Have a knocking noise coming from the front end when going over bumps and also going up/down the curb on our driveway (most noticeably). The dealer service dept said it was the sway bar bushings which they'd fix for $195! Too much for something I just don't feel will correct it for some reason, gut feeling I guess. Seems too simple a fix for such a pronounced noise. All the bushings on the front end of my 92 Mustang were stock/crap and it never made a sound, bushing are more of a 'feel' thing, and if there is a noise it isn't a knocking sound. Could it be a strut issue? End links? Or is it really just the bushings on a 5? I already have to throw down this month for new tires, and don't want to make any unnecessary repair, want to fix it right the first time. Thanks for any help.
Dealer said...
- Thread starter AZM5
- Start date
VenomDesign
Member
- :
- Mazda 5 GT Pearl White '07
You're not under warranty anymore ?
Reach underneath, grab the sway bar and check for play. If the bushings are shot and the bar is moving, it could be making a clunking sound. Or bring it to an independent mechanic or tire shop for a second opinion and quote. The dealer techs are probably less experienced and skilled and dealers charge book hours, not real. Once the car is out of warranty, find a good independent that you trust.
That said, $195 seems high. How many hours and at what rate are they are using?
That said, $195 seems high. How many hours and at what rate are they are using?
- :
- 03.5 YLW MSP
lmfao at the first comment... yeah tell that to all the MSP owners that its just a feel thing and that its in everyone heads. I have the clunk on the front and rear of my MSP due to shot bushing. It could also be endlinks as well. I know you have a 5 but the concept of a sway bar is still the same regaurdless.
mazdaspeedster3
Member
- :
- Mazdaspeed3. 2008
Have ramps at home? Mind climbing up under there? The sway is easy to spot and easy to tighten down or check if it is loose. You can buy an aftermarket sway for around that price and get bushings with it. Shoot, you can buy my stock 5 sway I have. I have a Mazdaspeed3 sway on my 5. Only 20k on the stick bushings. They do make a clunking sound on light bumps and would when you pull up into your driveway for sure. Check how tight they are to the endlinks as well though, that can do the same thing.
mazdaspeedster3
Member
- :
- Mazdaspeed3. 2008
Dealers typically are around $90 an hour. That really shouldnt even be a 1.2 job. The bushings are probably $30 so $190 is about where it should be yes.
I assumed it did include the parts. It isn't horrible, but since I also desperately need new tires I need to try to figure it out myself to save the money. I've tried looking for bushings, where do you guys go to get parts such as this usually? That's of course after getting under there to see if that is really the problem. From what everyone has said it's a good possibility...I'm hoping so.
bullaculla
Member
I did have the "clunking" in mine. Dealer fixed it right away since it was happening right after I bought it. Tech said the bushing was either folded over or slipping out. It was a while ago...
I dont know what they look like, but its probably the bushing in the clamps that hold the sway bar in place. I have replaced sway bars in my '03 CLs, and it was no big deal. just climb under and have a look.
This is a pic of the front sway on an RX-7. The gold part is the clamp. Usually the aftermarket bars come with polyurethane bushings, but they cost more, so OEM is probably just rubber.
pic taken from http://www.fd3s.net/anti-sway_bars.html
I dont know what they look like, but its probably the bushing in the clamps that hold the sway bar in place. I have replaced sway bars in my '03 CLs, and it was no big deal. just climb under and have a look.
This is a pic of the front sway on an RX-7. The gold part is the clamp. Usually the aftermarket bars come with polyurethane bushings, but they cost more, so OEM is probably just rubber.
pic taken from http://www.fd3s.net/anti-sway_bars.html
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