2014 CX-5 Lower control arm grease

My 2014 CX-5 has been making clicking or knocking sounds on front passenger side - brand new shocks and struts but sound still there .. took a picture of my LCA bushings and noticed some weird grease but these aren't liquid filled right?

Also what do you guys think of the condition? Could this be the cause of the sound or should I look elsewhere? Tire rods were solid and same with the ball joint and CV axle
 

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Is the sound more noticeable when you turn the steering? If so, CV joint for sure (may still be CV joint even if not).

The LCA bushings are solid rubber, not liquid-filled. Maybe a tech greased that point sometime.
 
Yes more when steering for sure .. all the way to the right .. sounds like click click click .. can I check the CV joint by eye?
 
Yes more when steering for sure .. all the way to the right .. sounds like click click click .. can I check the CV joint by eye?
You can look to see if the inner or outer boots are torn. But if they aren't, it doesn't mean they are OK. Given the symptom, it's very likely to be bad.
 
So, replaced the CV joint today and it's still making the noise unfortunately.. it did get a bit better I think but still makes it when doing sharp turns or when going over speed bumps.. any other ideas ?
 
It's a 2014. Have the front stabilizer bar end links ever been replaced? Have they been inspected? Remember, they are attached to the front strut and the strut does rotate when steering occurs. My right front link caused a clunk over even very slight bumps. With the wheel off the ground so as to unload the links, there was no play in the vertical direction but pushing and pulling the ball and socket in/out resulted in a clunk from being loose. It might be worthwhile as an easy and relatively inexpensive fix or to rule out as a possibility in chasing down the culprit of this noise.
 
I replaced the whole CV axle but I haven't inspected the front stabilizer bar end links.. I guess I'll check that one next .. crazy mystery at this point .. haven't done tire rods or LCA yet either
 
I replaced the whole CV axle but I haven't inspected the front stabilizer bar end links.. I guess I'll check that one next .. crazy mystery at this point .. haven't done tire rods or LCA yet either
As the bushing looks good on the LCA picture you posted, I wouldn't be in any hurry to replace it. It looks like it's been replaced already with an aftermarket one.
Was the CV axle you replaced leaking grease and slinging grease around? I didn't see any mention if it was. I'm still curious about the grease on the LCA bushing.
 
I didn't see any grease flying around.. I am also curious about that! Where else could it come from? Unless someone tried to grease it when installing it?
 
I didn't see any grease flying around.. I am also curious about that! Where else could it come from? Unless someone tried to grease it when installing it?
Do the sway bar end links look bad here?
 

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Those look fine to me, but you can't necessarily tell from pictures. Grab hold of the ends and see if there's any free play. In fact, if I were you, I'd also jack up that corner and grab the wheel itself. Jerk it back and forth vertically and horizontally and see if it moves/clicks. If it does, go from there and see what's allowing it to do so.
 
Do the sway bar end links look bad here?
As mentioned above, you can't go strictly by looks. Grab each end and push and pull it in and out as well as vertically along the axis of the rod . This is done jacked up with the wheel hanging free to relieve tension on the link. Going by all of the pictures you've posted, along with the lower control arms looking like they've been replaced with aftermarket, these end links look to have been replaced also. I'm guessing you acquired this CX-5 used so you're not aware of which parts have already been replaced.
 
Yes I bought it used.. is it bad that these parts have been replaced with aftermarket? I'm just worried that every time I take it to a mechanic they replace parts to no end without figuring out where the noise is coming from
 
No, it's not necessarily bad because they are aftermarket parts. Aftermarket doesn't automatically mean poor quality and OEM Mazda parts are expensive. So don't fret about it because they most likely needed it so it's a good thing. In fact some of the aftermarket control arms have thicker, beefier bushings. The lower control arms and end links were replaced before/by 60,000 miles on my 2014. Mazda has had issues with the bushings in the lower control arms and has gone through several iterations of them. Now the challenge is to find the source of your car's noise.
 
Yeah it's a mystery still for me!

I tried to attach a go pro and take a couple videos.. I at least caught the noise several times but it's hard with the video to see where.. not sure if maybe you guys can tell?


 
Update - took it to my mechanic who also confirmed all the suspension parts were replaced with aftermarket parts and they all appear new or new-ish.. they were not able to see anything loose or any issues with the car up off the ground and tire off.. however they can replicate the noise when driving .. turning and over bumps .. the mystery remains and they say since everything looks good not to worry.. well umm the noise is not ideal.. the other thing they said it maybe the bushings have a hairline crack and by pushing and pulling by hand off the ground isn't enough force to cause the clunk compared to driving it.. not sure what to do next .. could something be touching?
 
My fear is that the previous owners replaced all those suspension parts trying to fix the same noise issue to no avail hence selling the car to the dealer
 
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