ALL clunking noise solutions.

[INiTiAL33]

Ok ppl.... like most of you here.... my 156D bushings just gave up on me and im experiencing the annoying clunking sound again....

so this thread is dedicated to ANY ways that you guys know or have done to eliminate or just help the clunk problem...

1. getting a new 156D bushing everytime it clunks
2. powdercoat the sway bar
3....
4....
5...

 

[Newf]

3. Sell car, problem solved

 

[Newf]

seriously though

3. teflon tape sway bar, then put new 156D on...Best results for me so far
4. Rubber hose on sway bar, then bushings around it - never tried it yet.
5. Lub with silicon grease - don't work for s***
6. Plastic bottle cap around sway bar, then install bushings - made clunk noise still, and made a new creaking noise that happened just by sitting in the damn thing.

I'm sure there's more I've tried.....

 

[INiTiAL33]

so for the teflon tape trick.... how exactly is this done?

just wrap the sway bar with teflon tape on the area where the bushing goes over?

 

[saided18]

7. get urethane sway bar bushings!

 

[mazdadan]

Greaseable Energy Suspension Urethane Bushings, Stronger End Links

 

[INiTiAL33]

Greaseable Energy Suspension Urethane Bushings, Stronger End Links

has anyone actually purchased the energy bushings and tried them on?

 

[NYCZMP3]

actually i got my end links and sway bar bushings all replaced and all i got is the squeaks so far and it has been like 4 mths. but urathane bushings are the way to go

 

[INiTiAL33]

actually i got my end links and sway bar bushings all replaced and all i got is the squeaks so far and it has been like 4 mths. but urathane bushings are the way to go

with OEM Mazda parts under warranty or the energy ones?

 

[mazdadan]

has anyone actually purchased the energy bushings and tried them on?

I've got them on my car with the AWR 19mm sway bar, and if I remember, there are one or two other members on the board that have them. They are not a perfect fit and the brackets need modifications to line up with the stock mounting locations properly.

 

[Kooldino]

7. get urethane sway bar bushings!

Good idea.

HEY, KARTBOY, ARE YOU LISTENING?

 

[saided18]

NYCZMP3

i forgot, where are from in jersey?


and once i get my bushings replaced by my dealer i will look at the bushings to see which kind and size they are and we can go from there to get uretahane bushings.

companies are leaving a gold mine here. there are at least 30 people on this board ready to buy the bushings as soon as they come out.

 

[Stou]

I did the rubber hose thing a few months ago and so far it work fine.

The only problem is that I can't stand to get rubber hose as "custom part" on my car (notcool)

 

[mark@kartboy]

Good idea.

HEY, KARTBOY, ARE YOU LISTENING?

Since I haven't been on the board in a while, what exactly happens to the stock bushing? Does it deteriorate and cause play in the bar at the mount? Does it bind? Does it allow the bar to slide from side to side?

On the Subarus, if there is even the slightest loose bolt on the dropling attachment to the lower lateral link, a loud banging sound occurs. I assume you have checked the equivalent attachment at the strut body.

We can make urethane bushings without much trouble, but since these are usually cheaper for us to buy retail in Energy Suspension form than to make, I'd have to know that they clearly are not available now. For very high rate bars, I would look to making hard mounts, such as nylon, though this could yield even higher noise transfer. There are other solutions, but I am interested in what people are willing to buy, and what they are willing to spend.

Thanks for any replies.


Mark
Technical Director
All Wheel Engineering, LLC
www.kartboy.com

 

[Allen]

Has to be less than $200 for front and rear. If Mazda can't do it within my warranty period then I'd be willing to pay money to get it fixed. That assumes totally eliminating the noises from both rear and front without eliminating any performance quality from the current setup. If that's not possible then I'm just going to live with it as is....

 

[saided18]

in my case the rubber bushings are shot. they are worn out and allow the sway bar to move. My car makes a more squeeking noise. like a bed squeeking when....ummm...you know what is going on. so yeah i wouldn't mind spending 200 on front and rear bushings. hell i would happily give my 200 bucks and give you a big kiss if you could make the noise stop. ok i think i went a little to far there.

 

[mark@kartboy]

I think we can do better than $200, but the fronts, from what I remember are quite difficult to get to. I haven't been under the assembled car for a while.

The rears should be easy. Are there many problems with the fronts?


Thanks

Mark

 

[mngai]

The front has more a squeaky noise for me, like the bed squeaking. The back for me is more a clunky noise. Not sure if it's because I always have stuff (golf clubs, inline skates, etc.) in the trunk.

I was once told by my Mazda mechanic that our links & bushings are the same as those in other pro's. I don't quite get it because the squeaking seems to be specific to the mp3. Anyone know this for sure?

I will give the rubber hose thing a try when I go in for my service next time ...

 

[mark@kartboy]

We could make urethane bushings, and this would increase the stiffness, reduce the friction, and increase durability.


Typically, however, urethane bushings are more likely to squeak than rubber. There are special lubricants that work well with urethane, I think Energy Suspension sells some small packets.

I will take a look into the problem, focusing on the rear first. Note that the MP3 and standard Protege have different diameter anti-roll bars.



Mark

 

[o.g.sk8er]

We could make urethane bushings, and this would increase the stiffness, reduce the friction, and increase durability.


Typically, however, urethane bushings are more likely to squeak than rubber. There are special lubricants that work well with urethane, I think Energy Suspension sells some small packets.

I will take a look into the problem, focusing on the rear first. Note that the MP3 and standard Protege have different diameter anti-roll bars.



Mark

If you make these, I will buy them for sure! Please make them.