2013 Mazda CX-5 Front suspension “clunk” sound

[BKHicks]

Hello and thank you for considering my question for possible knowledge matches.

My 2013 CX5 has a periodic “single clunk” sound in the front driver side suspension that has been happening for a year but now is somewhat regular.

I have tried unsuccessfully to reproduce the “clunk” sound by turning the steering wheel, whenever hitting light bumps, accelerating, braking etc but I cannot reproduce it on demand although driving at lower speeds under 30-40 mph, it happens automagically.

Attached are some pictures I just took looking for anything obvious before attempting to repair it myself or being educated enough to direct a repair shop to the possible problem needing repaired.

Has anyone experienced something similar or do the pictures show you anything obvious? There are no leaks, the rubber parts are all still dry and flexible. I only saw one thing circled in red that looks a bit strange.

Thank you for any feedback you may have!

Kind regards, Brian

 

[Bcdad182]

Check lower control arm bushing. Mine were badly cracked and have had to replace both left and right over the past two years with about 150,000km

 

[Lazy2.5]

usually either LCA balljoint, or end links, maybe a tie rod or LCA bushings as suggested.

 

[Mazdiod2]

Is there any play in the steering? The rubber boot that you have circled in red looks damaged. What about the ones with the zerk? Do any o f them have play?

 

[GFrosty]

Just got the left and right Lower Control Arms and the tie rod ends replaced on my CX-5. Typical culprits, though everyone's specific problem can vary.

For attempting to duplicate the klunking, I'd drive slowly over a variety of different terrain, up/over driveway entry areas that have some steepness to them, and down/over. Try such maneuvers while at varying degrees of turning the wheel, as well. My own CX-5's klunks were most easily created when putting these types of strains on the suspension.

If you do head to a shop and get a thorough check made, have them yank on the various suspension parts to see how much play they have. Typically, looseness in the ball joints, or severe damage to the bushings, will show up as an unreasonable ease of movement when yanking on the different parts. (A suspension-knowledgable shop ought to know the 'tricks' to find a culprit.)

 

[Lazy2.5]

Ask your local mechanic to bring the car up into the air. Have him physically show you where the play is coming from.

 

[RedBaron]

Yeah, as others said, LCA's are often the culprit for this. But that tie rod end looks shot too.

 

[Chandra82]

Hello and thank you for considering my question for possible knowledge matches.

My 2013 CX5 has a periodic “single clunk” sound in the front driver side suspension that has been happening for a year but now is somewhat regular.

I have tried unsuccessfully to reproduce the “clunk” sound by turning the steering wheel, whenever hitting light bumps, accelerating, braking etc but I cannot reproduce it on demand although driving at lower speeds under 30-40 mph, it happens automagically.

Attached are some pictures I just took looking for anything obvious before attempting to repair it myself or being educated enough to direct a repair shop to the possible problem needing repaired.

Has anyone experienced something similar or do the pictures show you anything obvious? There are no leaks, the rubber parts are all still dry and flexible. I only saw one thing circled in red that looks a bit strange.

Thank you for any feedback you may have!

Kind regards, Brian

I have had the same issue with my 2013 mazda cx5 and no mechanic can seem to find the culprit. I had the struts/springs replaced, sway bar and tie rods and it still makes the noise. My best guess is bushings or engine mounts. I have also heard greasing suspension parts is mandatory in mazdas. The last mechanic I took it too is pretty good and said maybe the balljoint but I also had another mechanic tell me the ball joints looked new so not sure what to do now...

 

[pupuek]

had the same intermittent clunking sound coming from front right. happens when exiting a street into a place with slight elevation. now, it happens a lot even on small bumps as long as the wheels are slightly turned.

per mechanic, its the LCA ball joint. ill have both LCAs replaced together with inner and outer tie rods soon

ill do the front stab links and bushings after that

 

[AL Cx5]

The failed boot is where I would start. Whether it fixes the clunk or not, the outer tie rod is failing. If it fails, breaks if may cause a crash.

It's easy to replace a tie rod end by loosing the bolt and a couple of whacks with a hammer and it poops off. Replace with a quality part, Mazda. Then get it an alignment. This part is even easier to replace than doing a brake job.

IF the clunk persists, disconnect one sway bar end link and drive around and listen for the clunk. It will not hurt anything or be dangerous. I would use a zip tie to move the link away from anything. Worn end links will clunk too. Also check to see if the end link is tight to spec. They will clunk sometimes when they wear a bit. This is another inexpensive part that fails from time to time.

I've chased clunks on several different imports, including our CX 5. I've used a pry bar to simulate the clunk with no success. I found an outer tie rod on one and sway bar end link on the other...

Good Luck