2007 Mazda3 2.0L issue - no idea whats causing it and need help

[greffer31]

So I had Tein S-tech lowering springs installed earlier this summer. After the install I noticed quite a bit of steering wheel shake at higher speeds (especially when I hit the brakes) and a really crunchy sound once a tire revolution when braking at low speeds.

I assumed something happen during the install that cause a warped rotor so I bought new rotors and pads. I had the rotors and pads installed last week and since the tires needed to come off for the installation, I thought it would be a good time to put the winter tires on too. Thankfully the new parts resulted in 95%of the steering wheel shake disappearing and the crunchy sound was now gone.

However, after the install when I got the car into fourth and fifth gear (>80km/h) i still got this bouncy feeling. To me it felt like my winter tires just needed to be balanced so I went and did that yesterday and although it's slightly better, I still have that bouncy feeling when I get it up to speed:bang I've also noticed that the car is pulling to the left (not sure if this is related to the bouncing issue)

I'm at a complete lose for what could be wrong and would appreciate any input if someone has an idea or has experienced similar issues. I'd like to be able to go into the shop with a couple of possible problems that might save the mechanic a couple of hours troubleshooting and will save me a couple hundred bucks. Thanks in advance.

[pwdunmore]

My assumption is that you are on stock shocks/struts and bump stops, which might be blown or worn out.

If it's not that you might want to check out other parts that connects to the front wheels, my feeling is that there are bushings/endlinks is worn out or dried up but I would think that would cause more of a clunking than vibration.

[Jackal]

Have you brought it in for an alignment if you got new springs and you say it's pulling to the left.

[pwdunmore]

Have you brought it in for an alignment if you got new springs and you say it's pulling to the left.

+1

[greffer31]

Have you brought it in for an alignment if you got new springs and you say it's pulling to the left.

ya i went for an alignment two weeks after I got them installed

[MazdaMike02]

Struts/springs are not going to cause a vibration like this. What speeds do the vibration occur? If it vibrates to a certain point and then goes away its tires. Wheel balance might not be the cause. It may be excessive runout of your tires causing the vibration. Excessive runout meaning the tires "hop" or "wobble" too much on a balancing machine. Easiest way to confirm this is have "Roadforce Balancing" done. There is a night and day difference between Roadforce and regular balancing. Roadforce actually takes into account the force that is exerted on the tire during driving from vehicle weight etc. The machine loads this tire with the proper weight and can tell you if the runout is out of specifications.

Another possibility is a CV shaft. May have been fine at stock height, and now with lowering springs the shafts have to operate at a different angle which may not be optimal. It might be that one the shafts have just gone bad causing a vibration. This type of vibration (unless really bad) only occurs around highway speeds (100-120).

[greffer31]

Struts/springs are not going to cause a vibration like this. What speeds do the vibration occur? If it vibrates to a certain point and then goes away its tires. Wheel balance might not be the cause. It may be excessive runout of your tires causing the vibration. Excessive runout meaning the tires "hop" or "wobble" too much on a balancing machine. Easiest way to confirm this is have "Roadforce Balancing" done. There is a night and day difference between Roadforce and regular balancing. Roadforce actually takes into account the force that is exerted on the tire during driving from vehicle weight etc. The machine loads this tire with the proper weight and can tell you if the runout is out of specifications.

Another possibility is a CV shaft. May have been fine at stock height, and now with lowering springs the shafts have to operate at a different angle which may not be optimal. It might be that one the shafts have just gone bad causing a vibration. This type of vibration (unless really bad) only occurs around highway speeds (100-120).

thanks for your post man, very informative. I find the vibration is most prominent at 80-100km/h. Wish i would've known about the road force balance before i went and got a regular one done lol. as for the CV shaft, the vibration is fairly subtle and usually dissipates at speeds >100 km/h which leads me to believe it isn't that. Definitely good information for the future tho, thanks!

[MazdaMike02]

No problem lol. I know Mazda 3s like the back of my hand, know just about any problem with them. Wheel balance and tire issues are extremely common on them.