driveshaft clicking noise

[mz3~Power]

hey guys so ive been experiencing this clicking noise from my driveshafts when starting from a stopped possition and when i go to move in reverse. i know that there is the tsb for this but what im wondering is has anyone been able to find the special washers at a cheaper price? Mazda wants like $180 each ... i think thats a little ridiculous for a metal washer. part number is BPYK-33-044. Also has anyone else been experiencing this? i havent seen to many people complain about this on tm3 but i have on the other fourms.

matt

[mannyspeed]

i just went threw that bull shit im putting in a new 2.3 in now i had metal in the bottom of my motor and i hated it i dont know but they said that i had no oil and i did an oil change a month before that went down were the **** did it all go i dont knowww

[RTEnthusiast]

i just went threw that bull shit im putting in a new 2.3 in now i had metal in the bottom of my motor and i hated it i dont know but they said that i had no oil and i did an oil change a month before that went down were the **** did it all go i dont knowww

Please don't tell me you bought a black 2006 GT from a Mazda dealership and paid around ~$10,500... I just had the dealership buy back that piece of shit from me.

[DreMS3]

Yeah I have the same problem I'm wondering if its doing damage by me driving with it like that. I plan to put in a speed3 motor soon so I'm wondering if it will last.

[TheMAN]

those washers are NOT designed for any of the newer 3s... they are meant to be used with the axle BOLTS only, which only exist in all 04s and very early 05s
if you have a newer 3, the problem maybe something else... one of the fixes has been to clean up the axle splines really well then apply some loctite red to the splines

[silverstarmazda]

i have an oh4 and i have this, heard it might be the transmission mount going and its causing the metal on metal noise. i just kinda tuned it out.... sometimes itll happen and sometimes it wont...

[silverstarmazda]

try this http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=126585.0

last post, i think he might of fixed his at home. but they did say to not reuse the lock bolts....
also

http://parts.arlingtonmazda.com/documents/04-006-10-2441b.pdf

sounds like mazda is trying to cover stuff up and pass it on as normal

but THIS might be wats happening

http://parts.arlingtonmazda.com/documents/03-002-10-2336d.pdf

[TheMAN]

first TSB you linked is for 07s and newer.... it does not apply to the 04-06 because the ABS system is different (nor does it have DSC)
2nd TSB you linked does not apply to the 04 to early 05s... the application listing is not written correctly, so it's a little confusing when you see down at step 1 of the repair procedure that it says if your car was made before 1/1/05 to use a different TSB... which is this one: http://www.protegefaq.net/tsb/03-003-05.html

like I already said, loctite works somewhat, it is a cheap fix that may or may not work, which is why mazda eventually released that TSB that permanently addresses the issue... at $90 a piece for the washers, it's ridiculously expensive... I guess it's priced that way due to a limited production with the parts supplier... the pricing for that part has not been marked over MSRP... it is what it is!

here is the internal memo published in March 2005 regarding this issue:

2004-2005 Mazda3
Front Axle Clicking Noise
Some 2004-2005 Mazda3 vehicles may exhibit a front clicking
noise when changing gear direction from reverse to drive
and/or drive to reverse. Inspection of the front suspension and
transmission linkages show everything to be tight with no loose
bolts or nuts.
Verify click noise is coming from the front axle spline area.
Clean axle splines thoroughly with brake cleaner, to remove
rust and contamination. Apply high strength thread lock (Red
Loctite 27100 - purchase locally) to splines. Reassemble with
new axle bolt (9YA0-21-083C - qty 2, one for each side) and let
cure overnight. Perform this procedure to both sides to prevent
future noise occurrence.
for the sake of saving $180... so go try the loctite trick first, it may work! mind you that loctite red is evil.... if you ever need to replace or repair the axle, it's going to be a bitch to take off! otherwise, for a piece of mind, get those washers if you're planning on keeping that car for a while ;)

[silverstarmazda]

any idea how much the axel bolts are? if i remember correctly.... i think you have to take the strut off the rest of the assembly as if your replacing the spring. so this might not be within every bodies reach to fix.

[TheMAN]

yes, you need to beat the **** out of the spindle assembly with a sledge hammer to pop it off the strut
the bolts shouldn't cost more than $15 each... it is pretty important to replace them because they are torque to yield (stretch) bolts

[silverstarmazda]

time to call jimmy lol