Noises in the Mazdaspeed?

[Newf]

Any weird noises in the Mazdaspeed's suspension yet? clunks squeaks etc. How cold is it where you guys are?

Just curious.

And if you only drive on smooth freeways all day, I am afraid you can't answer this question, You really need to drive over some nasty bumps where the car sways left and right ( driver - passenger side ) and get them sway bars workin hard.

[dpmmsp]

I have never been in a mp3, and the weather hasn't been great for spirited driving, but it seems to me that the "clunk" is still haunting Mazda. I haven't had time yet to figure out if the noise is the "clunk" or my shovel and box o' crap moving around in the trunk .... but I think its the former. When I picked up the msp there was an mp3 owner there. He was very upset we get a hidden antenna and he didn't. He said he has tracked down the "clunk" to be the rear sway bar hitting part of the frame. Apparently (he says ... I know shit about this stuff) there is a little space or slack where the bar is mounted. He said he disconnected part of the bar to get rid of the clunk. That make sense??????:confused:

[MrMp3]

Ya the rear sway bar was a clunk maker for sure.

[dpmmsp]

I remembered another. When I got the car, for the first half a day, there was a really annoying rattle coming from the dash or console. It was one of those high sounds that's hard to place, and happened everytime the revs hit a certain point. I was really pissed:mad: :wtf: . I thought it might be the keys, the ashtray, tried all sorts of things. Finally found it ..... there is a little ring around the base of the gear shift knob which likes to work its way loose, and then rattles. Hand tightening seems to fix it, although it has come loose once more since.:)

[Newf]

hmmmm, wonderful, so the MSP clunks as well...maybe. Digi what about yours......any noises as well?

How about squeaks while going over dips in the roads.....sounds like the struts squeaking as they compress over bumps.

[dpmmsp]

I haven't heard any squeeks or anything ..... seems pretty tight overall. Nothing from the suspension, except maybe the clunk .... I'll be interested to see what Digi says.

[digi168]

No noise in mine at all. But with the stereo turned I don't hear much of anything...

[MrMp3]

Newf keep the MP3 brutha.

MP3 4 Life
:)

[Newf]

MrMP3:

Jokes aside.....I'm thinking about it.

Then again, if I don't trade it for a MSP, and it'll be either because of the color or the clunk......I don't know what to do. Maybe a 6s if I save up more money.

[dpmmsp]

:cool: :cool: Do NOT do it for the colour!!!!!:cool: :cool:

The orange mica really is fantastic, and no picture I've seen (and I've seen a lot) comes even close to showing you how it looks in real life.

[Newf]

dmmsp: I think I got the hint dude. Your cracking me up :)

I'm waiting to see it before saying yes or no.

[DooMer_MP3]

If you guys with the MSPs get the clunk, I will be extremely happy. No, not because I'm jealous of your damn speed machine (:)), but because with the increased number of complainers, Mazda will have to get off their asses and so some research. The more the merrier, and hopefully a quicker fix.

Chris

[jroof]

What's the deal with this clunk? I've been hearing a lot about it but I've never gone over to the MP3 forum to read up. I gather that its a rear sway bar issue. Are there any fixes to it or do you just have to deal with it?

[SomaMP3]

You just have to deal with it.....we have, right Newf? I also agree with doomer_MP3....i too hope that the mazdaspeed has the same clunk so that it gets fixed faster....:cool:

[Newf]

don't get me started on the clunk

:)

[Newf]

any noises yet guys?

[dpmmsp]

Nothing to report noise-wise. I've just past 1,000kms. If anything the car is spooky quiet. The turbo can be heard as a distant high whine but only if you have the radio off (duh) and the windows done up. It's a really quiet car. The only real source of noise is if you have anything in the trunk that moves or bounces. Those noises really seem to come through.
Its tough to be definite. Once I figured out that there wasn't much mechanical to listen to, the stereo got cranked:D and its pretty much been that way ever since.

[Silver Bullit]

Well I have an ES with no clunks.......quiet as a BMW. Wanna trade suspensions? Just Kidding....lol

[Limited Edition]

Well, i've only got 68 KMs on my car right now...
and 22 km of it was not put on by me..
But on my way home from the dealer, i went over a few minor highway cracks. Nothing big, just normal day-to-day roads.
nothing from the suspension what so ever. I think it's waay too early and new for me to even notice anything funny like that.
Although, i did occasionally, here the rear deck sub mount rattle when i went over a bump or two. But i think it's normal, due to weight on the rear deck mount. It's pretty heavy IMO.

[Newf]

this sounds good so far, but only time will tell. You guys need to have a lot more miles on them yet to tell. Driving over bumps that make the car sway left to right ( drivers - passenger) is the easiest way to hear it when it happens. Don't need to be really big ass bumps or anything. Just pulling over a curb at an angle so only one wheel goes over it at a time is a quick test.

When i see the car for the first time, I'm getting under it and comparing the bushings.

Thanks guys

[Limited Edition]

newf..
you sound like you know alot about suspension components.
Do you know what the red colour bar underneath the front of the car is? Is that some kind of sway bar? i've never seen any aftermarket parts for any car that offers this.

Would you know if the rear tie bar (is it a tie bar?) that has 'racing beat' written on it is printed on? or is it just a sticker that can easily fall off?

[Newf]

They are the sway bars. Front and back. Both Red. They are powder coated I do believe and the Racing Beat is painted on.

[slug420]

hey newf, how loud is this clunk? can you hear it over the radio?

[LaZaBLuEMp3]

u said something about a noise comin from the console?? i have the same thing coming fron the right side. but i figured out what it was. well basically. if u remover the side panel runing in between the passenger windowand windshield. there should be a metal piece thats underneath. ull know what im talking about. unbolt it. there should be 3 screws u can remover with a socket wrench. try that and see what happens. but be careful. i brok the plastic thingy. if its not coming from there dont worry about it.

[Newf]

I can't speak for others, but in mine, yes it it plenty load to hear over the stereo.

I hope for the love of god, the MSP doesn't do it as well. It has to be the worse, and most annoying noise I've had in any car.

[Grimace]

Is replacing the sway bar bushings something the "shadetree mechanic" can do in his/her driveway? If so, once the warranty runs out, I'd be inclined to buy a boxfull and just do it with every 2nd or third oil change.

[Limited Edition]

Hey Guys.
Just got it to 120km today and i'm beginning to hear noises! DAMN.
It's no mechical noises, just interior dash/gauge cluster noise.
Everytime i engage into 1st, and pull. There's a rattle on my guage cluster housing. This also rattles when i have my stereo up at moderate volume.
If i put my hands down on the guage cluster, it stops. what can i do to prevent this noise from happening?
I think all i need is to get it tied down somehow??:confused:

[o.g.sk8er]

Originally posted by Grimace
Is replacing the sway bar bushings something the "shadetree mechanic" can do in his/her driveway? If so, once the warranty runs out, I'd be inclined to buy a boxfull and just do it with every 2nd or third oil change.

Replacing the sway bar bushings is something the shadetree mechanic can do. It is super easy. Just remove the two retaining bolts, not the end links, pop out the bushings, lube them up real good inside and out, reinstall them and you are on your way!:D

[Newf]

I always wondered though if the car should be on a ramp when doing this or not?

As for your noises.....how cold is it in TO today? I ask because all cars have certain noises in the winter that they don't normally have. Just the car going from warm to cold and so on. Any weird rattles in the dash or windows I wouldn't concern myself with. When, or if you hear the clunk it'll be obvious. You'll feel it under your feet. It starts off quiet, but gets louder.

[Limited Edition]

newf..
i think i know what you're talking about now...you feel it under your feet while driving?...does it feel like you raun over something or the car jumped something??......I think felt that before!!
is it anything serious? My car is too new to have any problems!! :(

It's about -5 degrees today...

[rowan]

Toronto weather:
http://www.theweathernetwork.com/cities/can/toronto_ON.htm

hehe

I have to laugh everytime I go over speedbumps within 5 mins of starting the car. The struts make the weirdest noises. That plus the dull clunk from the rear... It's time for service and see what the dealership thinks. :)

[o.g.sk8er]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by newf
[B]I always wondered though if the car should be on a ramp when doing this or not?


It would be a good idea simply because there is more room to work. If you use jack stands don't tighten the bolts until the car is completely on the ground or things will bind up on you.

[MPChi]

Wonder if newf or someone else can shed some light on the clunk.

I drive an MP3, and I only had 8k miles on it. I have only heard the clunk like twice. Both times when I back out my car from parking lot after work when the car is cold. But I haven't heard it anymore for more than a couple months now. When the clunk gets worse, do you hear it keeps 'clunking' while you drive, or does it only clunk on bumps? My front end does squeeks, but only when the car is cold in the morning when I go over the bump on my driveway, then it won't squeek anymore for the rest of the day.

FOR MSP OWNERS: Do you guys get the notchy 2nd gear like a good number of MP3 and Pro owners get? Its especially noticable when you upshift from 1st to 2nd when at higher rpm, like 4k or higher. It feels notchier like it needs a split second delay before the stick can slide into the slot, having the gears engaged. I have this ever since I got my car(with 3k miles on it), and wonder if the MSP has the same issue, since they share the same tranny. If you guys do find this problem, or sometime in the future, please let us Pro owners know.

Enjoy your rides! I still see plenty of butterflies in my car, even though its been a few months now. And glad that your wait has ended....at least for some of you. :)

[Limited Edition]

Mpchi..
actually there's nothing with going from 1-2. The gearbox is a nice tight feel. I think my car i just new that's all it is. I do however find it 'tight' to get it into 1st sometimes. But most manual cars are like that whenever the car is sitll rolling below 10km/h. today was the first time i did a 4000rpm shift from 2nd into 3rd and i had a hard time getting it into 3rd gear..But i don't think it was the gearbox. I think it was just me. It happens to be often when i get excited when the car starts to pull on me. I get all excited i mkiss shifts and gears...:)

[MP5s Make Ready]

Oh shut the CLUNK up!!!

:D

[DooMer_MP3]

You will know the clunk when it happens. I'm willing to bet it WILL happen soon, especially when its cold out! At first I thought it was my spare tire being loose, then I thought it was my sub being loose. Then I realized it is the now infamous clunk. Its the only part of the MP3 I truely hate and cannot stand. Have patience my friends, soon you will learn!