Clunk Updates

[INiTiAL33]

So if the clunk is apparent after a few K, then aren't all sway bars "old" when you get the new bushings put in? Just a thought.

in " old " swaybars we mean sway bars with their paint and finnish stripped off so the diameter is smaller than its supposed to be. Hope that helps

 

[Newf]

what he said!

Basically, a bar that your dealer has tried numerous times to replace the bushings already, and or you've been driving aroundwith the clunk noise for some time....hence the paint missing.

 

[mp3moose]

Ditto,
BTW, happy b day newf!

 

[girth]

Well.........yes I know I just posted positive comments a few posts back........but after PDH had his clunking issues I decided to take the snow shovel out of my trunk, turn the radio off, and listen for clunks because I have about the same number of miles and same climate as he does.

Long story short --- I THINK THE CLUNK IS COMING BACK!:mad: It is a much quieter clunk-like noise than before and the odd thing is that it's only coming from the right rear. Instead of a bowling ball in my trunk it sounds like a bowling ball wrapped up in towels in my trunk. The thing is, it's hard to hear it right now -- mainly because of all the other noises during the winter (slush, horrendous squeeling from the front, louder exhaust, etc). I cannot hear it with the radio on at normal volume.

The only other thing that it MIGHT be is my sub enclosure making noise - I mean it definitely sounds like it's coming from the trunk (just like the clunk did)...but I seemed to notice some odd noises when going very slow over bumps (which I figured shouldn't cause the bushings to make noise).

So...I don't know for sure but I'm thinking the clunk is slowly rearing its ugly head.:'( :'( If I can pinpoint exactly what the noise is, I'll post again.

Note: ~3000 miles on the Es under the WORST conditions imaginable. Bar is fairly new (not brand new though) since it's a MSP bought in late April.

 

[DooMer_MP3]

Well that blows. I got the 156Es today. They didn't replace my bar though, despite my asking 3 times. My real plan is for the bushing relocation kit, anyhow, so I don't really care. Its obvious to me that the torsional forces being applied by the stock location of the bushings are going to cause failure no matter what.

Chris

 

[Boozenbar]

I took mine to the dealer and they just replaced the brushings on the bar. Clunk gone. *edit* just realized that it comes back. :wtf:

 

[1166mp3]

with out reading 21,000 post, has anyone contacted Racing Beat?
if not, i'll send them an e-mail.

 

[Laser03pro]

I think some1 might of but you can try again. Tell them they would sell alot of relocation kits.

 

[girth]

Some people have already contacted racing beat and every time they've just said they do not and will not sell any of those bracket things - I think they even deny the exsistance of those brackets. End of story.

It was -12*F today and I can now say with 90% certainty that I do indeed have the clunk coming back. It pretty much sounded just like the old clunk in this extreme cold - now if it only clunks when it's -12 out, then I'm OK with that.

I'm so damn depressed......F-ing bushings..........WTF is so hard about making F-ing bushings? 3,000 miles on this horrendous road that I travel is a big improvement from the last bushings but this is still not good enough. I pray I blow my engine so I can dump this POS and get a REAL car instead of a cheap, clunking, coolant-leaking **** on wheels.

If only Mazda would offer a buy-back program for this turd like they did with the RX8......(rant) (argh)

Don't get me wrong guys - the clunk isn't totally and officially back but I'm nearly positive it WILL be back just as bad as always within another month or so.:'(

 

[DooMer_MP3]

Just wait for Micaspeed's kit. It will solve the problems. I'm pretty sure he's taking a logical approach to it, much like Racing Beat did before Mazda ****** the thing up.

Racing Beat has been contacted many times, and cannot do anything due to deals with Mazda etc. But its obvious they thought the bushings should be further towards the wheels as well.

Chris

 

[Laser03pro]

Of course thats the whole reason behind the clunk its not the bushings.

 

[scott42]

see my sig for links to Micaspeed!'s progress for the new guys...welcome (2thumbs)

 

[girth]

It's just hard for me to believe that MicaSpeed's fix is going to work because surely Mazda would know whether that would work or not - and if it does work it'd certainly be cheaper for them to just supply the brackets to everyone than continously replace my bushings every 3,000 miles. If the relocation works and Mazda doesn't offer it, could there be another reason behind it -- such as maybe the chassis wouldn't be able to withstand the beating from the harsher ride?(dunno) :'(

 

[Newf]

I've been in contact with Racing Beat on several occasions, and the head engineer was apparantly involved with my testing of other bushings although I never talked to them directly.

One possible failure does not mean total failure. Lets see what happens to other people over time. I have more then 3000kms on far worse road conditions ( I would bet me life on it that my roads are worse, and mine aren't freeway...all town and city driving which is far worse), and so far so good, and my bar is not new.

Winter is the worse time for the clunk. My MP3 would last 2-3 days max on other bushings driving over my winter roads. If I can get since Nov to now, on these, I could go all summer with these.

anyways...as usual, keep driving, and keep updating.

 

[girth]

I will be sure to update once these bushings 'officially' fail completely. Currently they are just "on their way to failure." I'm going to try to take a picture or 2 of the road I have to take to work Newf -- you would not believe the thing--incredible heaving in the road from the winter freeze. I mean I don't know how the city can get away with not repairing that road.

And I agree - I can already tell these bushings will be fine for 1 entire summer quite easily -- so there is that positive to look forward to at least.

 

[Laser03pro]

Mazda prob doesnt wanna make the relocation kit cause im sure recalling all the cars for it would cost alot more then some bushings. Another thing is even if the other models dont clunk the kit would prove a flaw in the design n all proteges might have to be recalled.

 

[girth]

Mazda prob doesnt wanna make the relocation kit cause im sure recalling all the cars for it would cost alot more then some bushings. Another thing is even if the other models dont clunk the kit would prove a flaw in the design n all proteges might have to be recalled.

Yeah but Mazda could get away with just issuing a TSB for it since it's not a major safety issue -- that way only complaining customers under warrenty would get fixed. I don't know.....I just won't have faith in Mica's fix until there are a good number of people on here that get it and have no problems for a year or so.

 

[Newf]

I agree girth.

Curious. How many times did you have your busings replaced on your speed since April? And how many kms on your car?

 

[Laser03pro]

I just dont understand what could go wrong with the fix. You know what the problem is and im sure he can make some strong enough brackets to fix it. I have faith

 

[DooMer_MP3]

Wasn't it stated that Mazda didn't want to go that route because the rear becomes much stiffer? You're removing the additional axis of motion almost completely by moving the bushing right to the pivot, so the rear would stiffen up even more.

I'll take that over noise any day. I'm pretty much the only one who's ever in my car, and I enjoy feeling the road.

Chris