• We have updated to the newest version of the forum. Please let us know if you see any issues. And, yes, we know the shoutbox is gone. We'll see about getting it back if they make a newer version.

Clunk in the right front - 04 Mazda3

E

escort1991

New Member
So, picked up the car a few weeks ago. Everything was tight, no abnormal sounds, clunks, etc. About 4 days after, started hearing a clunk for the right front on bumps. Started off with only large bumps, but not is all bumps.

From what I know according to previous owner:

Struts/shocks front&rear replaced at 89,400 miles with used(15,000 miles) OEM Mazda Parts

Current mileage is 127,4XX.

So, roughly 53,000 miles on them. Pushing down on the front fender, there are no obvious clicks, clunks. Handling doesn't seem to be affected, but then again, it started happening shortly after I bought the car. I went over some speed bumps last night. On the last speed bump, it sounded like the something fell out and then it sounded like it bottomed out. No noticeable sag. Measuring from ground to middle of fender on both fronts are within an 1/8 on not so even ground. It doesn't click on turns. There is no abnormal movement when trying to move the front right wheel while on the ground.

I have no clue what it is at this point. All thoughts, questions, flaming welcome.

Thanks
 
Cmezz331

Cmezz331

Member
Have you tried le grease? Otherwise endlinks can clunk,mine are loud, but Then again I know nothing about the suspension in3's
 
mndsm

mndsm

I'M OFFENDED!
Honestly, it sounds sorta like endlinks to me. I know the Mazderp ones are notorious for going bad. As mentioned somewhere else with a similar issue, it could also be shock bearings. Pull the wheel off and give the endlink a yank and see what happens. If it moves a bunch, there's your culprit. I have an aftermarket swaybar in mine (well, two, but we're talking about the front) and it makes the noise as you describe. Bar has likely shredded the factory units. Good thing I have a set of AWR's ready for installation.
 
E

escort1991

New Member
If the sway bar links are the culprit, they will move? On past vehiculars, they have not. This is new to me.

Would I be better off buying stock Mazda end links or ordering aftermarket or ?
 
mndsm

mndsm

I'M OFFENDED!
I have aftermarket adjustables, but then again not much of my suspension is stock anymore (or won't be once the coilovers go in). OEM/factorys are fine if you're not really intent on dumping a bunch of cash into it. They're a lil bit cheaper too.

As far as if they're the culprit, yes- they'll move. The bushing on the bottom of the link where it bolts to the swaybar likes to get all chewed up. Subsequently, the bolt shaft from the link through the bar will start backing out of the nut used to hold it all together, causing the clunk you describe. It's fairly common, especially over 100k miles.
 
E

escort1991

New Member
Alright, late night DW. Checked sway bar links and right front is tight. Checked left front, just to check, and everything felt the same. Pushed down on front fenders with wheels on the ground and they seemed to have the same rebound.

I did notice the right front lug nuts were fairly easy to get off. If they aren't tight, rattles and a lot of things could happen.

I haven't taken it for a spin yet. Sleep time.
 
mndsm

mndsm

I'M OFFENDED!
One thing that is possible- it could be a bad wheel bearing. Car's got 120k on it, that can happen. If the bearing is dead the wheel will wobble, and CAN back out lugnuts, causing them to be loose. What i'd do if I was you is get the wheel tightened down good, get it up on a jack, and pull on the wheel itself. If you feel any wobble, your bearing is possibly shot. Have you noticed any squealing or metal on metal type sounds? Or just the clunking?
 
E

escort1991

New Member
Yeah, loose lugs is baaaaad! Had some aftermarket wheels on my Contour, had them rotated by TiresSlut and within 5 miles of highway all 4 wheels were wobblin. Not fun at all.

Do not hear any metal on metal nor grinding. Just the clunking.

Drove it around today and it seemed better. Will check it out on my way to job #2.
 
E

escort1991

New Member
Truth. I will keep an eye on them and if they back out again, check everything again. The gut is telling me it just wasn't lugs. lol
 
D

DrWebster

Guest
Also keep an eye on your passenger-side motor mount; they're known to fail. Engine won't fall out too bad, but you'll get all sorts of clunking sounds.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top