Hotchkisperf
Member
Since the release of our Sport Sway Bars, we have received a handful of calls from Mazda Speed and 3 owners concerned about noise coming from the front of the vehicle after installing our parts. At Hotchkis Sport Suspension, we are always concerned about quality and fitment so we have researched the issue carefully.
During the R&D process we installed the sway bars in our facility for three vehicles, 2 2007 Mazda Speed 3’s and one 2006 Mazda 3. The owners of these vehicles have not complained of noises.
Just recently, we had one of the Mazda Speed 3 owner bring the vehicle back in again to further investigate any possible sources of noise in the front suspension.
Here are our findings:
Vehicle: 2007 Mazda Speed 3, Stock Height, Stock Suspension
Hotchkis Sway Bars Installed- Mild clunking noise going over speed bumps. No noise experienced in driveways or during normal driving.
Front Sway Bar Removed- We removed the front sway bar completely from the vehicle and drove it again over the same speed bumps. Clunking noise was still present. Engineering commented that noise is similar to noise associated with coil springs clunking.
From past experience we have found that some owners do not always scrutinize noises until modifications have been made to a vehicle.
While doing research on the forums we have found the following owner complaints regarding front end noises on parts unrelated to Hotchkis.
Front end clunking while turning (stock suspension) - http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123695035
It seems like many of the posts regarding noises on the Mazda 3 and MS3 are end link related, and seem to appear on cars with both aftermarket and stock sway bars.
Hotchkis Sport Suspension will be offering upgraded end links for sale in the near future for those who wish to upgrade.
Hotchkis would like to thank everyone for supporting our products and your patience while we investigated the application.
During the R&D process we installed the sway bars in our facility for three vehicles, 2 2007 Mazda Speed 3’s and one 2006 Mazda 3. The owners of these vehicles have not complained of noises.
Just recently, we had one of the Mazda Speed 3 owner bring the vehicle back in again to further investigate any possible sources of noise in the front suspension.
Here are our findings:
Vehicle: 2007 Mazda Speed 3, Stock Height, Stock Suspension
Hotchkis Sway Bars Installed- Mild clunking noise going over speed bumps. No noise experienced in driveways or during normal driving.
Front Sway Bar Removed- We removed the front sway bar completely from the vehicle and drove it again over the same speed bumps. Clunking noise was still present. Engineering commented that noise is similar to noise associated with coil springs clunking.
From past experience we have found that some owners do not always scrutinize noises until modifications have been made to a vehicle.
While doing research on the forums we have found the following owner complaints regarding front end noises on parts unrelated to Hotchkis.
Front end clunking while turning (stock suspension) - http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123695035
It seems like many of the posts regarding noises on the Mazda 3 and MS3 are end link related, and seem to appear on cars with both aftermarket and stock sway bars.
Hotchkis Sport Suspension will be offering upgraded end links for sale in the near future for those who wish to upgrade.
Hotchkis would like to thank everyone for supporting our products and your patience while we investigated the application.
