Loud clunk when only turning left!

[newprot5fan]

Hey all,

The list of crap wrong with this car is growing!

I was told I had a loose end link on the front left side (Drivers) which causes a clunking noise when going over bumps, etc.....

However, today something else is happening. Not only does it clunk going over bumps, etc, it is making a different clunking noise and now every time I turn the wheel to the left (I don't have to turn the wheel far, but it doesn't make the noise if I turn it really slow), I get a loud clunk. I can feel it in the front of the car. It doesn't happen when turning right at all, an d it doesn't matter if I have my brakes on or not.

Does that sound familiar to anyone? Could this be a safety issue?I know very little about cars. It couldn't come at a worse time since I am having to drive 1 1/2 each day for work starting Monday!

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[DuRWooD]

A bad endlink/swaybar link will cause both clunks, get that fixed and be happy. Not a safety issue (unless you get a girl in there who thinks your car is falling apart, and she leaves you)

 

[newprot5fan]

ok, my mechanic said I need a new sway bar AND steering rack?????? Has anyone had issues with steering racks on these cars?? That sounds very expensive.

ANy advice? I can't afford that.

 

[NCZ13]

ive never heard of a steering rack issue... and i cant see why you would need a new sway bar. It would be extremely hard to break/bend one of those.

Your endlinks are just bad. I had the same issue with my car. Turns out i lost an endlink nut on my pass. side and my sway bar was clunking around when i turned left.

 

[shane02pro5]

Run away FAST!

Only issues you may be having are bushings need grease...need new bushings or new endlinks. The clunking is a typical problem for the rear but the front most times just need some grease.

 

[newprot5fan]

OK, so I talked to my mechanic face to face.

He said both front endlinks are loose (which I knew) and that is what is causing the rattling and clunking going over little bumps (the common issue with our cars). BUt the new noise that developed when turning left and is he said is definitely coming from the steering column. The noise is there when I turn left (passing someone fro example)and also if you are parked and quickly turn the wheel and let it go back to it's normal position. When I turn it right and it goes back left, it make the same noise. Can that still be endlinks?

I guess I am going to get new endlinks and see what happens. The steering still feels fine and he isn't pressuring me to get a new steering rack, he said he would just put up with it, but he is adamant that is where it is coming from.

So next question is do I get endlinks from Napa or something or what? Should I get them from Mazda?

Thanks all!

 

[IslandP5]

ok, my mechanic said I need a new sway bar AND steering rack?????? Has anyone had issues with steering racks on these cars?? That sounds very expensive.

ANy advice? I can't afford that.

I did back in May. Though aside from leaking power steering fluid I didn't notice any troubles. If I wasn't anal retentive about looking under my car I would never have noticed.

 

[newprot5fan]

I did back in May. Though aside from leaking power steering fluid I didn't notice any troubles. If I wasn't anal retentive about looking under my car I would never have noticed.

WEll, I had the new end links put in and all the noises are gone!! WOOHOO!!!!
Thanks all for your suggestions!

 

[IslandP5]

WEll, I had the new end links put in and all the noises are gone!! WOOHOO!!!!
Thanks all for your suggestions!

Good to hear. These are fun cars to drive and shouldn't be spoiled by noises.