Front end rattle?

[hworth18]

I have a 04 Mazda 3s with about 97,000 miles. I noticed here recently that I have a loud rattle in the front end while driving thru the neighborhood, it is mostly noticeable at slow speeds, while hitting small bumps and joints in the road. The noise sounds like maybe a busted front strut, but the front corner isn't sagging at all and the strut reacts normally when tested. The noise almost sounds like there is something loose, any ideas?

 

[Meatball546]

Not sure, but do you guys have floating calipers? If yes, it may be a loose or missing anti rattle spring clip.

 

[chrissor]

stab link.

 

[franky.c]

i had the same problem, a couple months ago..

it was only the damn license plate on the front bumper.

 

[hworth18]

stab link.

Little more info please...

i had the same problem, a couple months ago..

it was only the damn license plate on the front bumper.
06-27-2009 05:30 PM

No front license plate here..

 

[chrissor]

a stab link attaches from the strut to the stabalizer bar. its just a ball in cup joint, when they go bad they can cause a hell of a noise. i'm not saying thats what it is 100% but it would be the first place i would look. also these cars won't sag that much when the struts are gone, but you would notice a blown strut at any driving condition and the car would be unstable depending on how bad it is.

 

[hworth18]

a stab link attaches from the strut to the stabalizer bar. its just a ball in cup joint, when they go bad they can cause a hell of a noise. i'm not saying thats what it is 100% but it would be the first place i would look. also these cars won't sag that much when the struts are gone, but you would notice a blown strut at any driving condition and the car would be unstable depending on how bad it is.

Thanks!! Just needed a little clarification.

 

[dperikic]

Hi there ,
I have the same problem , I replaced shock bushings, shocks(B8 bilstein) , Eibach pro kit, and no luck , the sound is still there . Mechanic inspected stab links , arm bushings . All fine , but when i drive over little bumps or bumpy road , i get weird klik, klik ... sound.

 

[KCjohnny]

I have a 04 Mazda 3s with about 97,000 miles. I noticed here recently that I have a loud rattle in the front end while driving thru the neighborhood, it is mostly noticeable at slow speeds, while hitting small bumps and joints in the road. The noise sounds like maybe a busted front strut, but the front corner isn't sagging at all and the strut reacts normally when tested. The noise almost sounds like there is something loose, any ideas?

I had this noise in my left rear after upgrading to new rotors and performance pads. I thought it might be the calipers - I was close, it was the brake pad not being shimmed up properly, and it rattled every time I hit a bump. Tightened it up, sound went away (for now at least)

 

[SiMi]

I had that annoying rattle but it turned out to be one of the engine mounts. I brought the car into the shop like 7 times before I found it. I kept thinking it was in the suspension cuz it was went I hit some bumps. Keep it in mind !

 

[lucaspl88]

99% of the time the rattle is a loose or broken sway bar endlink.