Got back from the dealer a few hours ago. Just to recap a little:
The Service Manager (SM) ordered the 8 foam clips a few weeks ago and I finally had time to bring it in this morning. I had talked to her on the phone about the TSB and told her I was getting rattling noises from the area where the dash meets the windshield. She had no problems ordering the clips without verifying that I had the problem.
When I got there, she told me that even though the noise was barely noticeable and my VIN was out of the range covered under the TSB that she would still go ahead and have it done. She wanted to make sure she addressed my problem instead of saying, "Your car isn't covered under the TSB and we don't know what to do to fix it." She was VERY nice and went way out of her way to take care of my concerns. She later came out and told me that she found another TSB that she wanted to perform. See below (anyone know what I/P stands for in this TSB?):
LIGHT METALLIC RING/TAP NOISE FROM I/P ON ACCEL
Applicable Models
2004 - Mazda3 VIN Range: 000000 - ZZZZZZ;
2005 - Mazda3 VIN Range: 000000 - ZZZZZZ;
2006 - Mazda3 VIN Range: 000000 - ZZZZZZ;
Symptoms
800 EXCESSIVE OPERATION NOISE
820 UNUSUAL NOISE(EXCL. PINGING,SQUEAKING,OPERATION,RESONANCE)
MTOL - 4740 Dealer Repair Information
A light, metallic ring/tap noise may be heard coming from the I/P. The
concern is a one time event only, during a harsh clutch engagement
and/or while quickly letting off or stepping on the throttle.
The source of noise may be coming from the shift cable bracket. The
bracket is mounted on the body tunnel, above the exhaust system flexible
pipe. The heat insulation must be pushed back in order to access the
bracket.
Two studs secure the bracket. The bracket was designed to be pressed
onto one stud with a nut installed on the second stud. Install a nut on
the stud without a nut. (Locally source the nut, thread size 6mm x
1.0mm with a 10mm head.)
***Published in Sept/Oct 2005 M-tips***
1/19/06 - MTO updated to include 2006MY.
Since my car already had the foam tips, she added the extra set of tips onto the existing one since she already ordered it for me. She thought this would create a even better contact point. She said even though the above TSB I posted wasn't directly affecting my Speed3, she wanted to have it done just so we've addressed another potential cause. Now I don't know if I experienced the symptoms in the the above TSB, but I was glad they did it. I will find out in the next few days if both of these TSBs have helped in eliminating or at least reducing the chatter. Last thing: she also wanted me to keep her updated on if the noise comes back as they're getting a new insulation material that keeps cars from having rattles. If the noise comes back, I'll go in to have them add this stuff she says should help. I'll update this thread on what happens.
