View Full Version : MP3 struts ....
Mine is in the shop as of yesterday getting the struts redone. Has anyone else gotten new struts, I want to make sure that the part number is right once I get it back. I was up yesterday, they had the old struts out lying on the ground, but I never seen the new ones, so I'm hoping their not stun enough to try and put ES struts in her...although should be easy enough to see the difference.
Oh, the Mazda of Canada Western District rep is coming out this way today. We purposely left the car there so he could see it when he arrives. I doubt very much that they'll actually compensate me, or actually FIX anything.....but at least he should see it first hand now. Might be wasting my time....but all I can do is try to BEAT IN THEIR HEADS that something is wrong
I love my car..... I hate my clunks and squeaks.
StuttersC
10-23-2002, 09:28 AM
What happened to your struts??
I mentioned this in another thread. They've been squeaking REALLY bad. I asked if they could just grease them up, but they decided to just replace them. I can't complain.
Before anyone starts....I know cold makes these squeak. Found that out last winter....but the squeak never really did go away in the summer, and it just got worse and worse as the year went on. Now that is getting colder again, they squeak REALLY bad now to the point where I can't even hear the radio at times.
So, I got new ones.....can't complain there. Assuming they don't beat up my rims for the 3rd time.
DooMer_MP3
10-23-2002, 10:19 AM
I dont think you need to worry about getting ES struts. The struts on the MP3 fit only the MP3 due to welding of a bracket for reinforcement on the swaybar. The ES struts probably would not fit. I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure this is the case.
Chris
Doomer, that's what I thought, just needed someone to confirm it I guess.
Well, it's been an interesting day. My dealership kept my car all day, and yesterday so that the Western Mazda dsitrict Manager whatever he's called .... bigwig...could see it. Apparantly this guy has been into MAzda for quite a long time, and was a mechanic as well. But, he just took over the district manager job and is very good to deal with.
Anyhow, he seen and heard the history on my car. Immediatly he started calling around to some of the largest MAzda dealers in Canada. Some dealers, which sold the MP3 claimed they have never heard of such a problem with the mp3. that problem being the Clunk....or the my squeaky shocks. So, Mazda of Canada is still trying to avoid it after 1 year of people bitching. Anyhow, he finally got a hold of one of the senior mechanics in Canada. apparantly, at least this is what i was told ok, this particular mechanic has been one for near 30 years. When someone in Canada can't find a fix for something....they call this guy. So, this mr. know it all says a few things they can try. Keep in mind, I now have New swaybars, bushings, links. All 1 month old. And now new struts. I'll get to the struts later on.... So, he says, maybe something is causing stress onto the bushings, therefore, causing them to wear extremely quick. He said to immediatly take the car and get a proper alignment, and specifically check the camber. I don't know how bad she was off yet, I'll know when I see the paper tomorrow. Anyways, he says, maybe as the car turns, and since there is little give in the suspension being as it is, then the "weakest" part is taking all of the weight...this is of course assuming that the camber is off a LOT. So, my car got a free alignment today. Which is good, because I wanted one anyways. I almost laughed when I heard this....but hey, if it works...great.
Anyhow, I'm at work this whole entire time, and didn't know anything that was going and was filled in later when I went up to Mazda to get the car which wasn't ready yet, because she was getting the alignment done. So, I told the manager to take her home for me, as he lives up the road from me, and I know him well. So, I took his Van...very nice van, loaded with ground effects and all... and went home. I get a call later on, and it's the manager, and he says car is ready, you can still come and get it, or wait until I get off, and I'll bring it over to you. I thought, lets make him drive it home. Why? because I knew after getting the struts done, nothing would be fixed. And he was getting off late, when it was really cold out, so if the car was going to make a noise, now is a good time.
So, apparantly he got in the car, never drove 10 feet, and heard all of the same noises. This is after getting the new struts, and everything getting put back together today. Needless to say, he was not happy. So, he gets a hold of the district manager big shot dude....and now, 3 weeks from now, if the car isn't fixed by then...there are 3 REALLY bigwigs ( I don't know there positions, just some high up guys ) coming in, and their going to see my car.
Whew....I hate typing this much
So, it looks like something is on the go here. Whether or not something comes of it, I don't know....but Mazda of Canada CAn not say they don't know after today. I mean EVERYONE was called about this today.
Apparantly, they are making my car a priority...whatever that means. Long overdue if you ask me. Sad thing is, I don't see anything ever getting done about this.
Time will tell. I have to call on Friday about the "next step".
I'll update....stay tuned if interested.
Wish me luck too.
MP3skaterNC
10-23-2002, 09:26 PM
i got my new bushings installed today, and let me tell ya, its a big differance to me at least. the road i live on is kinda bumpy, and coming home not one squeak or thud, i was so happy. lets just hope that it holds up....
ive got a slight strut squeak too, but of course when they went to test drive the car it didn't do it. maybe if i keep complaining they will accually do something about it. but probably not...
MP3-E
10-23-2002, 10:55 PM
I also started a thread about this. Because I am also haveing my bushings replaced i also asked if they would take a look at the loud squeeks when its cold. they looked in to it and the mechanic told me that the noises are all more than likely comming from the loose bushings on the swaybars(front and rear). Mine is suposedly getting replace tomorrow if the parts come in.... Ill let you know on the follow up.
for all of you that are new around here, let me just say, I'm kinda known as the clunk fellow around here, only because I've had the most troubles with them. Everything you new guys are going through, I went through a year ago.
Your new bushings will feel better. The car will seem tighter, but, it only last a little while, depending on where you live, what roads your driving on, bumpy or not bumpy, what temperature it is where you live, does it rain a lot etc. Basically, I live where the roads are crap, it rains a lot, gets really cold at times and sooner in the year....and longer as well.
Shit, I shold just move. But, joking aside, my bushings wear faster then some guy living in California, driving on smooth roads, in Summer temperatures all year long. So, whether or not your bushings last long or not, your environment has a large effect on it.
Anyhow, good luck, but before you say you found a fix, make sure those bushings are on for at least 8 weeks.
Oh, for the record, the new struts are awesome. Car feels new again, REALLY tight in the rear.....still squeaks though :)
NYCZMP3
10-24-2002, 09:15 AM
YUP HAVING HTE SAME DIFFICULITES WITH MY DLR...THEY DONT KNOW WHAT NOISE I AM TALKIN ABOUT..WTF!!!!!....ARE U SERIOUS IT IS PLAIN A SDAY ...AND TODAY I HEARD IT IN THE FRNT AS WELL
Snype451
10-24-2002, 10:36 AM
Originally posted by newf
Oh, for the record, the new struts are awesome. Car feels new again, REALLY tight in the rear.....still squeaks though :)
Newf,
Keep us posted on how this turns out and if you can get the anems of the poeple you are talking to at Mazda Canada. I have a bunch of squeeking most of the time, although I can still hear the radio :D
Apparently I'm the only MP3 in Calgary that has ever seen this problem. Or as I like to think of it, I'm the only one who has brought it to their attention!
DooMer_MP3
10-24-2002, 12:03 PM
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. These are not luxury car struts. They are struts made for extremely good performance. Squeekiness in extreme temperatures was probably not even a concern at the time of manufacturing.
Chris
"Squeekiness in extreme temperatures was probably not even a concern at the time of manufacturing."
Well, that's obvious, but it doesn't excuse it. Besides, I can live with the squeak, and write it off as a "characteristic of High Performance shocks". Although, I don't know anyone with another type of car that has the shock problem. My real gripe is the clunk, and it's an obvious design flaw, and Mazda needs to step up, get of it's ass and do something about it.
I mean, come on. It's dead obvious it's the bushings clunking. I mean, I replace them....the noise goes away. Maybe for a month, but the point is, it went away. Obviously, it's the bushings. Now, name one other car in the world that has to go back to the dealer every month to get the bushings redone.
There is no excuse....Mazda f'd up. And, because we are a small minority, bottom line is, they don't care. I've even had some people from Mazda Indicate to me, that maybe that is the case. Heck, there's only 1500 mp3's right. Say, half of them at most are complaining about bushings. So what? who cares right. They tried a fix, that didn't work. That's the only effort they needed right. Screw it, let all the mp3 owners buy mazdaspeeds so we can cash in on it again.
Right whatever. I've already said, eithier fix the problem, or I'm getting rid of it, and I will NOT buy another Mazda knowing that they will only ignore or refuse to fix another problem on my next car. And imagine, the next one has a Turbo....omfg, what's going to go wrong with that?
Mazda of Canada:
"sorry, we're not aware of any clunking problem sir"
Newf !!!
" but this is my 159th time calling you guys complaining about. And I started it in Oct 2001. AND, I watched a technician do a tech flash on it back in Dec 2001, and report it via computer."
Mazda of Canada:
"sorry, we're not aware of any clunking problem sir"
I swear to god I get better and smarter service from Mcdonalds then this Mazda Tech line bulls$%^. Even my own dealer gave up on the "tech line" or whatever it's called.
BS
StuttersC
10-24-2002, 07:52 PM
Well, the way you spell it out here, "nothing" will be wrong with the Mazdaspeed, because they will "never hear about it"...
I like the way you put that stutters
hee hee
mxzoom
10-24-2002, 10:31 PM
where do u take your mp3 to penny mazda west ?if so how do u find those guys 4 service? i bought my p5 there in july as a matter of faCT
mxzoom
10-24-2002, 10:34 PM
where do u take your mp3 pennymazda west? if so how do find em 4 service ? i bought my p5 there in july as a matter of fact i think u were there that day on a friday afternoon . nice rig .:D
Small world. There was only one mp3 ever sold there, so that's me. Penney Mazda West have been fantastic to Deal with. The Manager (DP) has been more then helpful. I recommend them to everyone. I left Honda because of bad service, and overall attitude. If I buy another Mazda, at least I'll have the comfort of knowing I have a great dealership. Highly recommended.
Well, I got a call from the Dealer today. I missed the phone call, and he left a message. Said something along the lines that that district manager had gone back to the head office yesterday, and they had a huge meeting today involving most of the "big shots" . Anyhow, he says they may have found the fix for our troubles. I don't know any more information just yet, as I can't get a hold of him now, he's still on a call with Mazda Canada I think....for like an hour now.
Don't know what to think here. This might be just another "guess" on Mazda's behalf. Once I hear something else, I'll update. But, something is going on in Canada for sure today with the MP3's
Some of you may wonder why started bitching about this lately.
Think about it....their shiny new MSP is about to come out, and it's the start of their next big thing being the MAZDASPEED franchise. Seeing as the MSP is based on the MP3, anybody considering to buy the msp, at least anyone with half a clue would be concerned that the same troubles are going to happen to it as well. They know this. Bad publicity ain't going to do them no good with the MSP coming out now. It's in their best interest to fix this NOW. And it's in our best interest to start bitching NOW. Why? because once the MSP comes out.... they aren't going to care about us so much.
So, CALL YOUR DEALER NOW....TODAY, bitch, yell whatever....make them KNOW something is wrong.
DooMer_MP3
10-25-2002, 11:07 AM
Originally posted by newf
"Squeekiness in extreme temperatures was probably not even a concern at the time of manufacturing."
Well, that's obvious, but it doesn't excuse it. Besides, I can live with the squeak, and write it off as a "characteristic of High Performance shocks". Although, I don't know anyone with another type of car that has the shock problem. My real gripe is the clunk, and it's an obvious design flaw, and Mazda needs to step up, get of it's ass and do something about it.
I mean, come on. It's dead obvious it's the bushings clunking. I mean, I replace them....the noise goes away. Maybe for a month, but the point is, it went away. Obviously, it's the bushings. Now, name one other car in the world that has to go back to the dealer every month to get the bushings redone.
There is no excuse....Mazda f'd up. And, because we are a small minority, bottom line is, they don't care. I've even had some people from Mazda Indicate to me, that maybe that is the case. Heck, there's only 1500 mp3's right. Say, half of them at most are complaining about bushings. So what? who cares right. They tried a fix, that didn't work. That's the only effort they needed right. Screw it, let all the mp3 owners buy mazdaspeeds so we can cash in on it again.
Right whatever. I've already said, eithier fix the problem, or I'm getting rid of it, and I will NOT buy another Mazda knowing that they will only ignore or refuse to fix another problem on my next car. And imagine, the next one has a Turbo....omfg, what's going to go wrong with that?
Mazda of Canada:
"sorry, we're not aware of any clunking problem sir"
Newf !!!
" but this is my 159th time calling you guys complaining about. And I started it in Oct 2001. AND, I watched a technician do a tech flash on it back in Dec 2001, and report it via computer."
Mazda of Canada:
"sorry, we're not aware of any clunking problem sir"
I swear to god I get better and smarter service from Mcdonalds then this Mazda Tech line bulls$%^. Even my own dealer gave up on the "tech line" or whatever it's called.
BS
Oh, I agree completely about the clunk. Trust me, I've been in there about 4 or 5 times now to get my bushings replaced. This is why I started a thread to get a bunch of signatures/peoples' stories, and I would mail them to a few people at Mazda, but nobody seemed interested. I'll TTT the post.
But I'm glad you realize that the type of struts you have on your car are most likely going to squeak in the cold. That was the point I'm trying to make. ;)
Chris
ok, I found out some more. Here's what they said about the clunk noises.
It was a service meeting with all the head techs in Canada.
TO shorten the story, one tech said he's experienced and tried everything that my dealer has already done as well. So, what he did last, was POWDER COAT the rear sway bar. By doing so, making it a little thicker, and therefore the crappy ass bushings fit better. So far, he says that it has lasted 3 months....no problems
Now I got a problem with this , why?......
Mazda at that meeting admitted that they STILL do not recognize this as being an official problem with the mp3's. I'm talking about the clunk, remember that. AND....here it comes..... because there are so few mp3's , they don't consider this to be a priority. Now, I have a VERY good source, this is a FACT. They just DON't care.
The district manager that came here is trying to get them to make a REAL fix, as this Powder Coat nonsense is still only temporary, and it's not the responsiblily of Mazda, rather it's up to the dealers to do this. now, this district manager seems like a good guy so far, but he is afterall, only one guy.
Fucking pathetic. We are still NOWHERE.
I said to my manager. Why the hell would I buy another Mazda, mazdaspeed or whatever with this kind of attitude from Mazda of Canada. He couldn't reply.
As for the struts, Mazda of Canada says, live with it, it's the way they are, tough luck. So, I said to my dealer....did they ever hear of grease? Why not just grease them.....because what I'm hearing is obviously something that needs grease. I'll find out more on that later
if your buying an MSP, beware...that's all I got to say.
big_ben
10-25-2002, 11:44 AM
I think you mean "powder coat". I've only heard the clunk a few times. But really and truly, I don't mind it all that much. You have a car that has a VERY stiff suspension. You have to expect that it isn't going to be totally quiet and ride like a Cadillac. I only hear the squeak when I go over speed bumps during the winter in the morning when I first start it up. Maybe your MP3 clunks are worse, because you are in Canada, but I doubt it. Some people are just more picky when it comes to their car. I'm not bashing you for it, that's just the way some people are, some people could care less. Is this clunking causing a degradation in your handling? Or is it just the noise that bothers you?
first off, I'm at work and in a hurry so I typed powder wrong .....how I did it twice....not sure :)
2nd. No, I'm not that type that would start crying about noises in the car. Heck, my seat, seatbelts, dash, and shifter all squeak too, bit i've never mentioned them have I.
My squeak from the shocks is bad enough that I can't hear the stereo without turning it past 20....I have the z828. The clunk is bad enough, that I can't have a normal conversation without yelling over it,or pausing when it happens, . And when it happens at it's worse, usually in the rain, I can actually feel it thumping underneath the car through my feet. The woman is like wtf is that in our car?
And yes, it does effect the handling of the car. Every time I get the bushings replaced, there is a huge difference in the rear end...much tighter. Other people here on the site have also said the same thing.
People may not even know that their bushings are effecting their handling. I never, until I started getting them replaced often. Some people have stated here that they can actually get under the car and move the sway bar with their hands because it's so loose....I haven't tried that yet.
I know I can, lean on the car, get her swaying side to side, and you can hear the clunk noise outside the car. Actually, you need a couple of people to do this...damn car is stiff.
I've driven past people on the road, and they can hear the struts making the noises going over dips. Rare, but it happens.
So no, I'm not just some anal person crying about his poor little blue car. There is a design flaw in the bushings, and something needs to be done. Struts, I'll live with it, but I'm convinced that proper lube would work.
And for the record, this is not the first high performance car I've ever driven or owned, or the first aftermarket suspension for that matter. And Ive never heard noises like this thing.....and no one else seems to give me an example eithier. Well, ok there was one guy with a Rustang and aftermaket struts....but come on....it's a Rustang :)
big_ben
10-25-2002, 12:30 PM
Calm down, I wasn't attacking you for it. My car definetely isn't that bad. I have to turn the radio completely off to hear the clunk you all are talking about. That's the only time I've ever heard it. But I can hear the squeak of the struts when it's very cold. But after I've driven a few miles they warm up and the sound goeas away.
As for the not having anymore confidence in Mazda, I totally agree. If i had as many problem as you are having, I'd use the Lemon Law and get my money back and go buy a WRX like tomarrow. Do you have the Lemon Law in Canada? In the States, if you constantly have problems with the car, and none of the repairs work, you can get a full refund for the car. It's a hassle, but it almost always works.
Big Ben. I didn't think you were attacking me.....I didn't mean to come across like that. I'm just having a B#$% of a day, and I'm in a serious rush. And Mazda is calling me from time to time today keeping me up to date, and it's just starting to piss me off.
I didn't realize that when I bought my MP3, I would be wasting so much of my life/time with this crap
Anyhow, gotta go.
DooMer_MP3
10-25-2002, 04:56 PM
Originally posted by big_ben
... Maybe your MP3 clunks are worse, because you are in Canada, but I doubt it...
While not in Canada, I am in Wisconsin, and I can certainly say that the clunk SUCKS. It starts off being minor like you mentioned, but if left for a few weeks, it will rattle on ANYTHING. I mean, it happens on the tarlines on the road!
Also, there is a definite change in the handling. It feels quite loose during this period.
It IS a problem Mazda should address. My struts squeek in the winter, but I expect it. They DO stop im the warmer months though, so I dont have the problem newf has.
Chris
GIJana
09-19-2007, 06:40 AM
Sorry to bring up an old thread, but I'm curious to find out if this problem has been resolved seeing as it's now 2007.
As I've mentioned in another thread, I'm looking at an MP3 for sale.
However I don't want to get it (Seeing as I can get a mint 2003 protege ES for the same price) if I have to replace the MP3's bushings every couple of months.
I live in Nova Scotia, where it snows A LOT and is not exactly warm like california.
Anyhow any input would be great. Thanks
JoeManNorth
09-19-2007, 09:20 AM
Dude, I'm in Ontario and frequently go down to Northern Ontario. It took my bushings about a year before the clunk came back. The squeek though came after one of the trips there and back (roughfly 16 hrs of driving). The squeek is a quick fix, the clunk you have to change the bushings. Eeather way I look at it, even with the clunk, this car is worth every little issue it has.
CulRidr
09-19-2007, 11:10 AM
GIJana...the "clunk" (if you search it, you'll find a zillion threads) is a problem that was fixed a while ago...if you have the proper hardware: http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123679421
EVERYONE who has bought one hasn't regretted it...and before you ask, yes I do have this myself. I NEVER "clunk", I just need to grease my suspension every once in a while (first time was in May (I bought it in March), 2nd time was just recently).
If the clunk is what you are going to consider the makeORbreak of your purchase, just buy the bracket (which btw Racing Beat had originally designed, evolv just made a "copy" of it for the MP3, but Mazda didn't use it because it was too expensive to add to the car). Worth every penny, and the car does handle slightly better with it.
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