Noise from right/front suspension...
 

For the past few months, my '99 ES has developed a noise in the right/front suspension. The noise I can't really describe. It sounds like something is rubbing, but also sound like something is flexing (like hard plastic). Here's when it happens:

• Only on compression.
• Weather is cool (under 70 degrees F).
• When noise is present, right/front suspension is very stiff.
• When noise is present, right/front suspension isn't smooth on compression. Feels like it "steps" down, rather than sliding down.

I can't figure out what it is. I've looked at it when it was up on the lube rack and I didn't see anything obvious. A Mazda master technician visually looked at it and didn't see anything wrong. However, I didn't have him really diagnose it... I'm out of warranty. It's very strange that it only happens when it is cool out.

Anyone have any ideas? The suspension is totally stock with 65,000 miles and I never go over bumps or ditches fast. Thanks!

-Jerry

My shocks make some noise, but they are aftermarket shocks (Bilsteins). It sounds like maybe you have some worn out bushings or a worn out shock. I have heard the upper shock bushing tends to wear out over time.

Later,

Take silicone spray and spray it into one of the four holes on the top of strut mount... sounds like that washer has gone dry and is rubbing.

You can also get the other side by jacking up the car and spraying from underneath.

Thanks Ambient!

I'll give it a try and report back.

-Jerry

I'd say it was bushings too. The POS 93 Civic I just got rid of had that problem for over a year, but wasn't anything that a regular squirt of WD40 couldn't quiet down for a while.

News
 

I just found out today that some of the noises I was experiencing were from the motor mounts. My car has 43K miles on it- with 1.5 years of autocross thrown in. One mount was "completely disintegrated" and the others were "worn out". Might be someting you would want to check just in case.

Later

Rather than just spraying blind down the strut from the top, lift the bottom of the boot up, and check for wear or damage to the ram. You can probably even reach a finger in there and dab on some heavy grease, which will work better than spray. Find all the zerk fittings front and rear, and pump some in there too.

They're talking about lubricating the mounting surface on the top of the strut assembly, not the strut cartridge itself. Rather than using a big squishy rubber mount like most cars, the Pro uses a metal plate and a paper-thin clear Teflon-coated sheet on the top of the front struts. This is good because it eliminates flex and improves handling, but that little Teflon sheet loses its ability to prevent squeaks after a while. This is why you have to lube it.

BTW there are no Zerk fittings in the suspension of a stock Pro. Some aftermarket ball joints for late-model imports include Zerk fittings, but the car does not come that way from the factory.