Clunk/Rubbing Noise from Rear - have fix kit already

[stftk14]

Hello,

Thanks in advance for your help. I've got a nagging problem. It's more than a clunk. It's sounds kind of like a REALLY loud rubbing noise. It seems like it's almost always making the noise on any road that isn't perfectly flat like a highway. Any tiny bump or distortion in the road makes the loud noise.

I installed the AXR clunk fix kit over the winter because I was having this problem, but back then it seemed like more of just a clunk. Noises were completely gone for a couple months, and I was lazy and never regreased the bushings. I figured the bushings were shot. The noise has gotten really bad lately, so last month I installed a brand new set of 19mm energy suspension bushings and used formula 5 prelube grease.

Replacing the bushings made absolutely no difference. I still have the clunk / loud rubbing noise. I was at a Mazda dealer today and asked them to take a look at it. They said the endlinks were fine. They suspected it was something involving the rear shocks or struts.

Anyone have ANY idea as to what is going on back there?

 

[Outlawstar98]

Check your struts and ball joints.

 

[Stormtrooper77]

Your bushings are probably in need of some lube, and/or your endlinks need to be replaced.

 

[MREDDLE]

Just my 0.02$ but you really should use the correct size sway-bar bushings. It will take a very long time for them to "wear down" even longer if they are urethan. (SP?)

 

[slo03.5msp]

they need to be greased had this problem earlier in the year. Greased them and they were gtg.

 

[justanothermp5]

yes grease them and use white lithiium grease, when i had my awr 21.5 it was clunking and makin all sorts of noise and i didnt know what it was, went up a drive way and POW the freakin bracket snapped in half cuz the bar couldnt rotate on the dry urethane lol
oh well, got the stocker on now

 

[stftk14]

I had the endlinks checked by a couple mechanics and they said they were good. Also, it was still making the noise immediately after greasing them with valvoline synpower synthetic lithium.

I really don't think it's the bushings, unless it's the fact that I used 19mm bushings.

I think I've described the sound wrong. It's really not a clunk at all. It sounds sort of like something being stretched or maybe even rubbing. Also, the sound has gotten worse. It makes the noise all the time now, even from just getting in the car (and I only weigh 170). I can hear it from braking, pushing on the rear, pretty much anything.

Anyways - do you guys still think it's the bushings (because they're 19mm), even though it's made the noise immediately after being greased? Is this something that needs to goto a dealership or can a shop like Midas figure out whats up?

 

[Stormtrooper77]

The endlinks will make a clunking/popping noise. They are really hard to toubleshoot as you can't really move them by hand unless they are really shot. You just have to replace them.

As for the stretching/squeaking/rubbing noise, I would still put money on the bushings. Put the old bushings back in, but re-grease them first, and see if you still get the noise.

 

[stftk14]

I took the car in to the dealer today and just got off the phone with them. Apparently they think it's the strut tops causing all the noise. Does anyone have any idea how much those will likely cost?

 

[SleepyMSP]

if its the strut its gonna cost big $$$, tell them to replace the end links first...trust me I had this problem and I thought the endlinks were fine. if its not then at least you don't have to worry about the eventual failure of the end links and you can move up to the more expensive items after.

 

[stftk14]

So are the strut tops just the top mounts or does it mean replacing the entire strut? I assumed the mounts wouldn't be very expensive. I've been hearing that the end links would make more of a clunk noise while this is a kinda crunch/stretch noise. Can strut tops cause this kind of noise?

 

[SleepyMSP]

if the noise if more of a rubber stretching sound then I would check the strut top plate

 

[stftk14]

I took the car into a shop today and got my strut bearing/top mount replaced. It fixed the creaking noise

I pulled the car out, and was noticing that I still had a clunk though. I went and looked under the car and found that the endlink was connected to the swaybar but the other end was not connected to the (strut assembly/mount??) at all. I popped the endlink back into place on the assembly/mount. I drove the car 5 feet and heard a loud pop noise, went under the car, and found that the endlink was once again disconnected from its top connection.

Does this mean the endlink needs to be replaced? Am I just missing a nut? What should I do?

 

[haveahotcarl]

Replace that endlink! Actually, do both. The ball should be tightly secured in the endlink on it's own.

 

[stftk14]

Replace that endlink! Actually, do both. The ball should be tightly secured in the endlink on it's own.

When you say do both, do you mean replace both endlinks in the rear? The mazda parts guy was thinking it might be popping out of place because it's missing a nut? Because I'm only having this problem with the endlink popping out of place on the right rear.

 

[Viralphrame]

If you're going to replace the rear endlinks, don't get more stock s***. Spend a little extra money and get these guys:

http://www.agency-power.com/catalog...ar-links-mazda-protege-01-msp-03-p-48029.html

I just put them on this week when I installed my Sportlines and Illuminas. They are beefy as s***, and use hex bolts and heim joints instead of bad ball joints. They won't fall apart or break endlink tabs like AWRs, either.

bottom line: they are solid. I wish people would show more interest in them so AP would make a front set too.

 

[haveahotcarl]

If one is gone the other is likely bad or going to go soon. Kill two birds with one stone. If the bolt is coming out then it is just a nut but if the ball is coming out of the endlink, then the endlink is bad.

 

[Stormtrooper77]

If you're going to replace the rear endlinks, don't get more stock s***. Spend a little extra money and get these guys:

http://www.agency-power.com/catalog...ar-links-mazda-protege-01-msp-03-p-48029.html

I just put them on this week when I installed my Sportlines and Illuminas. They are beefy as s***, and use hex bolts and heim joints instead of bad ball joints. They won't fall apart or break endlink tabs like AWRs, either.

bottom line: they are solid. I wish people would show more interest in them so AP would make a front set too.

Do these make any noise?

 

[kilder]

Hi.does anybody know if anyone sells rear trailing arm bushings for the mazda5.Thanks

 

[rainierez]

OK I've got the same problem. I'm going to go ahead and replace the shocks and struts since they are probably due (100k miles) and then put in new bushings(+lube) and new endlinks. I keep reading about people putting in the strut top mount from a P5 in the rear. Why is this being done? I checked my mounts they don't look bad but while I'm in there if it makes sense to replace them I am.

Thanks for any advice. This is my first time posting here. Just bought the car 2 hours ago