I have a growling noise in the rear end when going slowly around corners.

We really have to hear noises, and then investigate for the source. Is the noise louder with the windows open VS closed? Do you hear it better if driving past a wall or other cars for it to echo off of?

All wheel drive? possibly rear diff fluid needs service.

Hi, Did you ever get this resolved? I have this exact problem. I did some research and yes, the CX-9 has a multi-plate clutch located in the rear differential, acting as the center differential, enabling up to 50% of torque to drive the rear axle. They always say start with the cheapest repair, so I'm going to get the computer firmware updated. I'm thinking that the program has "lost its way" and may be engaging the multi-plate at the wrong time. If not that then some sensor is messed up. Interestingly, after an unrelated repair, where the battery was disconnected for a while, the problem was absent for approx. a day, but then returned. This is why I'm thinking computer. Let me know if you went the differential repair route, or anything else. Thanks

Hello. I've been doing A LOT of work on our 2008 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring, as it now has 150,000 miles and the cars have a reptutation for bearing issues. Remember, these have many Ford parts and so they don't last as long as Japanese parts. Your problem is bearing related, 99% sure. Luckily, the rear bearings are easier to do than the front, which cost about $600 per side at the dealer! The bearing are very hard to get out of the knuckle, then repress, so they just replace the entire knuckle. The rear doesn't have the knuckle so it's easier to do. If you don't replace the bearings, they will seize or just get really bad and cause your wheel to wiggle around freely eventually.

Hi Leo, I know this thread is long since dead, but I also have a 2008 Mazda CX-9 with 94k on it and am in the process of getting the wheel bearing done. Any other things to watch out for? Also does it makes sense to just do both wheel bearings at the same time up front?

I just recently bought a Mazda CX-9 and started hearing noise on the rear end especially while training slowly but since I bought a used Mazda it also came with a couple of very used tires when I went to replace on the transfer case started making cracking noises after doing research couldn't come up with anything but I did notice that it started making very loud cracking noises when I replaced only two tires, so my first thought was to lift it up completely off the ground and put the vehicle on drive to see if I could locate the noise came up with nothing so after crack in my head proceeded with the most recent changes which were two tires, went out and bought four brand new tires And by doing so it did indeed eliminate my problem ( only had my Mazda for one week when I ran into this problem so glad it was solved with four brand new tires)