Front Suspension Clunk

[Turbo Smoke]

For the past while I have been getting a clunking noise coming from the front suspension. It happens when I go over pretty much any bump or uneven surface in the road. The speed doesn't seem to matter too much. Occasionally I get a popping type noise when I turn as well (happens more when I turn right).

My first thought was the front sway bar end links. The ball joints and tie rods seem tight and the struts aren't leaking and dont feel soft. The control arm bushings aren't cracked or anything as far as I can tell. There is no squeaking noise so I didn't think it was the sway bar bushings. I guess they could still be the problem though??

I tried to check the end links for any play... I put the front suspension under load (by jacking up the control arm) and checked to see if the end links felt loose but they don't.

Has anybody else had this problem? Any ideas would be great.

Thanks guys.

 

[ucMP3]

Endlinks and bushings may be worn out on your front swaybar. Those are the likely culprits.

The popping when you turn right is most likely a worn out cv joint.

 

[Turbo Smoke]

Do you have any info to back this up? I'm not trying to say you don't know what you're talking about or anything, I suspected that was the problem as well. Has this happened to you and replacing the end links and bushings fixed it? Or is it just a common problem or something you've heard about...

 

[ucMP3]

The likely reason that no one else has replied to this is because there is A TON of info and countless threads on this topic. Use the search function, it can be a PITA, but vary your inquiries and it is still effective.

And yes, it's a very common problem. (the clunk) Popping while turning is simply a general indicator for a worn out cv joint on all cars. Thats about all the justification I'm gonna provide, lol.

 

[Turbo Smoke]

I have tried to do some searching but cannot find anything useful on clunking of the front suspension. I realize it is a very common problem in the rear caused by worn sway bar bushings and I have read that the front sway bar bushings tend to cause a squeaking noise especially when it is cold. But I do not have any of these problems and could not find anything more closely related to my issue.

I was hoping that somebody has had this noise and/or replaced the endlinks before and could provide some input.

Thanks for the info, I can try and do more searching.

 

[ucMP3]

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/search.php?searchid=8302574&pp=25

Child Plz. (rofl)

 

[Turbo Smoke]

I guess I should have searched the entire site not just the MSP section. Thats probably the most help I can get since there could be a few different issues (inner tie rods, strut mounts, endlinks, CA bushings, SB bushings, pretty big list of possibilities). I think I'll start with the endlinks and go from there.

Thanks for the help.

 

[ucMP3]

NP, suspension issues are always iffy. You never know for sure until you're under the car tearing it down...

If my strut mounts get here tmrw like the tracking says, I may get started with a bunch of suspension work this weekend. New struts and endlinks are already sitting at my house. That reminds me, I forgot to order new front swaybar bushings... fack.

 

[Turbo Smoke]

Guess you'll have to go to mazda and pick up some OEM junk lol. I've been reading mixed opinions on replacing the front sway bar bushings... Some people say they're a PITA others say they're pretty easy? The rears are simple but the front doesn't look that hard either. Have you done them before?

 

[ucMP3]

People used to say you had to drop the subframe to get at the front swaybar bushings, but with some patience and ingenuity you should be able to get to them without touching the subframe. It's still a PITA from what I understand tho... I'll find out when I replace mine, lol.

 

[justanothermp5]

ive never done it myself but it doesnt seem like you need to drop the subframe, cuz u can reach the bushings if u have the car in the air and the wheel off
but getting a bolt off in that small space would be hard i imagine, unless of course u have a impact or air rachet, then it should be easy lol

 

[ucMP3]

ive never done it myself but it doesnt seem like you need to drop the subframe, cuz u can reach the bushings if u have the car in the air and the wheel off
but getting a bolt off in that small space would be hard i imagine, unless of course u have a impact or air rachet, then it should be easy lol

Exactly.

 

[Turbo Smoke]

ive never done it myself but it doesnt seem like you need to drop the subframe, cuz u can reach the bushings if u have the car in the air and the wheel off
but getting a bolt off in that small space would be hard i imagine, unless of course u have a impact or air rachet, then it should be easy lol

Looks like it would be difficult to get any air tools in there. I think a gear wrench (or ratcheting wrench) would be useful for this. Definitely doesn't seem like you need to drop the subframe though.

 

[ucMP3]

Just ordered the bushings.

 

[Turbo Smoke]

Nice. What did you go with?

 

[ucMP3]

OEM. I looked around for a bit and couldn't find any urethane or aftermarket ones so I said **** it. Urethane ones usually squeak and clunk more anyways. They hold tighter tho.

 

[Turbo Smoke]

Yeah they're probably not really necessary unless you're doing some serious racing.

I've been looking up sway bar endlinks and don't see any different options for the front links on an MSP. The rear ones have the MPS suspension option but I haven't seen anything for the front. So are the front links the same for the regular protege and the MSP? Can anyone confirm this?

 

[pavone]

just out of curiosity, have you though about going with the awr endlinks? i have the same noises front and back (minus popping) and pretty sure its the endlinks. anyway the awrs looked like a nice upgrade. not a huge difference in price either i believe.

 

[Turbo Smoke]

I have looked into the AWR links. They're $90 at PG plus shipping to Canada, how much that will cost, I dunno. I think I can get TRW OEM replacement endlinks at Partsource for $42 for the set. Don't quote me on that but that's the way it looks. So I don't really think it's worth spending probably tripple that when I'm not planning any auto x in the near future. Maybe a few track days just for fun but thats about it, don't think its enough to warrant spending the extra money.

 

[ucMP3]

AWR endlinks are unnecesary unless you're upgrading to a larger swaybar. OEM endlinks will be just fine and cost half as much. If you realllyyyyy want adjustable endlinks, there is a thread on here on how to make your own (that are as good or better quality than the AWR's) in the How-to section. Just search "adjustable endlink" and it should come up on the first page I would think.