2010 Windshield Creaking/Cowel ?

[seaneeboi]

I have read posts on people that have had that annoying tapping sound, creaking noise from the windshield area. Sounds like its where the dash meets the windshield but then again I could be wrong. I only hear it when its a bit cold and I hit small bumps. I know 2005-2009 owners stated there was a TSB or at least a fix for this problem however what about the 2010?

Help!

[casperwonder]

Honestly, there is no real fix on this problem. Just crank up the stereo and live with it.

[seaneeboi]

Thats good to know and yes turning up the music is ok but im on the phone a lot and it drive me nuts! There has to be a fix!

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

Honestly, there is no real fix on this problem. Just crank up the stereo and live with it.

Honestly, yes there is. I've had the TSB performed and it corrected the problem entirely. What kind of advice is this???





I have read posts on people that have had that annoying tapping sound, creaking noise from the windshield area. Sounds like its where the dash meets the windshield but then again I could be wrong. I only hear it when its a bit cold and I hit small bumps. I know 2005-2009 owners stated there was a TSB or at least a fix for this problem however what about the 2010?

Help!

Here is a copy of the TSB. There are cowl clips that simply need to be replaced. It will fix your problem if your dealer executes the TSB 'properly'. This is the link to the TSB and I will also paste the entire thing in here. Note that this TSB does not include the 2010 models, but if you are having the same problem, I would discuss with the dealer trying to have this applied to your car to see if it resolves it.

http://www.protegefaq.net/tsb/mt000005636.html

CHATTERING NOISE AT BASE OF WINDSHIELD COWL GRILL
Applicable Models
Model Starting S/N Ending S/N Model Spec
MAZDA3 2007-2008 000000 ZZZZZZ

Related Category/Subcategory/Symptoms
BODY AND ACCESSORY / ON-BOARD TROUBLESHOOTING / UNUSUAL NOISE(EXCL. PINGING,SQUEAKING,OPERATION,RESONANCE)
BODY AND ACCESSORY / EXTERIOR TRIM / EXCESSIVE OPERATION NOISE
BODY AND ACCESSORY / WINDOW GLASSES / UNUSUAL VIBRATION/CHATTER
BODY AND ACCESSORY / TRIMS AND MATS/CARPET / RESONANCE NOISE
BODY AND ACCESSORY / INSTR.PANEL/GLOVEBOX / UNUSUAL NOISE(EXCL. PINGING,SQUEAKING,OPERATION,RESONANCE)


MTOL - 5636 Dealer Repair Information
Symptom and Conditions

Some customers may experience a chattering noise when passing over bumps
and/or driving on a rough roads,that may be confused as a dash rattle
at the base of the windshield.

Condition may be the result of a stick slips noise that occurs between
the cowl grill and the windshield.

Repair Procedure

When you encounter a customer with this concern replace the insulator
pads on the 8 hooks of the cowl grill with improved part as listed.

Part No. L206-50-794 Qty. 8 (4 per side)

Lastly, here are 2 links to Mazda3 recall and TSB's. There are a lot of new 2010 TSB's, which is to be expected in a first year production vehicle. You should look through them.

http://www.finishlineperformance.com/store/pages.php?pageid=12

http://www.protegefaq.net/tsb/mazda3.html

[cwp_sedan]

The new pads may help but then again it may not solve the problem. Some people have had it come back again.

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

The new pads may help but then again it may not solve the problem. Some people have had it come back again.

That's why I added the part about the dealer correctly implementing the TSB... I know of at least 3 cases where someone had this problem, took the TSB to the dealer and all the dealer ended up doing was running some insulation strip and not replacing the actual clips. I've had both done in my MS3. The insulation stripping will minimize the noise, but won't eliminate it. The clips will.

[cwp_sedan]

That's why I added the part about the dealer correctly implementing the TSB... I know of at least 3 cases where someone had this problem, took the TSB to the dealer and all the dealer ended up doing was running some insulation strip and not replacing the actual clips. I've had both done in my MS3. The insulation stripping will minimize the noise, but won't eliminate it. The clips will.

Cool. I have been doing research on this for a long time. Even looked at some videos over on M3F from people who have done things to fix the issue. I've been told I would have to pay to have this fixed unfortunately. That's why I was thinking about doing it myself.

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

Cool. I have been doing research on this for a long time. Even looked at some videos over on M3F from people who have done things to fix the issue. I've been told I would have to pay to have this fixed unfortunately. That's why I was thinking about doing it myself.

No worries. Why are they telling you need to pay for this? Are you out of warranty?

[cwp_sedan]

No worries. Why are they telling you need to pay for this? Are you out of warranty?

They keep telling me it's past the adjustment period or whatever (20k/1year). If they don't do it my during my next service then I will probably go somewhere else.

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

They keep telling me it's past the adjustment period or whatever (20k/1year). If they don't do it my during my next service then I will probably go somewhere else.


They keep telling me it's past the adjustment period or whatever (20k/1year). If they don't do it my during my next service then I will probably go somewhere else.

Wow... I suspected that may have been the case. Really surprises me and frankly, pisses me off when dealers say shit like this. It is just piss poor customer service. There is a known TSB for this problem, which means it is a known defect in the part/design and therefore, is applicable to be replaced and covered as long as you are in the 3 year/80,000km warranty.

The 12 month, 20,000km adjustment warranty is mainly for main mechanical adjustments that need to be made on a new car where things are not correct from factory, or come misaligned. It is vague enough in description to allow dealers to try and apply it to just about anything, but it is wrong for them to do so and only causes negative customer sentiment and satisfaction.

See excerpt from Mazda Canada on adjustement warranty coverage:

Adjustments

Service adjustment is covered for the first 12 months or 20,000 km, whichever comes first. Service adjustment means minor repairs not usually associated with the replacement of parts, such as wheel balance and alignment, tension adjustment of automatic transmission throttle cable and V-belt, fitting of engine hood, trunk lid, or rear hatch, etc.

Saying that they won't cover a piece of trim that creaks badly, or windhsield that starts to rattle is akin to saying that they won't cover say your driver seat if it suddenly locks in place and stops moving up and down when you go to adjust it, or that pieces of your trim start falling off because the parts used to hold them together, were not suitable for the application. If the car starts rattling and creaking, something is wrong and they need to cover it under the bumper to bumper warranty. However, as you can see, the adjustment warranty is written vague enough to allow them to try to get out of it. I would push the issue and if they refuse, take your business elsewhere.

Sorry for the rant, but it is just a bad way to treat customers who have spent significant money on your product and expect to be treated as such. Incidentally, which dealership is this?

Lastly, an excerpt from someone who had the proper perspective on adjustments like this...


if it is not very difficult for you to drop the guage, can you do that? If the noise still persists without the guage, then it should be warranty.
If you like, I can look at it for you - no charge

most noisy trim claims are part of comprehensive, not so much the adjustment warranty.

adjustments would be more like an alignment issue, or brake pads

[cwp_sedan]

Wow... I suspected that may have been the case. Really surprises me and frankly, pisses me off when dealers say shit like this. It is just piss poor customer service. There is a known TSB for this problem, which means it is a known defect in the part/design and therefore, is applicable to be replaced and covered as long as you are in the 3 year/80,000km warranty.

The 12 month, 20,000km adjustment warranty is mainly for main mechanical adjustments that need to be made on a new car where things are not correct from factory, or come misaligned. It is vague enough in description to allow dealers to try and apply it to just about anything, but it is wrong for them to do so and only causes negative customer sentiment and satisfaction.

See excerpt from Mazda Canada on adjustement warranty coverage:

Adjustments

Service adjustment is covered for the first 12 months or 20,000 km, whichever comes first. Service adjustment means minor repairs not usually associated with the replacement of parts, such as wheel balance and alignment, tension adjustment of automatic transmission throttle cable and V-belt, fitting of engine hood, trunk lid, or rear hatch, etc.

Saying that they won't cover a piece of trim that creaks badly, or windhsield that starts to rattle is akin to saying that they won't cover say your driver seat if it suddenly locks in place and stops moving up and down when you go to adjust it, or that pieces of your trim start falling off because the parts used to hold them together, were not suitable for the application. If the car starts rattling and creaking, something is wrong and they need to cover it under the bumper to bumper warranty. However, as you can see, the adjustment warranty is written vague enough to allow them to try to get out of it. I would push the issue and if they refuse, take your business elsewhere.

Sorry for the rant, but it is just a bad way to treat customers who have spent significant money on your product and expect to be treated as such. Incidentally, which dealership is this?

Lastly, an excerpt from someone who had the proper perspective on adjustments like this...

Thanks for the details. I will try to use them to my advantage. :)

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

Thanks for the details. I will try to use them to my advantage. :)

Good luck. And by the way, the TSB calls for a replacement of parts, so by their own definition of an adjustment warranty, you could also tell them to go suck your hat. :)

[TheMAN]

if all else fails, try installing a strut bar.... I know naysayers will say it's "not necessary", but one of the causes of the noise on the 1st gens was the metal cowl panel (part of the upper firewall) was moving when you hit bumps... the official mazda fix was loosen the bolts and retighten them.... well because that thing moves when you hit bumps, it's indicative that there is *minor* chassis flex that causes this... so in otherwords, a strut bar *might* fix it since it strengthens the chassis quite a bit (if it's a good quality piece)

depending on brand, the 1st gen bars ought to fit the 2nd gens

[mazda lover]

I have read posts on people that have had that annoying tapping sound, creaking noise from the windshield area. Sounds like its where the dash meets the windshield but then again I could be wrong. I only hear it when its a bit cold and I hit small bumps. I know 2005-2009 owners stated there was a TSB or at least a fix for this problem however what about the 2010?

Help!


Gee you would think Mazda would have corrected this problem at the factory on the 2010 knowing it is a common problem..my dash is starting to crack near the windshield at the center where that little button is. This is also another common defect. So keep your eye on your dash. Mine is a 2005 and out of warranty.

[seaneeboi]

Im going to take my 2010 in to Agincourt Mazda Tuesday, hopefully they know what im taking about when I take it in.

Thanks for the info!

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

Im going to take my 2010 in to Agincourt Mazda Tuesday, hopefully they know what im taking about when I take it in.

Thanks for the info!

Sean, print off a copy of the TSB and bring it with you. Don't demand them to perform it, but simply tell them that this TSB was used to address and fix the same problem on the old gen MZ3 and MS3's and you would appreciate it if they could so the same with yours if the parts are indeed the same for the new gen. Perhaps they have a new procedure, but at minimum, they should be willing to work with you on this. Note that they may need to order the insulator pads.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

[seaneeboi]

Thanks. I have it printed and ready to go.

I will let you know what happens.

Sean

[seaneeboi]

Okay, so I took this to the dealer to have them address the issue. Funny enough they neeed to change my wiper linkage so that pannel needed to come off. NOW.....ITS WORSE!!! it creaks all the time sounds terrible. I went back and they said they coul not hear the noise. I will take it back again when I get time.

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

Okay, so I took this to the dealer to have them address the issue. Funny enough they neeed to change my wiper linkage so that pannel needed to come off. NOW.....ITS WORSE!!! it creaks all the time sounds terrible. I went back and they said they coul not hear the noise. I will take it back again when I get time.

Which dealer? I suggest you take the car to Dave Wood or Oakville Mazda for this.