My car squeaks like an old pick up truck!

[tybrenis]

Hey guys,

I just picked up my MSP the other day and I love it. However, it does have a few issues. One of those issues is that the back end squeaks like crazy! It clunks and groans and squeaks and squeals. I weigh 140 pounds and it squeaks like a b**** even when I get in and out. On the road, it's driving me crazy. Should I try to lube the bushings? How do I go about doing that? I have a can of white lithium I can use.

 

[speedin]

you could do that for now but you probably have the factory or factory replacement bushings (assuming the originals have already been replaced). i would at least swap out those bushings for urethane ones and there is a "clunk" fix kit you can get that i believe is by AXR. very popular on this forum for this car and i am sure someone will be able to chime in and give you the definites.

 

[bradboyd80]

Definitely replace the bushings. I just replaced mine because of the squeakiness too, and it made a HUGE difference. Nice and quiet now.

 

[dmention7]

+2 on the rear sway bar bushings. Mine were squeaking, and I lubed them up good with lithium grease, but that only held back the noise for about 2 weeks, so I replaced them and they've been silent since. New bushings are only about $25 bucks or so, and are a piece of cake to replace.

 

[tybrenis]

Excellent! I just had my head under there and it looks like they'll be easy enough to replace. The bolts are on there really tight is all, I couldn't get them off for now but I'm sure some WD-40 will help... does anyone have a link to replacement bushings? If I go to a NAPA store, what size are they? Thanks guys!

 

[bradboyd80]

http://*************.com/mazdaspeed9.htm

 

[BOOSTR]

I used a high temp silicone grease made for the diesel industry and took of my bushings and lubed both them and the bar. No more squeaking, creaking or anything.

A breaker bar will help loosen those bracket bolts. They were on there very tight on mine as well.

 

[MANDO]

I need to replace mine as well. That damn squeaking is driving me up the wall! Embarrassing too because it makes the noise every time I pull up to a stop and go over speed bumps(pissed).

 

[Rush]

AXR clunk fix kit.

Night and day difference. Seriously. Fixes the noise problems AND seats the rear sway bar properly so that your handling gets even better.

 

[MANDO]

Damn! Not to sound cheap but that AXR Clunk fix kit is pretty expensive. From what everyone says it sounds like money well spent.

 

[bradboyd80]

I used a high temp silicone grease made for the diesel industry and took of my bushings and lubed both them and the bar. No more squeaking, creaking or anything.

A breaker bar will help loosen those bracket bolts. They were on there very tight on mine as well.

That wouldn't be a bad idea either as long as the bushings are in ok shape. When I took mine off, they were trashed. I'd say take them off and check them out first. If they look salvagable, get the grease. If not, the bushings will only run you $50 shipped.

 

[tybrenis]

Hey guys,

I absolutely couldn't get the bolts off, but I will in the future when I replace the bushings. I lubed the hell out of them as best I could with white lithium grease and for now, it's working like a charm - squeak be gone! When I get the cash those babies are getting replaced. It still clunks a bit though - what could that be?

 

[haveahotcarl]

The clunking that you are getting is likely the end links on the sway bar. You can check them by going under the car grabbing hold and trying to move them. You have to do it under load, don't jack the car up. If you get any movement, up, down, left, or right, it is time to replace them.

You can get adjustable end links from the many vendors that carry the MSP parts but you don't really need them unless you are lowering your car or want to pre-load the sway bar. Just be sure to replace BOTH, if one is gone the other is probably right behind. I got the OEM pieces from Mazda at about $50 each and they work great.