Loud clunking from rear on bumps

[absolutamente]

My ms3 has about 80,000 on it now and I drive down the worst road in Minnesota every day to get to and from work (hwy 56). The last month or so I've really started to notice this loud clunking from the rear and a little from the front when I hit bumps. I really cant tell if the ride is any worse than before, but it doesn't really seem like it handles as good anymore. Any insight into what this could be? bad shocks? bushings? mounts?

 

[nynhex]

Sounds like the bump stops are rotted/deteriorating and are causing the struts to bottom out. Have you taken the wheels off and inspected?

 

[meicalnissyen]

My ms3 has about 80,000 on it now and I drive down the worst road in Minnesota every day to get to and from work (hwy 56). The last month or so I've really started to notice this loud clunking from the rear and a little from the front when I hit bumps. I really cant tell if the ride is any worse than before, but it doesn't really seem like it handles as good anymore. Any insight into what this could be? bad shocks? bushings? mounts?

Stock shocks?

 

[H3br3w_Ham3r]

My ms3 has about 80,000 on it now and I drive down the worst road in Minnesota every day to get to and from work (hwy 56). The last month or so I've really started to notice this loud clunking from the rear and a little from the front when I hit bumps. I really cant tell if the ride is any worse than before, but it doesn't really seem like it handles as good anymore. Any insight into what this could be? bad shocks? bushings? mounts?

Sway bar end link bolts is the first thing I'd check. They tend to losen themselves up without locktite. Happened to me at 5k and I thought I was losing a shock the noise was so bad.

 

[absolutamente]

Yes stock shocks. No I haven't checked the bump stops or the sway bar end links. I will check both after work today and check back. Thanks for the ideas.

 

[LovinMyMS3]

End link bolts or shocks. Both my rear shocks went out over the last 10k. There is a TSB about them. I don't believe they do it if the warranty is out though.

 

[Loose]

sway bar end link bolts is the first thing i'd check. They tend to losen themselves up without locktite. Happened to me at 5k and i thought i was losing a shock the noise was so bad.

+1

 

[absolutamente]

Did you guys get yours replaced already? If so, did you go aftermarket or stock? What was the price and where did you get them?

 

[speedsports]

I installed some lock washer on my COBB RSB with the stock endlinks. Overall first drive felt good, no more "THUUUNNNKKKK".

Will report later to see how everything feels after more driving time.

 

[absolutamente]

You guys were right. It was the end link. Pretty shady. Everything in this car falls apart.

 

[absolutamente]

Actually I'm not so sure... On futher inspection the drivers side rear shock is definately blown. Oil pouring out (see picture). But what do you guys think about my sway bar end links? They look weird to me but I guess I've never looked before. The passenger side angle seems weird for sitting on flat ground?

 

[LovinMyMS3]

Everything in this car falls apart.

Really? I've got 37k and have had very minor problems, guess you believe the problems that happen to 5% of owners happen to everybody, that's funny and kind of sad.

 

[absolutamente]

Really? I've got 37k and have had very minor problems, guess you believe the problems that happen to 5% of owners happen to everybody, that's funny and kind of sad.

Not to turn this into a b**** fest thread but in 70,000 miles I have had:

1. Rear sway bar nut fall off
2. Replaced first turbo
3. Motor mount failure
4. Replaced second turbo
5. Paint peeling and chips everywhere, including where it should not be like the back of the hood, inside door wells and the roof
6. Paint peeling off the wheels which have never touched a curb or anything harder than cloth for cleaning
7. Replaced third turbo after a huge ordeal with Mazda and the dealership
8. And now one or two blown shocks

I guess technically thats not "everything falling apart" but it is pretty outrageous in my opinion.

 

[absolutamente]

Not to turn this into a b**** fest thread but in 70,000 miles I have had:

1. Rear sway bar nut fall off
2. Replaced first turbo
3. Motor mount failure
4. Replaced second turbo
5. Paint peeling and chips everywhere, including where it should not be like the back of the hood, inside door wells and the roof
6. Paint peeling off the wheels which have never touched a curb or anything harder than cloth for cleaning
7. Replaced third turbo after a huge ordeal with Mazda and the dealership
8. And now one or two blown shocks

I guess technically that’s not "everything falling apart" but it is pretty outrageous in my opinion.

Most of the automotive world is working in terms of a six sigma level of quality where quality defects are measured in terms of defective parts per million; and, while I have no data to support it, based on the production volume of the Mazdaspeed 3 and the number of issues I've heard of just on this forum, they are working with something more along the lines of defective parts per thousand. That is ridiculous for a modern automotive company.

 

[freeflyfreak]

Most of the automotive world is working in terms of a six sigma level of quality where quality defects are measured in terms of defective parts per million; and, while I have no data to support it, based on the production volume of the Mazdaspeed 3 and the number of issues I've heard of just on this forum, they are working with something more along the lines of defective parts per thousand. That is ridiculous for a modern automotive company.

That is because your data is based on forums, which is basically like a complaints department.
"I have this issue"
"This broke"
"how do I fix this"

The vast majority of owners don't post on forums, and the vast majority who do post on forums dont post about how they dont have any problems"

There is a thread on another forum called "My car is running great" or words to that effect.
It is full of posts from people who have had little or no problems with their car.

Personally 22K miles and replaced only wear parts, car runs great.

 

[khoney]

Actually I'm not so sure... On futher inspection the drivers side rear shock is definately blown. Oil pouring out (see picture). But what do you guys think about my sway bar end links? They look weird to me but I guess I've never looked before. The passenger side angle seems weird for sitting on flat ground?

Check out my thread... look familiar?

http://www.mazdamp3.com/vbb225/showthread.php?t=123759163

 

[onelsono]

check your exhaust, mine was doing the same sound, it was hitting somwhere on occasion.

 

[KARLitos]

Sway bar end link bolts is the first thing I'd check. They tend to losen themselves up without locktite. Happened to me at 5k and I thought I was losing a shock the noise was so bad.

I just had my tires replaced, and during the process, the mechanic noticed the same issue.. my end link bolts were lose. I thought it was only me :wtf:

 

[nynhex]

I just had my tires replaced, and during the process, the mechanic noticed the same issue.. my end link bolts were lose. I thought it was only me :wtf:

Locktite to the rescue. It'll definitely keep those bolts tight.

 

[KARLitos]

Locktite to the rescue. It'll definitely keep those bolts tight.

gotcha

the clunky noise was no joke though. i thought my shocks broke

I just brought my car back from the shop after getting belt tension assembly fixed... and my cp-e intake is falling off. Last thing i wanted was another expensive repair...

Im waiting for the weather to warm up so i can take off the bumper to examine wtf happened with the intake lol