MS3 Loose Stabilizer Bar Nut - Clunks from the rear

[epi98]

This thread is phenomenal. Thanks to all who have posted in it - I knew I wasn't crazy when I heard clunking and it wasn't the jack and spare rattling around. First time I took it to the dealer, I was told by a tech that it was "just the way they build the car... it makes some noise." The noise got worse over time, and I just took it in. Sure enough, tightened the right rear swaybar link bolt. Thankfully still under warranty so free of charge, but I think it also helped that I slide an index card to the service person along with my keys... offering suggestions from this thread

 

[ericrapp]

It should have had a thread locker applied and it is manufacturing defect in the process. it s not good but I think it is not that bad. i retorqued on my own after hearing the clunking, then seeing the nut backed off a bit right side. It loosened like a day later. Blue locktite solved it and during the sway bar upgrade I did use 242 to retain all the hardware . I will check them again soon.

 

[mazdaspeed32007]

i dont feel like reading this whole thing but i had to being mine back for a rear stab-bar a month after i got it for a rattle over bumps....low and behold, stab-bar nut. chew on it....enjoy....converse....throw up....whatever it is you do when i type.

 

[black_ninja23]

Got the car back today!

Alright! For those who haven't read the entire thread...I'll give my short before and after story here. Before I brought my 08 MS3 in, I was having that "clunking" noise. It all started after 3 months of owning the car. Finally I couldn't take it anymore so after 5 months of owning the car (May '08) I brought the car in. At first I thought it was just the spare and something loose in the trunk, nope everything was tight. So, in May they checked out the suspension and "found nothing loose or broken ...and could not replicate." So, nothing was done in May. At that time I had no idea what to look for, I just visually inspected the car for anything out of place in the back suspension, but found nothing visually wrong. Last week the sound just kept getting worse with every bump. Did my own research online, went to check out the suspension to check for any loose nut, and lo and behold the arm link was off the stabilizer bar!! ....Brought to the dealer, and finally got it back today. In the end the tech replaced both arm links and of course put in new nuts. The nuts are pretty tight...we'll just have to wait how it goes. But yeah it totally took care of the "CLUNK" noise! On top of that, my car handles waaaaay better, just like the first day I brought it home! No wonder the Mazda6 they loaned me felt it could take the twisties much better than the MS3!

Also, I talked to the tech, he told me that he's been getting a lot of brand new MS3's for that loose nut...wouldn't have ever checked if I didn't find this thread....THANKS OP!(drinks)

 

[ericrapp]

That is the basic point of the forum for me. The help available. So many folks have more or different actual experience with their cars and are willing to help out. Good ending to the story 23

 

[dandydaniel]

Does anyone know if this problem has been fixed within the 2008.5 models? I've only driven my 08.5 200 miles so far and I haven't really had the chance to go over any speed bumps yet so I haven't heard any clunking yet. if any of you 08.5 owners have had the problem arise already, please respond!

 

[mazdaspeed32007]

you wont really heard it over speed bumps...its more over a rough road at a decent speed. going 30 on back roads etc.... just check your rear sway links top make sure its all secure. your probably could just pull the sway around a little on both sides to make sure its all tight.

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

Just check your bolts, I wouldn't sit and listen for noises because it's a good chance you may not hear it. And theres no sense freakin out over every bump.

 

[buttdart]

i installed some road magnet springs about 2 months ago (2500 miles ago) and noticed very slight noise over bumps, no big deal.

well, saturday night as i was leaving my parking lot i hit the speed bump VERY slow as usual and about poops when i heard 'the clunk'. my gf looked at me (3600 miles on car) and said wtf was that?!

well, i noticed at 80mph on interstate, there is no extra noise or clunks even if i hit small bumps. strange.

so, i crawled under my car at work over lunch but the bolt was NOT finger loose. i'm going to go under there tonight and try to crank down on it and see what happens.

 

[ericrapp]

Sounds about right. Could be something else though. It would be a good time to get under there and really poke around. Good luck

 

[whitey4311]

Just had my sway bar come loose for the 3rd time. This time the dealer has to order a new bolt since it is jacked up. I am tired of this stupid s*** and why dont they thread lock them or use nylocks?

1k miles right rear came loose, 20k right front loose, 24k miles right rear loose again.

Funny part is that I used red lock tite on that right rear at 1k miles and tightened it myself after reading this thread 1 year ago. Even then it still came loose so there needs to be a serious fix here. Perhaps a nut that is scribed on the back so it bites into the sway bar and wont work loose?

 

[black_ninja23]

Just had my sway bar come loose for the 3rd time. This time the dealer has to order a new bolt since it is jacked up. I am tired of this stupid s*** and why dont they thread lock them or use nylocks?

1k miles right rear came loose, 20k right front loose, 24k miles right rear loose again.

Funny part is that I used red lock tite on that right rear at 1k miles and tightened it myself after reading this thread 1 year ago. Even then it still came loose so there needs to be a serious fix here. Perhaps a nut that is scribed on the back so it bites into the sway bar and wont work loose?

your one nut away from a lemon

 

[AutoXRacer]

I'm starting to think if the issue isn't sway bar walking...? (huh)
I've noticed the stock sway bar shifts positions, I'm wondering if thats not the cause of bolts loosening...

 

[whitey4311]

Well I will let them fix this bolt and see how it goes. I am suspecting that when it first happened when the car was new the threads were messed up and I didnt know it. The red loctite helped for a long time but now it is obvious the bolt is the culprit.

All 4 have been checked and torqued down at the dealer so if this happens again I will raise hell and demand they do something that will work. The only good part is that I keep going to the dealer so they record all this and I am not going to touch it myself again.

The last time I was there the dumb s*** mechanic asked if I messed with the bolt. I asked him how the **** that would make sense that I want to come here and wait for you to tighten a nut that I loosened just for s**** and giggles, lol. The the service rep asked how hard I drive it and I told him so ******* hard that I perfected the art of loosening the nuts on the car, lol. I think he realized how stupid the question was after that.

 

[ericrapp]

Ha! that is funny s*** 4311. your response, I mean, of course.

 

[Satracing]

Just got rid of my "clunk" in the rear!

I have a '08 MS3 and the end links have driven me crazy.

Installed Cobb springs and a RSB so taking it to the dealer after pulling those off was out of the question....

So I purchased a pair of AWR adjustable end links for $85. Put them on and the sway bay feels better and I don't expect them to loosen up.

Just putting the OEM end link next to the AWR and you can see the difference. One is a hunk of s___, and the other is a professionally made piece.

No more "clunk"......Thank goodness!

 

[ericrapp]

I do enjoy a good ending, Satracing.

 

[restored2x]

Just took my 08 MS3 in to check out the clunking - and it'll be in the shop for a few days for replacement. The clunking wasn't super loud - but the tech told me it was unsafe to continue to drive like that. Wish I've looked at it myself before taking it in and got some pics - I thought maybe I was just being paranoid after reading this thread. Apparently not. The clunk is NOT normal. If you got a clunk, take it in.

This forum rocks! Thanks to OP and all who contributed to this thread!

 

[MikeHTally]

I put a Cobb RSB on mine last Thursday... I had to put some grunt on all the fasteners to get them off (3.6K miles), so maybe they fixed it. I believe I saw some Loc-Tite on the end-link and clamp bolts. I put some blue Loc-Tite on at reassembly. Torqued the clamps to 40 ft/lbs and the end links to 35. Haven't looked in the manual yet to see if that's correct. Does anyone know what those specs are supposed to be?

 

[ericrapp]

Hey Mike, auto x made me start thinking again. When I replaced my rear bar I noticed that the stock bar was not centered. And realizing that I had clamp collars to set in place, I did center the links as best I could. Just thinking out loud as someone who had theirs loosen up again and again till I used locktite. How did you set the clamp collars? I have 'H's though I assume you guys with C have same deal?