Clunk Information

[DooMer_MP3]

In case people haven't seen it, theres a huge thread on the clunk in the MP3 section. Recently getting really ticked off, I decided to go the "unconventional" route and email two Mazda engineers directly. You can see the letter I wrote and the response on the last page of the thread below from Truman Pollard. Just thought I'd share this with the MSP folks since you too are lucky enough to experience THE CLUNK!

http://www.protegemp3.com/vbb230/showthread.php?s=&postid=361849#post361849

Chris

 

[girth]

GREAT job Doomer. Sure hope it all works out SOON like it sounds like it will. The damn clunk is starting to annoy me MORE than the hesitation on the MSP -- which originally I didn't think was possible but now that it's clunking over 50% of the bumps I drive on, it's too much to bear. If no fix, no MSP for me -- I don't know how you MP3 owners could stand keeping your car for 2+ years with it.

 

[KyRaceFan]

it almsot sounds like my sub enclosure is the source of the clunk, at least on my car... not the suspension bushings... anyone else had this idea?

 

[t3ase]

Had that idea. Think I'm going to go outside and check out my enclosure right now. Maybe even take it off and head to home depot tomorrow for some foam if there's not any there.

 

[KyRaceFan]

let me know how that goes tease... i really think its the sub box making the noise... its too "inside" the car to be the susp.... but this is my car.. and they all seem to have their own personality.

 

[DooMer_MP3]

Trust me, its not the sub. That was one of my first thoughts the first time I heard it. That and a loose spare, or blown strut. It is an EVIL noise. Hopefully the fix will be coming!!!

Chris

 

[KyRaceFan]

Trust me, its not the sub. That was one of my first thoughts the first time I heard it. That and a loose spare, or blown strut. It is an EVIL noise. Hopefully the fix will be coming!!!

Chris

do you have an mp3? was this a problem on those too?
too lazy to search.. and well this thread is already about the clunk..

 

[girth]

Yes, I've had that idea about the sub too. Then the spare tire, then the trunk "floor piece," then etc......

It really does sounds like something INSIDE the trunk to me, but trust me it's the suspension. Mine is starting to get extremely annoying and much more frequent.

Like Doomer said, it is an EVIL noise. Oh, and he owns an MP3 -- they've had the problem for 2 years now. So that makes it hard to believe that Mazda will "suddenly" come out with a fix after 2 Looooooooooong years. But Doomer's email sounds real promising.

 

[yashooa]

it almsot sounds like my sub enclosure is the source of the clunk, at least on my car... not the suspension bushings... anyone else had this idea?

Yes mine makes noise. I know it's not the bushings I have crawled under the car and checked over and over again it is most defintely something to do with my enclosure. It does not sound anything like what the clunk has been described as.
And it only does it some of the time over really bad parts of the road usally at low speeds.
I don't mean easy bumps but some really patched up pavement that we have in some of the construction zones.

 

[MazdaDryvr]

Did you see the thread where the guy fixed the clunk with a piece of rubber hose?

 

[KyRaceFan]

Wow, a fix by october? Thats great news... if the hesitation issue AND clunk are fixed.. then thats just awesome news, mp3 and msp owners!!

If and when it is fixed, then i guess i gotta get under the hood and replace some vacuum hoses i cut to install the FPR... but luckily, got plenty laying around now!

 

[Wiggles6983]

n00b question... (since this thread is about the clunk already)

I got my MSP about 2 weeks ago, what is this clunk? What should I be looking (listening) for and when?

 

[KyRaceFan]

wiggles: search button! or read the info in the other thread.

Basically, the sway bar bushings(rubber spacers), are crap, and wear out, then cuase the bar to "clunk" very loudly. You'll hear it eventually, as you go over more and more bumps....
its a cosmetic detail, and according to mazda, will have a fix by October...

 

[Newf]

I cannot believe there are still people in this forum that do not know what the clunk is yet

yashooa. Looking under your car is not going to achieve anything. You won't "see" the bushings not working and the bar will only move once the bushings get really really bad after a LONG time

 

[MazdaDryvr]

I'm starting to notice it more now that the weather is going wet and cool.

 

[trobbins]

I am taking my MP3 in on monday to get the bushings replaced. The guy at Don Miller Mazda asked what I needed done and I said I need the bushings replaced again. He said "I don't know if they will replace those again." I have had them replaced 3 times!!! I know many people have had them replaced many more times than that. He also said "You know that problem is going to be there for ever right?" I believe Mazda is legally obligated to fix the bushings for the life of the car because the problem has been well documented when the car is under its warranty. If they don't replace them on Monday (which is still under the warranty) I will be super pissed and I will make a scene.

Tim

 

[scott42]

don't go getting all excited fellas...they have been saying there is a fix for the past 2 yrs...

not trying to be pessimistic, just realistic...

 

[DooMer_MP3]

trobbins,
I just had mine replaced on Tuesday. I had the clunk since May, and when I went in during my early July oil change, they were out of the bushings so I had to wait. The problem got worse, almost as bad as the first time when I let it go for three months (the first time they replaced the whole swaybar, endlinks and bushings). They had to replace the bushings and endlinks and mentioned my right rear strut was making noise and had that replaced on Wednesday. Don't let them screw you over. They were very nice about it to me though. I'll tell you what though, theres the one younger guy that works at the desk there. His name is Jason and he has always been ultra-helpful. But the other guy there that is older and blonde with kind of a red face is a jerk. He's told me that the problem is normal. One time I said my bushings are rattling again and he jumped in with "If its a rattle, its a totally different problem and could take a long time to fix" I'm like wtf? Who the hell can make out a difference between a rattle and clunk. He also always tries to make me prove the noise is there when I bring it in, as if I enjoy taking time out of my day to have a problem fixed.

Try to deal with Jason.

Chris

 

[trobbins]

I think the guy I talked to on the phone was the red faced blonde guy. He was the guy that asked if I went on a internet board and bad talked Don Miller Mazda. He is a jerk though. Another guy there, that is kind of chunky, is really nice, almost too nice. I think he is one of the mechanics.

Don't worry, I won't let them screw me over.

Tim

 

[DooMer_MP3]

trobbins,
Haha, that explains it all man. Christ, I hope he doesn't lurk here because I'll never get a new bushing change again. The other guy with the glasses that you descibe that is almost too nice, yeah man, I love that guy. We joke about how they don't even have to ask who I am anymore because they know me.

Well, someday you should head back to Silverstone, drink a couple of beers and play some Vice City while talking about clunks, rattles and what not . Take it easy.

Chris