OPINIONS: Klacking noise from front end when turning

[Emgee]

Hi All,

Just looking for some opinions on the problem and what my service tech told me.

I have a 2007 CX-7 AWD with 19,000KM. Here in Winnipeg we're having a wonderful cold snap again and it's hitting -31 (-41 with windchill). A few days ago I heard a clack-clack-clack noise coming from the front-end when making left and right turns under acceleration (spirited acceleration, but not WOT). It doesn't happen when making gentle "turns" (e.g. merging on the highway or going through a yield) or if I coast through a tight turn. But make a left or right turn at a stop sign and give it some gas and the noise happens.

So reading up on it, it seems the likely culprit is the CV joint/boots. So I took the car in to get checked out.

The tech said the boots are fine, no tears/cracks, no grease leakage found, etc. He said that, it is likely, the grease in the boots is crystallizing due to the extreme cold we've been having so it's not lubing the joints as well as it should. Said they have similar problems on Mazda 3s. I asked if the car is safe to drive and this won't be causing further damage - I was told it was ok to drive.

Anyways, they're supposed to find out from Mazda Canada what to do about it (repack with new grease) or replace, so ultimately something will be done.

What I'm curious to know is if anyone has heard of this happening to other vehicles in very cold weather and whether it is plausible. It makes sense to me, just seems that Mazda isn't using a grease that has a wider temperature tolerance.

What do you guys think?

Emgee

 

[MZ CX-7 AB]

Emgee, my CX-7 also does this when cold. When it warms up a bit, after 10 minutes of driving, the noise stops. I have heard of this before, the cv boot itself can freeze up, once it warms up, noise is gone. Most times I can not duplicate it if the vehicle has been driven, only after being parked for a while.

 

[erhayes]

Another reason to drive gently while the car warms up.

 

[Mazda3]

I believe I have experienced the same noise in extreme cold. I don't think it's anything to worry about. I've got 30k on mine now and everything is fine.

 

[Emgee]

Thanks for the feedback guys. It's good, I suppose, to know that it happens to other CX7s under very cold conditions and it's not specific to my vehicle.

 

[cx7mom]

I'm having the same problem with mine, but it is prominent at slow speeds. I will be bringing it up with the dealership in the near future. I'll repost if I find anything out.

 

[Emgee]

@cx7mom

Please do. It still occurs in our CX-7 but only when cold. This past Saturday it was only -1C and there was no noise. But it has since dropped back down to -25C and crunching on turns.

I only notice it on turns but we're not moving fast (when you slow down to make a turn on a residential street and then give it gas to pull through).

The shop said it's the grease freezing up/crystallizing. They said no harm other than the nuisance/annoyance of the noise.

Emgee

 

[Emgee]

Just a follow-up.

Our CX-7 continues to make clunking noises when turning (most noticeable at low speed, 10-30 km/h). During the cold weather it was a more pronounced grinding/repeated clacking noise.

I've taken it in to the dealer today to have it looked at again.

It's not nearly as bad sounding as when it is well below freezing; but I don't want there to be a problem and 6 months from now show up at the dealership needing major work and giving me any difficulty because I didn't bring it in sooner or claim it was the result of something else and, therefore, not under warranty (I've had some past issues with dealerships).

If they come back with a fix/repair I'll post another follow-up; might come in handy for someone else down the road.

 

[BigJim]

Just a follow-up.

Our CX-7 continues to make clunking noises when turning (most noticeable at low speed, 10-30 km/h). During the cold weather it was a more pronounced grinding/repeated clacking noise.

I've taken it in to the dealer today to have it looked at again.

It's not nearly as bad sounding as when it is well below freezing; but I don't want there to be a problem and 6 months from now show up at the dealership needing major work and giving me any difficulty because I didn't bring it in sooner or claim it was the result of something else and, therefore, not under warranty (I've had some past issues with dealerships).

If they come back with a fix/repair I'll post another follow-up; might come in handy for someone else down the road.

Any one find a final answer to this problem? Just bought a used '08 with the same issue...

 

[Zhos]

Had this fixed last week

Any one find a final answer to this problem? Just bought a used '08 with the same issue...

Had the same problem since back when I bought it brand new, but the dealer could never duplicate it, until this yea. They have a TSB for it. The problem is the grease in your outer CV joints, which gets hard in cold weather. The fix is taking the boot off, cleaning up old grease, and repacking it with a new re-formulated grease. Total parts and labor with new boots - about $450. I have extended powertrain warranty from Mazda, which covered all but the $100 deductible.

Hope this helpd.