Knocking/clunking noise when turning left or right

[McGuyver_3]

Hi everyone,
Wondering if anyone has a similar experience because I am almost going A-Wall trying to find this clunk/knock noise.
When i turn aggresively left or right and go over a cut curb for a driveway for example i hear a clunk/knock noise and I can feel it through the floor boards. I have inspected my motor mounts, I have my stock shocks reinstalled, I have checked my sway bars my wheel bearings, my hubs my tightness of the subframe my steering rack my axles and I have NO IDEA what it could be. The car is SOLID. Nothing is loose no abnormal vibrations. Yes I do have warranty but every time I go to the dealer they find some reason not to diag it properly or at all and I just want to know were this noise is comming from. GAAAA anyone PLEASE HELP

[Thrizzl3]

end links, rear struts? where is the sound coming from?

[McGuyver_3]

checked the endlinks with the sway bars no dice. You also wouldnt be able to feel it in the floor boards. Would mainly make a hell of a lot of noise though and would be more consistant. Mine happens only when turning aggresively and or over bumps while turning
forgot to mention its comming from the right front

[Thrizzl3]

i remember paul talking about this..he actually had a bent front subframe. lol. Did you ask him already?

[McGuyver_3]

he had clicking and i remember that. Mine you can actually feel and there is a physical clunk like something is flopping back and forth

[Thrizzl3]

check the rmm, pmm and right strut tower to see that the bolts are all snug....ive never heard of such an issue

[McGuyver_3]

Trust me Phil I have checked all of these bolts mounts and everything. This is why I am going A-Wall. I wouldnt have posted here if I hadn't gone over this already. But I appreciate you trying and thank you for it

[aris]

Check wheel bearings ...

[Flagrum_3]

You check under your seats for any loose items? ;-P

Or better yet let me take your car for a test drive and figure it out for you :thumbsup.

_3

[xxSlidewaysxx]

Link shaft, it hides right behind the engine, it may be worn, try pushing it in and out of the transmission, if it moves replace it.

[Booter22]

Check wheel bearings ...

he said in the first post he checked this already..

there is this tsb for noise i posted in another thread, could this in relation to your noise?

TSB: 02-11-04
2010-2012 MAZDASPEED3 - SQUEAK OR KNOCK NOISE FROM FRONT STABILIZER
APPLICABLE MODEL(S)/VINS
2010-2012 Mazdaspeed3

DESCRIPTION
Some vehicles may exhibit a squeak or knock noise from the front end of the vehicle when passing over a bump. This is caused by dust entering between the stabilizer bar and stabilizer bushing and damaging the coating applied to the bushing, resulting in excessive clearance.
To stop the noise, the left and right front stabilizer bushings are replaced with new ones and dust covers with bands are installed.
Customers having this concern should have their vehicle repaired using the following repair procedure.

diag notes
1. Pinpoint the source of the noise using a noise detection tool such as “ChassisEar” or drive over a bump with the stabilizer control links (left and right) disconnected. If the noise is gone, the causal part is the stabilizer bushings.

[aris]

It's still early in the morning... I didn't see that he posted he checked it all ready

[McGuyver_3]

Link shaft, it hides right behind the engine, it may be worn, try pushing it in and out of the transmission, if it moves replace it.

You mean the shaft comming out of the transmission on the passenger side prior to the axle that goes in to the hub and bearing assembly? That shaft has play but I have showed it to my coworkers and they say the play is normal.


You check under your seats for any loose items? ;-P

Or better yet let me take your car for a test drive and figure it out for you :thumbsup.

_3

Lol


he said in the first post he checked this already..

there is this tsb for noise i posted in another thread, could this in relation to your noise?

TSB: 02-11-04
2010-2012 MAZDASPEED3 - SQUEAK OR KNOCK NOISE FROM FRONT STABILIZER
APPLICABLE MODEL(S)/VINS
2010-2012 Mazdaspeed3

DESCRIPTION
Some vehicles may exhibit a squeak or knock noise from the front end of the vehicle when passing over a bump. This is caused by dust entering between the stabilizer bar and stabilizer bushing and damaging the coating applied to the bushing, resulting in excessive clearance.
To stop the noise, the left and right front stabilizer bushings are replaced with new ones and dust covers with bands are installed.
Customers having this concern should have their vehicle repaired using the following repair procedure.

diag notes
1. Pinpoint the source of the noise using a noise detection tool such as “ChassisEar” or drive over a bump with the stabilizer control links (left and right) disconnected. If the noise is gone, the causal part is the stabilizer bushings.

I don't know if you would feel that in the floor boards but I will deffinately try this out tonight after work. Good thing is I have access to chasis ears as well. Thanks for the bulletin and I will keep all of you updated

Aris- sorry forgot to multi quote your statement but I have checked the bearings as on my 10 sedan I had one go on me

[sudz]

I'll be honest, I haven't read the whole thread, but My two cents: I currently have this sound, its been happining for 60,000km now. Tiffany (while still at QEW mazda) told me that occasionally "play" develops in the strut mount - Its like cup that holds the top of the strut in, and sometimes a mm or two of play will build in there - so when stress goes on it (going onto driveways, Tight turns, bumps, at slow speeds, it will shift and "clunk")

I am anal about having my steering wheel shake, and it hasn't affected my alignment, no abnormal tire ware, etc. The steering is still tight after 153,000km, so I cope with it, as pretty much everythign has to come out to replace it. When my front struts blow, Then i'll replace it.

[BlueStreak]

Could also be the bearing in the top hat of the strut. Pretty sure that is what is causing mine.

Did you have this problem before you removed the BCs?

[xxSlidewaysxx]

You mean the shaft comming out of the transmission on the passenger side prior to the axle that goes in to the hub and bearing assembly? That shaft has play but I have showed it to my coworkers and they say the play is normal.




A little is OK if it's not the bearing moving, if the bearing inside the mounting flange is moving then that might be the source of the noise. I had the same issue as you a "clunck clunck" turning right and left, you could have sold me new CV joints.

I posted a pic in a different thread, srry for the large size, you won't see the true play in this until it is out of the car.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq61/PuckBag_2008/LinkShaft.jpg

[McGuyver_3]

I'll be honest, I haven't read the whole thread, but My two cents: I currently have this sound, its been happining for 60,000km now. Tiffany (while still at QEW mazda) told me that occasionally "play" develops in the strut mount - Its like cup that holds the top of the strut in, and sometimes a mm or two of play will build in there - so when stress goes on it (going onto driveways, Tight turns, bumps, at slow speeds, it will shift and "clunk")

I am anal about having my steering wheel shake, and it hasn't affected my alignment, no abnormal tire ware, etc. The steering is still tight after 153,000km, so I cope with it, as pretty much everythign has to come out to replace it. When my front struts blow, Then i'll replace it.

It was happening with my bc's installed as well. I thought it was the coils but I could never get anything to move on the coils. My stock suspension has about 5000km on it as when it was purchased I put the coils on the next day pretty much. Bought the car as a demo


Could also be the bearing in the top hat of the strut. Pretty sure that is what is causing mine.

Did you have this problem before you removed the BCs?

With and without the bc coils same noise. Stock suspension only has roughly 5k kms on it from when it was a demo



A little is OK if it's not the bearing moving, if the bearing inside the mounting flange is moving then that might be the source of the noise. I had the same issue as you a "clunck clunck" turning right and left, you could have sold me new CV joints.

I posted a pic in a different thread, srry for the large size, you won't see the true play in this until it is out of the car.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq61/PuckBag_2008/LinkShaft.jpg

Yes that is the shaft that I am also referring to. Were exactly is it that the play exists?

[CelestSpeed3]

We should have a look at the swaybar to frame connections.

[xxSlidewaysxx]

Yes that is the shaft that I am also referring to. Were exactly is it that the play exists?

You can see the play from the passenger side when it's in the car. Use a flashlight, grab the :No Homo Smiley shaft, if it moves and you see the bearing moving in the housing, then it's worn. The one in that picture came out of the flange with 1 hit from a 16 oz hammer. If the motion is between the shaft and bearing, it's not so likely that it's an issue. I'll get a video of it tomorrow if you need it.

[McGuyver_3]

i am getting the play side to side however i will need to take a closer inspection in to what you are saying in conjunction with the bearing. I appreciate the input so far to you and everyone else. A video would be nice to more clearly understand what it is you are saying. I have a rough idea but would like to see it

[xxSlidewaysxx]

you can see the bearing moving in the flange.... these parts brand new should have NO play what so ever.....


http://s434.photobucket.com/albums/qq61/PuckBag_2008/?action=view&current=VID-20120309-00016.mp4

[McGuyver_3]

So no new updates as of yet because I ended up helping a coworker with his car. Oh well ill have to find the noise next week.
Thanks for the video though I will see if I can remove the shaft and check the play in it

[loosecannon]

So no new updates as of yet because I ended up helping a coworker with his car. Oh well ill have to find the noise next week.
Thanks for the video though I will see if I can remove the shaft and check the play in it

Did you find out what the problem was, Dan? My car is beginning to "clunk" as well, when I turn left and right (only happens at speeds slower than 15km/h). I just hope its nothing that'll cost me an arm, leg and my first born child.

[McGuyver_3]

I am actually still investigating. From speaking to people and things I have read I have found out that the sway bar itself may be hitting the sub frame. My next step is to replace the sway bar bushings with pulyurethane ones. Doesn't make much sense but I hope they have less play then the rubber does and it stops the noise.
Judging by your signature shouldnt you have warranty left?

[loosecannon]

I am actually still investigating. From speaking to people and things I have read I have found out that the sway bar itself may be hitting the sub frame. My next step is to replace the sway bar bushings with pulyurethane ones. Doesn't make much sense but I hope they have less play then the rubber does and it stops the noise.
Judging by your signature shouldnt you have warranty left?

Sway bar? But isn't that in the rear?

My warranty expired in February. I'm at ~88,000km. I had the basic warranty.

[McGuyver_3]

sway bars are in the front and the rear
So you must have gotten the 10 early like when I had my sedan

[loosecannon]

sway bars are in the front and the rear
So you must have gotten the 10 early like when I had my sedan

Oh I didn't know there were front sway bars. I received my '10 in the first week of January in 2010.

[Jackal]

I am actually still investigating. From speaking to people and things I have read I have found out that the sway bar itself may be hitting the sub frame. My next step is to replace the sway bar bushings with pulyurethane ones. Doesn't make much sense but I hope they have less play then the rubber does and it stops the noise.
Judging by your signature shouldnt you have warranty left?

The front sway bar was what I was thinking from the beginning but you said you had checked that. My friend had an aftermarket FSB installed and the bushing came loose. He had to tighten or replace forget which one.

[xxSlidewaysxx]

Check your drive shafts. I had a hole in one of the boots..... it caused a whole lot of vibration, also, knocked a whole ton turning left and right.

You will need to drop the whole knuckle off, most likely your drivers side and try to rotate the end, If you can't complete the full 360 without stiffness, it's the CV.... try pushing on the boot itself, it should pop back out if you put a dent in it, if it doesn't pop, you more then likely have contamination..... Good luck.

[Flagrum_3]

Check your drive shafts. I had a hole in one of the boots..... it caused a whole lot of vibration, also, knocked a whole ton turning left and right.

You will need to drop the whole knuckle off, most likely your drivers side and try to rotate the end, If you can't complete the full 360 without stiffness, it's the CV.... try pushing on the boot itself, it should pop back out if you put a dent in it, if it doesn't pop, you more then likely have contamination..... Good luck.

Doubt it's a CV shaft, only because when driven in the vehicle; there are no driving vibrations, no clicking when he turns, either way, and the clunking occurs driving also in a straight line, but when he hits an irregularity in the road. I would venture to guess he may be looking in the right direction, as it may be a worn/cracked bushing. Which bushing is also in question as you can feel the clunk directly under the passenger footwell/seat area. But most likely a suspension component or arm.

_3

[xxSlidewaysxx]

"When i turn aggresively left or right and go over a cut curb for a driveway for example i hear a clunk/knock noise and I can feel it through the floor boards. I have inspected my motor mounts, I have my stock shocks reinstalled, I have checked my sway bars my wheel bearings, my hubs my tightness of the subframe my steering rack my axles and I have NO IDEA what it could be."

copied from OP........ Sounds like something that gets loaded up while turning........ So CV's or Suspension..... I didn't think I had an issue with my CV till it was almost ready to explode.... by the sounds of it, McGuyver has checked everything else..... just sayin....

[Turkleton]

I am actually still investigating. From speaking to people and things I have read I have found out that the sway bar itself may be hitting the sub frame. My next step is to replace the sway bar bushings with pulyurethane ones. Doesn't make much sense but I hope they have less play then the rubber does and it stops the noise.
Judging by your signature shouldnt you have warranty left?

Just wondering if you've switched out the old bushings yet. My car had about 76,000km on it when I started to hear a similar clunking sound from the front. It only occurred at low speeds (or maybe I could only hear it at low speeds), and was exacerbated by going over bumps with the wheels turned too. I had read on MSF that the OEM bushings on our cars tend to wear out, so I swapped out the front ones and that fixed the problem. When I compared the old bushings with the new ones, the old ones had about 2mm greater diameter from wear on the inside where it's supposed to hold the front sway bar.

[MistaChin]

I just started hearing clunking when I turn left and right and also when going straight but hitting a small irregularity in the road as well. I'm taking it in to Whitby Mazda today to see what's up. I'm also getting some nasty vibrations when I feather the throttle which I suspect is a RMM but I'm not sure if it's related until I hear back from Mazda.

Will update today.

[Flagrum_3]

"When i turn aggresively left or right and go over a cut curb for a driveway for example i hear a clunk/knock noise and I can feel it through the floor boards. I have inspected my motor mounts, I have my stock shocks reinstalled, I have checked my sway bars my wheel bearings, my hubs my tightness of the subframe my steering rack my axles and I have NO IDEA what it could be."

copied from OP........ Sounds like something that gets loaded up while turning........ So CV's or Suspension..... I didn't think I had an issue with my CV till it was almost ready to explode.... by the sounds of it, McGuyver has checked everything else..... just sayin....

Well if you read my post I said 'when driven' meaning I have been driven in the OPs vehicle and listened carefully to the sound. That is where I get my info. As I said it also produces the sound in straight line driving and does not have any of the 'regular' traits of defective CV shafts. It could be still so that it's the shafts but highly unlikely just due to the irregularity of the noise. I'm just saying suspension would be my first guess and most likely a bushing as Dan has assumed....It's a pretty hefty clunk btw.

_3