Noises when going over small bumps

[Iceman_F1]

Just recently I've been hearing noises coming from what I believe is the front of my car when going over minor bumps in the road.

This is on a 1st gen speed3. No suspension mods in the front. Just a RMM and a Tri-Point RSB on medium setting.

Not 100% sure what it could be but wondering if anyone has ideas. Here are a couple sound clips.

Sound issue 1 (http://sdamv.com/CarSounds/Sound%20issue%201.wav)

Sound issue 2 (http://sdamv.com/CarSounds/Sound%20issue%202.wav)

Sounds issue 2 is a bit better showing the issue but both show the sound.

Any ideas?

I also think one of the other motor mounts is starting to go but this sounds doesn't seem like it could be related to a motor mount.

[McGuyver_3]

I am pretty sure its more a strut/shock or a stab link gone.
Do you notice any extreme excessive vibes while idling?

[alhope34]

I had this exact issue come up twice from my front end. It was the sway bar bushings both times. I am 99.99% sure it's the bushings, I listened to both files a few times. Sounds EXACTLY like mine did. The first time I took it in to Mazda they thought it was my steering rack, so they replaced that. Then they couldnt tell where the noise was coming from cause my front bumper was dented (BS excuse). So then after I got the bumper repaired they thought it was my motor mount, so then they replaced it. Then they thought it was my sway bar end links and replaced those. Noise was still there so I took it again, then they replaced the front sway bar bushings. The bushings fixed everything.

I started getting the noises about a year later but since I was over 80k kms by that point bushings are not covered under MAP. I bought front and rear bushings for about $42 from the dealer and Jimmy installed both sets for $60. Noise was gone again!

[Iceman_F1]

I am pretty sure its more a strut/shock or a stab link gone.
Do you notice any extreme excessive vibes while idling?

I did...but only after getting the RMM put in and even then, not until a week after that. I thought it was just related to the RMM and/or gas I put in while down in the states (only saw 93 instead of 91). I've since upped the idle with AP and no more vibrations at idle.

[alhope34]

Replace your front sway bar bushings...

[Iceman_F1]

Replace your front sway bar bushings...

Will give that a shot.

[McGuyver_3]

I did...but only after getting the RMM put in and even then, not until a week after that. I thought it was just related to the RMM and/or gas I put in while down in the states (only saw 93 instead of 91). I've since upped the idle with AP and no more vibrations at idle.

Thats normal with the RMM installed. I have the same ones. I was just wondering if you had any further vibes. That would lead more towards a engine mount.


I had this exact issue come up twice from my front end. It was the sway bar bushings both times. I am 99.99% sure it's the bushings, I listened to both files a few times. Sounds EXACTLY like mine did. The first time I took it in to Mazda they thought it was my steering rack, so they replaced that. Then they couldnt tell where the noise was coming from cause my front bumper was dented (BS excuse). So then after I got the bumper repaired they thought it was my motor mount, so then they replaced it. Then they thought it was my sway bar end links and replaced those. Noise was still there so I took it again, then they replaced the front sway bar bushings. The bushings fixed everything.

I started getting the noises about a year later but since I was over 80k kms by that point bushings are not covered under MAP. I bought front and rear bushings for about $42 from the dealer and Jimmy installed both sets for $60. Noise was gone again!

This sounds more like a clunk though. If it were just the bushings there would be more of a squealing noise, because the bar is cosntantly moving up and down while beeing strapped in the bushing. But you do bring up a good point because i have seen that before at work as well. Just they come in for squeaks not for clunks.

[alhope34]

This sounds more like a clunk though. If it were just the bushings there would be more of a squealing noise, because the bar is cosntantly moving up and down while beeing strapped in the bushing. But you do bring up a good point because i have seen that before at work as well. Just they come in for squeaks not for clunks.


Mine was just as clunky as that. It never squealed, only clunked. And not only did it happen on one occasion, but I was getting clunks on the front two seperate times and rear sway bar once and the bushings fixed all 3 clunking problems. The first time I changed the front bushings was about 50-55k kms I believe and the second time I just changed all of them cause I was getting clunks from everywhere and that was around 90-100k kms or so from what I remember.

[Iceman_F1]

Thats normal with the RMM installed. I have the same ones. I was just wondering if you had any further vibes. That would lead more towards a engine mount.

This sounds more like a clunk though. If it were just the bushings there would be more of a squealing noise, because the bar is cosntantly moving up and down while beeing strapped in the bushing. But you do bring up a good point because i have seen that before at work as well. Just they come in for squeaks not for clunks.

No real other vibes. Just when I shut the car down it seems like it vibes a bit. As for possible engine mount issues, it's hard to describe unless you're there but it seems when I'm not as smooth on the 1 - 2 shift, it seems there's a bit of noise that's different than this noise so I just would assume it's something relating to an engine mount for that.

To bad there's not many people around my area to get a ride to hear these things.

[breakfasteatre]

i have the exact same noise going on, really really annoying because it is such a sickening sound. I was told that it was sway bar bushings

[McGuyver_3]

No real other vibes. Just when I shut the car down it seems like it vibes a bit. As for possible engine mount issues, it's hard to describe unless you're there but it seems when I'm not as smooth on the 1 - 2 shift, it seems there's a bit of noise that's different than this noise so I just would assume it's something relating to an engine mount for that.

To bad there's not many people around my area to get a ride to hear these things.

from first to second, that could be the release bearing you are hearing. I have the same noise from time to time. Depends on how fast you let off the clutch and if the timing is right. when you are shifting. Thats not a biggie.
Al, glad it worked for you. Hope for Derek its something quick and easy

[horto]

mine sounds identical... drives me f%cking mad.

+1 to sway bar bushings

[igzy]

Iceman - did you end up replacing any parts? What was the cause of the noise? I have the same noise on mine so am looking for tips on it :)

[igzy]

Oh, and for those that changed the sway bar bushings, where did you buy the parts? OEM or aftermarket?

[bluemazda3]

Joe.. at MOT..

[alhope34]

I got mine from Scarboro Mazda.

[Booostin]

People always ask for help but they never report back to tell everyone what the issue was so people in the future will know what to look for. Thats the whole point of these forums lol

[alhope34]

I always reported back, lols.

[Iceman_F1]

People always ask for help but they never report back to tell everyone what the issue was so people in the future will know what to look for. Thats the whole point of these forums lol

I haven't reported back as I haven't dealt with the problem yet :chuckle

Been a bit busy/strapped for cash recently with another issue of mine. When I get a chance to try the bushings, I'll report back.

[alhope34]

Bushings were cheap, man! Around $45 for all 4 and jimmy replaced them all for $60.

[Iceman_F1]

Bushings were cheap, man! Around $45 for all 4 and jimmy replaced them all for $60.

Yes, but when you pay for ILR track school, not too long before that you get a new computer because your old one dies...you do brake and transmission fluid change in prep for track school and then the weekend before track school you see transmission oil leaking from the pivot point of the shifter arm...bushings are a minor thing to worry about at that point and not so vital.

[alhope34]

Personally, I'd rather get existing issues fixed like bushings and computer breaking over track school and track school prep. :P

[Iceman_F1]

Personally, I'd rather get existing issues fixed like bushings and computer breaking over track school and track school prep. :P

I had already paid for track school when computer died...and had already arranged track prep when the shifter pivot was found to be leaking...so it was all in a short period of time. I can live with the noise for a bit longer while I arrange a time to get it fixed.

[alhope34]

Lol, I was just bugging you dude. Don't worry so much about what I say. :P

[Iceman_F1]

lol...I don't worry. Just saying how frustrating it was that things went wrong all at once...and when everything was laid out, the bushings were very minor and something I can live with for awhile longer.

[alhope34]

Yea, I hear you.

[igzy]

I picked up a pair of bushings from Mountain Mazda this evening for $10/pc. Will install them on Saturday - will report back how that goes :)

The only part that sux is that they were made in China. Wonder how long they will last??? :P

[Booostin]

We will start a donation fund for iceman to get his bushings done :P

[igzy]

An update! So I got some sway bar bushings and I was going to replace them this morning. Took the wheel off, got a large pry bar and went to check them, they were tight. So, that wasn't it. I look down and see that the end link boots had grease on them, I lifted the edge of it and it was bone dry underneath and there was some rust too! And that's what was knocking!! They were about a month old! So I went back to CarQuest where I got them and exchanged them for some Raybestos parts. Installed them and guess what: no more noise :)

The boot design was poor of those parts (they were CarQuest brand). The little rubber ring that is supposed to keep the grease in the boot broke and was nowhere to be found and that's how the grease leaked out. The Raybestos parts have a different design altogether of the boot and will last longer (*fingers crossed*) :)

[BigChuck80]

I dread the winter coming, I'll be purchasing a new car via auto wholesalers (http://www.canpages.ca/business/ON/mississauga/automobiles-wholesalers-manufacturers/3453-049800.html) and not sure I'll be purchasing another vehicle so low to the ground. The potholes from last winter caused me to purchase 2 new rims and my ground effects were essentially ruined...

[m3m]

I had Jimmy replace my struts/shocks due to wear but I still kept hearing noise (more so from the driver side). so I took it to the dealer and found out the noise was coming from the engine splash shield. After replacing the bolt and nuts. the noise went away

[Iceman_F1]

Alright. Finally got around to replacing the front bushings. Confirmed that was the issue with mine. So glad to not hear the noise anymore.

[alhope34]

Told you... :P

[Iceman_F1]

Told you... :P

I didn't doubt it...just took me awhile to actually get it done :chuckle

[alhope34]

Haha, well I'm glad it's fixed. I know how annoying that noise can be. Sounds like the whole car is shaking apart over minor cracks in the pavement.