Strut bearing

[blue3]

my right strut bearing is making a clack clack clack sound .. should this be addressed immediately? or it isnt that signifigant
thanks

[Noisy Crow]

What the heck is a strut bearing?

Check for ice buildup, or a stray stick.

Frankly, anything suspicious with suspension should be looked at. Unless you know what the souce of the noise is, you should assume something vital is about to pop loose. Just my 2¢...

[Niteshade]

What the heck is a strut bearing?

Check for ice buildup, or a stray stick.

Frankly, anything suspicious with suspension should be looked at. Unless you know what the souce of the noise is, you should assume something vital is about to pop loose. Just my 2¢...

+1. Good advice worth at least 2¢:chuckle

[Gizzmo_jr]

Only when you make a turn by chance?

[dentinger]

mine have been blown for ages.

thats what happens when you lower your car.
it puts extra stress on the bearings.

mine arent completely blown, but turning the wheels when stopped, and you can hear it making noises. kinda like a clunking noise as you turn.
i dont think its that big of a deal. all it does is allow your struts to turn easier...

[blue3]

Only when you make a turn by chance?

yes only when i make a turn standing still , or while making a turn at like 10-15 kms

[blue3]

its a faint clunking sound , nothing very noticeable ... i guess they are just beginning to show signs of wear .

[Gizzmo_jr]

Yeah the bearings are shot. You can try taking them out and repacking them, cleaning them up but you'll eventually have to replace them.

[whiteomega]

i get a grinding/creaking noise from my suspension when i turn the wheel, but only when it's cold ( < -10C ) i suspect it's just ice buildup, but the next time i gets that cold, i'll have the dealer look at it..

[FLIPDADY]

That's what happens with the plastic bearings. If you can live with the noise leave them.

[SP33D 3]

i had a similar problem a few weeks ago but the sound happened no matter what speed when the wheel was fully turned... turned out the strut bearings AND strut mount were completely destroyed cause i hit a pothole downtown... just got a letter from the city yesterday saying its not their fault :(

[mf5781]

The bodyshop fixed my car said it's due to dry out of the bearings. He put some lubricant into them and the noise stopped. Later, when I heard the noise again, I sprayed some WD-40 into them through two small holes on the top. It helped. You can try.

[Gizzmo_jr]

WD-40 is waaaay to light of an oil for that. You need to properly disassemble and repack the bearing to do it right, besides replacing. Both involve removing the entire strut assembly.

[Noisy Crow]

Yeh. Actually, WD-40 will wash out the heavier lubricant and then it will evaporate.......

[Gizzmo_jr]

Yeh. Actually, WD-40 will wash out the heavier lubricant and then it will evaporate.......

Very good point.

[Azi]

how much is a new strut plate bearing? i dont think its too expensive. if your gonna spend all that labour to take out the strut, and disassemble the springs, you might as well put on new a new plate.

[blam]

good reason to upgrade to adjustable struts ;)

[Snodrifter]

my right strut is making a squeaking sound while vibrating on an '05 3. I first suspected a defective Toyo tire that neither Mazda nor Toyo would replace, and now I'm supecting a strut problem and wondering about getting an adjustable strut plate to fix an alignment spec problem that Mazda also doesn't want to deal with (not far enough out..I'd insisted on having it checked on pickup..no luck)