Quesogrande

CV joints? Suspension bushings?

I know my way around cars, but before I go taking crap apart (this is the main transportation for my son to and from daycare), I'd like to get other's opinions.

We took it to a shop that we've used with other cars, and they tightened something up (my wife can't remember what they said they did, but it was no charge), and it was ok for a couple days, but then it slowly came back.

Also, first time poster here, and if I'm in the wrong forum, let me know.

Thanks!

Foxxxy

I may be off- but I have heard similar sounds after doing the suspension on our protege. sounds to me like the front sway bar end links- I have never heard of them coming loose unless suspension was modified, or for some reason the bolts were broken loose for some reason. Something to check out.

CV joints tend to make more of just a click. like a poker card in a bike tire. I may be off though- there are some really smart Protege people on this site though- I am sure if this isnt the problem- they will know the answer.

PS welcome to Mazda3 / Protege club

centsless

I had a smililar problem on my p5 that drove me nuts, come to find out, it was a endlink bolt that was a bit loose. Check that first and let us know.

KrayzieFox

I was just gonna say the same thing, I had a problem with endlinks making noises in the front too, so that just might be it. Does it have stock suspension or do you know if it ever had any aftermarket suspension work done in the past? Plus how many miles are on it?

Quesogrande

As far as I know, there aren't any aftermarket suspension parts. The shop we take our vehicles to "tightened something, and packed it with grease", but my wife didn't ask what they tightened, and after a few days, it was just as bad as ever. I think th car has about 48k miles.

Thanks!

Da P-Funk!

Sounds like endlinks...

meGrimlock

i hear something in a similar location. it sounds like there is a pebble tumbling around underneath my car if i turn left or right too fast. if i turn right, the little thing sounds like its tumbling from middle to right side. and if i turn left, it sounds like it tumbles back into the middle. it doesnt happen all the time, and i only noticed on friday when i didnt slow down enough turning into my apt complex. could this be related to what you all are describing? no suspension upgrades on my car. thanks
-meGrimlock

martinmzfan1

Possibly a front strut bearing/mount plate... but a little too premature for that kind of wear. That may explain a loud clunk/rattle at the front ends when driving over bumps/ruts and turning since it introduces some torque. Investigate.

meGrimlock

asked the dealer to look into it. they said it was my aftermarket shifter bushings hitting the heatshield...uh...i know that the shifter bangs up against the heatshield...but its not the "bushings" & that is NOT a noise that occurs during cornering. idiots!

RoadkillerSB

The way to figure it out is pretty simple.
Gain speed, make a quick sharp left or right turn and hit the breaks while you do it. If you hear rattle - it's the C.V. joint.
If you drive on a bumpy road and hear continuos rattle around the wheel area - it's the end link (or the ball joint the make almost the same sound, to figure out which one you have to get under the car and take a look)
If you drive on a bumpy road and you hear a loud metal clank once in a while, its eaither the suspension bushing, or its the shock absorber.

meGrimlock

i'm somewhat sure its not the cv joint, i experienced that with my last protege and its a different rattle, more of a clicking noise. its not continuous, like i said its only really happening if i turn too fast, it sounds like a pebble rattling from one side of the car to the other. i'll bring it in before the warranty is up for 1 more look, if they dont find anything i'll just worry about it when something falls out from under me.

RoadkillerSB

You better get it fixed, when it starts clicking continiously, its about 500-1000 km before it falls of. And if it does it can take away half of the suspension with it...not to mension screw up the tranny!

alex_aha

Have you found the problem yet? If not, check your brake calipers, they might be loose and cause metallic rattle that sounds awful like a pebble or a small metal object rattling... especially during slight braking and turning at the same time. Let us know if thats the problem.

rdomingo77

I have a similar problem. But it doesn't matter if I turn left or right, if I'm braking, or if i'm going to fast. When I turn the wheel i hear a clicking/creaking noise, even when in park. I don't think its the CV joints as from what others tell me, busted cv joints only make noise while turning and the car is moving.

One shade tree mechanic said it might be the front stabilizer bushings, but the stabilizer bar is only under load if the car is in motion and turning, right? So to me that doesn't explain the noise while the car is not moving. tried lubing the control arm front bushings, but it didnt help.

Any other possible culprits???