Popping Noise When Turning

[Hank3]

Haha...yeah. We start experiencing all sorts of noises and issues during the Winter months. Glad I live in FL

In anycase, I hope with this many people chiming in that we may be able to find a solution at some point.

 

[NYSP33D3]

I get that as well is my 07... Its just another mazda NOISE(mswerd)

 

[Sporty3]

Just chiming in.. I get the "pop" sound too when backing out in the mornings.

 

[Hank3]

And I heard it in the middle of the day today. Thought of this thread immediately!!!

 

[stormin84]

the noise is most likely from the strut bearing...had mine replaced and noise is completely gone now.

 

[DaleNixon]

BC coilovers get?

 

[Hank3]

the noise is most likely from the strut bearing...had mine replaced and noise is completely gone now.

How did you find out which strut bearing it was (front, rear, left, right)? And I'm assuming you got it replaced under warranty? This kinda thing is random so I know the dealer would have a hard time replicating it.

 

[stormin84]

How did you find out which strut bearing it was (front, rear, left, right)? And I'm assuming you got it replaced under warranty? This kinda thing is random so I know the dealer would have a hard time replicating it.

The noise was coming from the front passenger side, i had to buy the part dealership would not fixed it because i'm lowered ( the part was only like $20 cdn, so you US guys it would be even cheaper). A buddy and I changed the strut bearing and took about an hour to replace and the noise is totally gone now.

 

[Hank3]

Sweet - if I could figure out where the sound is coming from, I'd like to fix mine, too. More info would be appreciated if you can remember (i.e. part name/number, write-up maybe?).

 

[stormin84]

i'll have to look for the part number and i think i've seen a write up somewhere just got to find them..

 

[Hank3]

OK. Please post back here when you have the info.

 

[stormin84]

Sweet - if I could figure out where the sound is coming from, I'd like to fix mine, too. More info would be appreciated if you can remember (i.e. part name/number, write-up maybe?).

Bearing part number BP4K-34-38XB (its the same part number for both sides)

sorry i can't seem to find the write up that i had

its the piece that sits on top of the spring so you'll need to compress the spring in order to remove it...(make sure you do not pop the bearing open because 95% of the time you will have the same clunking noise and it will not solve problem that you originally had.)

 

[Hank3]

The popping noise is occurring more frequently these days. Thanks for posting the part number. It's gonna be about $35 shipped per strut. Can you clarify the popping sound you had and when/how often it occurred? Just wanted to make sure that installing this part would would remedy this annoying sound. And have you had the sound come back? How long have you had the new parts installed? According to the Mazda parts catalog, it's a bushing of some sort and not new bearings? Mine really osund like something is binding and then popping. It's happening almost exclusively when I put it in reverse and turn the steering wheel.

 

[Hank3]

I think I found the problem. It's posted in a how-to thread on the Mazda3 Forums. You can either clean out the existing strut ball bearings (36 of them in each strut); get a new set for each strut; or go to the dealer. I don't know if I want to go through the hassle at the dealer so I'll try to open both of mine up and clean them first maybe.

 

[Nliiitend1]

They aren't worth opening up IMO. Just buy new ones. They're cheap, and are not really meant to be "serviced."

 

[Hank3]

Wonder why they're going out this early on. It started happening around 10K. I hope new ones don't go out just as fast.

 

[Kain]

I believe one of the auto rags (Car & Driver? Motor Trend?) had a longterm MS3 that required strut replacement ~30k miles. According to them at the time, Mazda was aware of the issue and looking into a fix. Haven't heard jack about it since.

 

[Hank3]

Wish they would have pursued the issue further. Sounds like it's somewhat common to have this annoying thung/pop sound.

 

[Kain]

Ironically, my popping has gone away *knocks on wood*, and it's been just as cold as ever. Not sure it's a weather-related issue anymore.

 

[Hank3]

You lucky son of gun. Yours goes away and my gets worse - haha. Maybe it's the Shinkas Let's swap!!!