2010 MZ3 Hatch - Sounds coming from the Rear (with video)

[derekl]

Hi Everyone,

For the past 2 or so years I have been annoyed with a clicking sound in the rear (inside) that happens when I go over bumps. This would occur more frequent than another sound that makes a tapping noise (sounds like it's in the cabin as well). I brought it to the attention of my dealership before, but they told me that they didn't hear anything. With the end of my 3 year warranty coming up, I decided that I had to get to the bottom of this. So i requested to go with the tech for a test drive to point the sound out. After getting another tech to help me because the first tech had no idea what could be causing it, the second tech went out for a drive again and concluded that it could be the latch mechanism. I got that replaced and the clicking sound was gone! However, they told me that I would have to change back to my OEM exhaust if I wanted them to diagnose anything else...

Since the clicking sound was more irritating than the tapping sound, it never really got my attention. But now that the most annoying sound is gone, the tapping sound is getting on my nerves =/. Seeing that today was a nice day I took the time to take everything out of the hatch (spare tire, tools, jack) and went for a test drive. Sound was still there. I went back to my garage and started to pull certain trim pieces off that I thought might be contributing to the sound. Still there! Took off the third brake light piece, tightened the bolts that hold the spoiler, and the bolts for the rear lights, but still the sound was there. Here's a video clip of the sound:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XvQnrJI_3w

I also noticed the weatherstripping around the hatch is damaged. I have no idea when or how this happened. I rarely use my hatch.... Could this be causing the hatch to not close properly, making a sound?

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x21/xAvengerX28/Mazda%203/c4e7a013-e656-4c0d-a9d8-46858f005000_zpse3c5adc0.jpg?t=1364690812

The sound that you hear doesn't always show up when I go over bumps or rough roads. It makes it even more irritating when you expect it to come up but it doesn't :bang. Any ideas of what it might be or suggestions for additional things that I could check would be appreciated!

[derekl]

I had a chance to sit in the back of my car while someone drove it, but still couldn't pin point where the sound was. I guess I'll have to bring it back to the dealership. Anyone have any experience with this sound though?

[13johnny]

I have the same issue as well. Driving a 2010 Mazda Hatch. Something coming from the back. sounds like coins or tools but only happens over bumbs not all the time but occurs more then a few times during a drive. I been wondering what the sound is also.

[r4mi5awi]

Since you both have aftermarket exhausts. Did you guys check your exhaust hangers? The exhaust could be loose and compounded by having stiffer aftermarket springs. Maybe the stock hangers aren't up to snuff and need stiffer replacements?

[nguy3nha]

It's most likely the door is misaligned. I had the same exact problem with my 2011 hatch at around 35,000 kms. I also did the exact same thing that you did, by removing the plastic panels on the hatch door! It drove me crazy, I went to 3 dealerships and they all pretended they were deaf and told me to come back for a 1 year inspection and they will have a look at it again. Finally the last dealership I went to fixed it for me. The problem was a misaligned door.

You can check the rubber sealing around the hatch door to make sure they are in good shape. You should also check your hatch door spoiler to make sure that its tightly bolted on. Mine almost came loose on the highway so I had to tighten it again. You should also check underneath your car to make sure the exhaust components are not loose. Wiggle it around to see if it hits against anything that may cause a knocking sound

[derekl]

Alright so here's an update.
I went to the dealership today to get them to look at my car again. I went for a drive with the tech from last time to point out the sound and left my car with them. I just went to pick the car up and what they did was put a "noise reduction kit on all contact points". Which looks like some type of nylon tape or something over all the clips for the rear panels.
Did it work? Nope, sounds still there.

I checked the hangers myself, and my OEM exhaust is back on the car, and also tightened my spoiler already (this was before bringing it to the dealership today). No luck. The dealership also aligned my hatch door when they replaced the latch mechanism last time. The technician thinks it could be a weld somewhere in the roof and suggested me to bring my car to the body shop.

Any more suggestions? Any dealerships where they have more experience, and success in diagnosing sounds in the rear?

[r4mi5awi]

Man, it's like this problem is never ending. I feel for you.

Ever check both the exterior and interior sealing around the rear window? Maybe the rear window could be hitting against a contact point with worn rubber.

I know this is silly but can be easily overlooked, also check your rear wiper arm and mechanism, drive with it wiping continuously and see if the sound is still there. If not, tool around with it after your drive, maybe that could be the cause of your problems, it's worth a shot!

[derekl]

Just a little update. I've been putting it off for weeks cause I haven't had the time to deal with it. I replaced my weatherstrip for my hatch because it was damaged before (picture in OP). While I was at it, I played with the position of the the lock hinge (the rectangular hoop). I've read somewhere that someone adjusted the hinge downwards and to the left, but it hasn't worked for me. At this moment, the sound still comes up when I go over some bumps. I tried to recreate the sound by pushing and jumping on the car lol. I didn't hear the metallic sound, but noticed that there was some serious squeaking coming from the rear passenger suspension. Could this be related to the problem?

Need to take the trim apart again to look at the rear window, the sound seems to be louder with the change of weather as well. Anyone experiencing this at this point in time? I tried to get the dealership to look at it again, but they just suggested again to go to a body shop. It sounds like a waste of time to go through the same process with a body shop as I did with the dealership already. Any other suggestions besides the ones mentioned will be appreciated!

[natayort]

Hi Everyone,

For the past 2 or so years I have been annoyed with a clicking sound in the rear (inside) that happens when I go over bumps. This would occur more frequent than another sound that makes a tapping noise (sounds like it's in the cabin as well). I brought it to the attention of my dealership before, but they told me that they didn't hear anything. With the end of my 3 year warranty coming up, I decided that I had to get to the bottom of this. So i requested to go with the tech for a test drive to point the sound out. After getting another tech to help me because the first tech had no idea what could be causing it, the second tech went out for a drive again and concluded that it could be the latch mechanism. I got that replaced and the clicking sound was gone! However, they told me that I would have to change back to my OEM exhaust if I wanted them to diagnose anything else...

Since the clicking sound was more irritating than the tapping sound, it never really got my attention. But now that the most annoying sound is gone, the tapping sound is getting on my nerves =/. Seeing that today was a nice day I took the time to take everything out of the hatch (spare tire, tools, jack) and went for a test drive. Sound was still there. I went back to my garage and started to pull certain trim pieces off that I thought might be contributing to the sound. Still there! Took off the third brake light piece, tightened the bolts that hold the spoiler, and the bolts for the rear lights, but still the sound was there. Here's a video clip of the sound:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XvQnrJI_3w

I also noticed the weatherstripping around the hatch is damaged. I have no idea when or how this happened. I rarely use my hatch.... Could this be causing the hatch to not close properly, making a sound?

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x21/xAvengerX28/Mazda%203/c4e7a013-e656-4c0d-a9d8-46858f005000_zpse3c5adc0.jpg?t=1364690812

The sound that you hear doesn't always show up when I go over bumps or rough roads. It makes it even more irritating when you expect it to come up but it doesn't :bang. Any ideas of what it might be or suggestions for additional things that I could check would be appreciated!





I have had the same problem. After putting it off for some time because i assumed it was something rattling around in my trunk, i finally went and got it checked out. The noise is super obnoxious but its not harming your car my mechanic said. After i took it in i found out it was the rear bottom bushing. I am in the process of fixing the left back one after fixing the right back one about 3 months ago. Hope that helps!

[derekl]

I have had the same problem. After putting it off for some time because i assumed it was something rattling around in my trunk, i finally went and got it checked out. The noise is super obnoxious but its not harming your car my mechanic said. After i took it in i found out it was the rear bottom bushing. I am in the process of fixing the left back one after fixing the right back one about 3 months ago. Hope that helps!

Ah, I haven't really looked there yet, thanks for bringing it up. What and where exactly is this bushing? The tech from the dealership told me that it's some weld point in the roof and he insisted on it (which I didn't think was right). When i asked if it was anything to do with the suspension he said no because it doesn't happen every time I go over a bump. Does yours come up only sometimes, or every time you go over a bump?