bad thrust bearings?

[greenlantern94]

i have a general suspension question. the thrust bearings that go on the top of the struts. what would happen if one of those went bad? would there be any noise? this actually isn't for a protege, but i was hoping you guys could help anyway. thanks in advance.

[Kelly]

yeah i believe you would get a rattle sound from that strut. Never heard a bad thrust bearing but ive seen enough troublshooting documented to be able to assume that.

[greenlantern94]

hmmm. a rattling you say. the reason i'm asking is cause my dad's car (geo prism) has been making this, i guess you could say clunking (thumping) noise, when you drive it. it starts doing it around 40 mph and gets a little worse as you increase speed. it does it regardless of whether the engines on or off, and regardless of what gear you're in. we've changed all 4 struts, cv shafts, wheel bearings, the clutch is new, and the noise is still there. anyone ever hear of anything like this?? thanks

[bruce95fmla]

I think usually if the thrust bearing is bad, you would hear a thunking sound when you are turning the steering wheel.

What you are describeing is probably the wheel bearing.
You can pull the hub off and take it to a shop and have them press it out, then press a new one in.
Bruce

[Kelly]

a wheel bearing would squeal though wouldnt it bruce, i thing it must be something else loose under the front end....those clunks are a bitch to find man

[greenlantern94]

no, i've heard of wheel bearings making that kind of clunking, however, if you read my earlier post, i said all 4 wheel bearings were new. yeah it has to be something in the suspension. thanks guys, we'll keep looking.

[bruce95fmla]

check the sway bar links if it has any. Or else, I dunno, you would just have to really look.

[MazdaRacer]

Generally, a bad thrust bearing would not make a clunking sound, turning or not. You usually get a grinding sound, which is the spring trying to turn in the perch and if your in tune, you can feel the "sproing" action of the spring through the steering wheel. You would also have an irregular feeling in the steering of the car, maybe it'll pull to one side, maybe it binds at certain places, etc

[JordyB]

Where's a good place to buy replacement or upgraded thrust bearings?

Thanks,

[MazdaRacer]

Any Ford or Mazda dealer. The only "upgrade" i know of is the metal ZX2 bearing, but thats only for use with the ZX2 struts.

You have other issues if your blowing out thrust bearings

Where's a good place to buy replacement or upgraded thrust bearings?

Thanks,

[JordyB]

This is true, but i need to replace ones that done exsist since the new suspension im getting are missing. )O: ;p

[MazdaRacer]

If it's the suspension i think it is, the ZX2 bearings are what you want

[JordyB]

You're prolly thinking right, would any old auto parts store have them or are they special order kinda thing?

Thanks,

[MazdaRacer]

I dunno, doubt it. They're cheap enough from the dealer, i never bothered to try parts stores.