLACEMENT NECESSARY.
STRUT
Oil leakage comes out below the bump cap (1) and runs down
the sides past the spring seat.
The surface appears wet with oil dripping / running down the
sides.
Dealer action: REPLACE THE UNIT.
Page 4 of 5
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.
© 2019 Mazda North American Operations, U.S.A.
Bulletin No.: 02-001/19
Last Issued: 01/02/2019
SHOCK ABSORBER WITH SPRING SEAT Oil leakage comes out below the bump cap (1) and runs down
the sides past the spring seat.
The surface appears wet with oil dripping / running down the
sides.
Dealer action: REPLACE THE UNIT.
SHOCK
Oil leakage comes out under the dust cover (1) and covers 50%
or more of the outer cylinder (2) length (3).
The surface appears wet with oil dripping / running down the
sides.
Dealer action: REPLACE THE UNIT.
Page 5 of 5
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.
© 2019 Mazda North American Operations, U.S.A.