Clunking/Rubbing Sound (Extreme Temps)

[Junior]

If this isn't in the right forum, please move.

I only post this as a question since I'm not sure if I'm just noticing things because of the extreme cold or what but the last two days (and on past occasions) I've noticed a sound that sound like it's coming from the suspension on my 2012 speed 3.

First time I've noticed anything out of place since buying the car last May.

The sound is very similar to what tires sound like when making contact with the fenders (rubbing tires), except I'm running stock tires and stock suspension and I only seem to notice it when it's cold. Doesn't have to be extremely cold, but even zero degreed it's clear. Gets louder when going over bumps/potholes, so that's why I'm thinking suspension. Wondering if it's happening to anyone else.

My car has 25,000 km, and is completely factory. Nothing added or taken away.

Even after driving the car up to normal operating temps, the rubbing/clunking is still there when going over bumps/dips in the road, so I'm trying to figure out if I need to dig deeper or just let the temps warm up and re-investigate.

Any info would be great. Thanks

[mickey_g]

Its normal...as long as the clunking sound goes away after the car has warmed up

[optiklenz13]

Yup.. Mine sounds like it's going to break yesterday and this morning. Had the same issue with my genwon. I guess Mazda hasn't addressed it on the genpu..

[jwoods_24]

Same issue with my stock 2010 ms3. Unfortunately I think it's common, but it does seem to settle down once warmed up.

[Junior]

Alright so it's not a unique issue then.

Anyone know what the cause it/what is actually making noise?

[SomeGuy]

Mine does it too...a crunch noise like snow in the wheel wells at the front. They changed my FSB bushings this summer and I was hoping it would clear up the noise but it didn't correct it I'm guessing bushings on the lower control arms. Regardless it's something in the suspension (bushings/rubber) that contracts/gets hard when it's really cold and just makes an ugly noise. Only does it when it's below -15c or so and only on big rolling bumps were the suspension gets really compressed.

[Junior]

Mine does it too...a crunch noise like snow in the wheel wells at the front. They changed my FSB bushings this summer and I was hoping it would clear up the noise but it didn't correct it I'm guessing bushings on the lower control arms. Regardless it's something in the suspension (bushings/rubber) that contracts/gets hard when it's really cold and just makes an ugly noise. Only does it when it's below -15c or so and only on big rolling bumps were the suspension gets really compressed.

Awesome info. Thanks.

[Zotaga]

I had the same issue.. but after my rear shock mount blew and I replaced the mount and the shocks.. the noise went with it.

[mazdaspeeding]

Same issue here as OP. These cars absolutely hate the cold. Only drove my Speed one winter, the 1st and it hated every second of it. For a brand new car it's quite disappointing.

[miako]

No need for concern here OP, I've owned 3 Mazda vehicles, they have the same sound when it's extremely cold outside. Especially when you leave it overnight outside it, sounded like something is scraping hard in the wheel wells. Sometimes though, I do have snow build ups in the wheel wells where the tire will scrape the hard snow, but that will cause some minimal vibrations. It'll go away after a few kms.

[Junior]

Thanks for the input all around.

[CloudPump]

Same issue.

Goes away once warm. I'm not too concerned.

-Geoff

[Pacman]

2011 speed here and when colder than minus ten, it creaks on every bump.

It's the bushings I think.

[JeaneR]

been having this problem too, kind of scared me at first, didnt know wtf whats going on, got out a couple times to look around but did not notice anything out of the ordinary...

[komodo]

I posted the same issues in another thread that got locked. Cause I didn't find this one.
Well well. This is just crap. I can't believe everybody is complacent with this issue.
In no way should there be scraping/clunking noises when the temp. drops.
This is a poor design issue. I want to know what the actual root cause is.
If there is scraping/clunking. Then guess what something is moving when it shouldn't be.
I drive my car all year and don't want to be driving a car that sounds like a POS.
I've driven many cars over the years and this is not normal. Especially on a new car with low mileage.
I'm not impressed. And neither should anybody here.
Just because we are fans of the car doesn't mean we should sit back and accept a poor quality product.

[miako]

inb4someonesayssellthecar

seriously though, the suspension does have squeaking sounds when it's extremely cold out, I've got used to it. Does it mean it's a cheap car? maybe? I think I kinda got used to it after I knew nothing is broken and it just squeaks. It's all up to you on how you think about it. I mean it's like vibes, can't fix it.. get use to it.

or you can take some advices from ppl around here, change the bushing maybe? or just bring it back to the dealer and ask wtf is that sound?

[mikey32235]

its normal it happens in many cars. park it in the garage or just deal with it lol. cant wait for summer

[Zotaga]

Mazda works with Ford.. Enough said lol

[MazdaMike02]

Mazda works with Ford.. Enough said lol

Not anymore. Ford owns 2% now. Mitsutoyo is majority shareholder. POS rebadged Ford products are the Tribute and Bseries. Mazda 6 was also a Ford product and a gigantic POS until now. I speak from experience working on these vehicles.

There is a TSB that states a rubbing noise may come from the rear shocks 2010-2013 vehicles. This is caused by the bump stop rubbing and making noise on the rear shocks. If you want guys you can just yank the bump stop and cover down, lube up the shock shaft with silicone brake lube and put it back together. Thats all the TSB is.

[komodo]

Not anymore. Ford owns 2% now. Mitsutoyo is majority shareholder. POS rebadged Ford products are the Tribute and Bseries. Mazda 6 was also a Ford product and a gigantic POS until now. I speak from experience working on these vehicles.

There is a TSB that states a rubbing noise may come from the rear shocks 2010-2013 vehicles. This is caused by the bump stop rubbing and making noise on the rear shocks. If you want guys you can just yank the bump stop and cover down, lube up the shock shaft with silicone brake lube and put it back together. Thats all the TSB is.

^See that's useful information.
"It's normal" isn't right because it's not normal. I've driven many different vechicles from the cheapest to some of the most expensive and this isn't normal. People are in denial they don't want to accept that there is an issue with the car.

[Timotee]

My 2013 only has 3000 clicks on it and it went crazy clunking this morning. I knew it was due to the extreme temperature. Good to know that there is a TSB addressing this issue.

[Aitch]

Yeah I had a crunchy rubbing sound from the back today. Could definitely be the shocks.

[MazdaMike02]

Heres some more to help you guys out.

2010-2012 MAZDA3 - RATTLE NOISE FROM REAR STABILIZER
Caused by endlink securing nuts which need to be replaced and torqued.

2010-2013 MAZDA3 - SQUEAK OR KNOCK NOISE FROM REAR STABILIZER
This one states there is an updated part for the sway bar itself and it gets changed.

2010-2012 MAZDA3 WITH 17 INCH WHEELS - CREAK NOISE FROM REAR SHOCK
This is the one I was talking about, thats what it applies to.

Those are all the TSBS relating to the issues mentioned in this thread.

[SomeGuy]

Except mine comes from the front lol

[Bully Dog Racing]

Except mine comes from the front lol

Same here...front only.