Suspension Creaks in Rain and Other Noises

[GTVic]

I'll just report all my noises/issues. Comments are appreciated. I posted elsewhere about a ticking engine noise.

On my street we have these speed control things called "humps" which are basically really large speed bumps. When it is raining (or just after a car wash) my suspension creaks when I go up over a hump and again when coming back down. If I go over at an angle I think it is not so noticeable but I will have to recheck that. At first I thought it was the rear but now it might be the front too, again I will have to recheck.

Going into the car wash, they have a spray that cleans the underside of the car and immediately something starts squealing. I thought it was the car wash but this time I stopped the car right away and shut off the engine and the squealing stopped and then came back when I restarted.

Power steering is quite loud when turning at low speed. After the engine is turned off there is a noticeable wind down noise just before the car is totally silent and just after the engine noise disappears.

Turning on/off the vent fan results in a large clunk sound from the front of the car.

Adjusting the temperature controls seems to automatically turn on the A/C or the air recirculation modes depending on which adjustment you make. What is with that, very annoying?

Driving in heavy rain I notices substantial dripping sounds in the door frame and the swishing of the water on the undercarriage was very noticeable (compared with my 1989 323 which did have the under coating applied). So I'm thinking about getting undercoating to solve that and cut down on road noise that I hear on older/rougher asphalt roads in dry weather.

Other than the above, the only complaint is that I wish the ride was a little less harsh on the uneven parts of the road. The GS doesn't have the ultra low profile tires like the GX does but maybe the medium low profile tires are still to blame. Any suggestions?

[5_Alive]

Undercoating will reduce road and tire noise, as for swishing of the water on the undercarriage, if it happens when you are driving, this is normal. The Mazda3 isn't a Lexus, you will hear some things.

The squeak you may be hearing is more than likely your end-links. Remove, clean, grease and re-install. This should solve your problem.

The noise you may be hearing when shutting off the car could be the fan or the intake, this is sometimes normal under certain conditions.

I just noticed that your car is also a 2008.5; bring the car into a dealer to have it inspected and checked. A lot of times if you do something yourself, you may void your warranty. Many people have had great luck with Northwood and Oakville Mazda.

Keep us updated as to what you had done, in case others experience the same issues you have.
Also, what is the mileage on your car so others can compare?

[mazdas3sporte]

mine does the same thing but only when the temp outside dips below 0 degrees, i got something lubed at the dealer last year which reduced the noise but i still get it in cold weather, i dont think its an issue though, u cant have a perfect economy car with zero problems

[GTVic]

The noise you may be hearing when shutting off the car could be the fan or the intake, this is sometimes normal under certain conditions.

Also, what is the mileage on your car so others can compare?
I'm at 4150km. The noise of the power steering when I'm turning in a quiet area (ie. underground parking) is a noticeable medium-high pitch whine. I believe the sound I hear at shutoff is that power steering noise winding down. My brother thinks the power steering fluid is low.

BTW, I'm posting from Victoria, BC. Seemed like a good forum so I joined despite the geographical distance from Toronto.

Thanks for the tip on the endlinks, I will get my dealer to check during my first tuneup. Any ideas on the squealing from the car wash underspray?

[sas]

Creaking sound can to do any rubber sealed link.
On brand new car, I more suspect, stabiliser's or lower arm's holders.
Squealing sound, most probably, from A/C or alternator belt.
Maybe, belt is dirty or too weak.
Alternator belt has tensioner. A/C belt is maintenance free.
Du you have cover under engine? Must be.
You have to make dealer to eliminate it. Sounds it is not only discomfort,
it is wearing too.
Steering pump?
Yes, when it's doing it on speed,I'm dropping something on floor.

[whiteomega]

I'm at 4150km. The noise of the power steering when I'm turning in a quiet area (ie. underground parking) is a noticeable medium-high pitch whine. I believe the sound I hear at shutoff is that power steering noise winding down. My brother thinks the power steering fluid is low.

BTW, I'm posting from Victoria, BC. Seemed like a good forum so I joined despite the geographical distance from Toronto.

Thanks for the tip on the endlinks, I will get my dealer to check during my first tuneup. Any ideas on the squealing from the car wash underspray?

My power steering is a bit loud too..you can definitely hear mine in the underground; I don't think it's a problem. I've also noticed a slight whine after I shut off the car; others on this forum have (i think) said this is the electronic throttle returning to the off position; it's probably not an isssue.

As for the other squeaks and squeals, I would have the belts in the engine checked, also make sure the under-engine splash shield is secure (this prevents most of the water from the underbody wash from getting into the engine bay), as well as all the stabilizer endlink bushings, etc.

Any mods on the car? (I had a nasty squeak when cold, turns out this was the bumpstomps on my aftermarket suspension not having enough grease on them)

[GTVic]

Any mods on the car? (I had a nasty squeak when cold, turns out this was the bumpstomps on my aftermarket suspension not having enough grease on them)

No mods. I'm interested in an aftermarket suspension. Is that for performance or smoother ride?

[5_Alive]

Aftermarket suspension can be had for both. You can't really have the best of both worlds with one suspension setup, unless you buy a really good set of adjustable coil-overs.
I'll let the suspension guys chime in on this as I am not an expert in this department.

[whiteomega]

No mods. I'm interested in an aftermarket suspension. Is that for performance or smoother ride?

Ok..then chances are it's a bushing, belt, or some other rubberized moveable part. I'd have the dealership check it.

With regards to which aftermarket suspension you want, check out the performance modification section.

[GTVic]

Well, two years later I finally got the main creaking problem fixed. They replaced a strut, replaced the lower control arms, greased the bumpstops, lubed the sway bar bushings and finally replaced the lower control arms a second time with a new redesigned part. The last one seems to have fixed the problem but I probably won't know for sure until the rainy/cold season. The first time they replaced the lower control arms with the original part the noise disappeared for two weeks so it seems like a good bet.

The two main things that still bother me are a valve (actuator shutter valve or another one nearby) that seems to rattle (not the injectors) and it is noticeable when idling and the constant clunking on/off every 20 seconds of the compressor motor in the summer or in the winter when the defrost is on.

Two other noises are a little popping in the bottom corner of the windshield in cold weather when going over bumps and a strange sound (like the sound of half empty plastic water bottles bumping together) that happens very occasionally.

Thanks for all the help BTW...

[liquidzyklon]

Two other noises are a little popping in the bottom corner of the windshield in cold weather when going over bumps and a strange sound (like the sound of half empty plastic water bottles bumping together) that happens very occasionally.

Thanks for all the help BTW...You mention of the windshield rattle has a fix here. (http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?28741-Windshield-Dash-Cowl-Rattle&highlight=windshield+creak)