A couple issues with a new-to-me BG

[zoomtictac]

So now that I've had the car a little while now, there's a few things I need to take care of. I tried searching around for similar issues, but I wasn't quite sure what to search for, outside of "clunk" or "noise" or something like that.

First thing, there's a clunk that I hear coming from the rear of the car occasionally, over larger bumps - seems to happen more during more intense suspension compression. It doesn't sound metallic like a loose exhaust pipe, more like something clunking around in the trunk. I thought maybe it was the spare, but I took it out and the noise didn't stop. I figure its got to be the suspension, but can't isolate it. Ideas?

The other thing just started happening (or maybe I just noticed) about 2 days ago. When I turn the steering wheel, there's a pretty loud squeaking noise - like rubber rubbing on metal type sound. I notice it also happens during suspension bound/rebound. Now, when I say it happens when I turn the wheel, I don't mean while driving around corners. It's while I'm physically moving the wheel one way or another, and its most noticable the slower I'm moving it. I stuck my head under the edge of the car while my friend moved the steering wheel back and forth, trying to see if I could tell where it was coming from. I touched a couple different parts, to see if I could feel vibration anywhere, and its not coming from the CV joint, but I could feel it through the lower control arm (I think that's what its called?), and I think maybe through the tie rod. I'm afraid I'm not too confident with my identification of various suspension parts - I hope I put in the right names here.

Tomorrow I'll take a picture or two and point out what I know about whats going on. Let me know any questions you've got, and I'll try to help narrow things down to figure this all out. Thanks so much to everyone that can help - I really do appreciate it.

[Turpro]

First problem. Start off by checking all your bushings in the rear. Also check your jack and make sure that's secured. Take a good look at your struts. If there's and type of fluid coming out that could be your problem. How old are the struts?

2nd problem. Your strut bearings might be on there way out.

I might be wrong on all counts but its a good place to start lookin. Good luck

[Jho]

So now that I've had the car a little while now, there's a few things I need to take care of. I tried searching around for similar issues, but I wasn't quite sure what to search for, outside of "clunk" or "noise" or something like that.

First thing, there's a clunk that I hear coming from the rear of the car occasionally, over larger bumps - seems to happen more during more intense suspension compression. It doesn't sound metallic like a loose exhaust pipe, more like something clunking around in the trunk. I thought maybe it was the spare, but I took it out and the noise didn't stop. I figure its got to be the suspension, but can't isolate it. Ideas?

The other thing just started happening (or maybe I just noticed) about 2 days ago. When I turn the steering wheel, there's a pretty loud squeaking noise - like rubber rubbing on metal type sound. I notice it also happens during suspension bound/rebound. Now, when I say it happens when I turn the wheel, I don't mean while driving around corners. It's while I'm physically moving the wheel one way or another, and its most noticable the slower I'm moving it. I stuck my head under the edge of the car while my friend moved the steering wheel back and forth, trying to see if I could tell where it was coming from. I touched a couple different parts, to see if I could feel vibration anywhere, and its not coming from the CV joint, but I could feel it through the lower control arm (I think that's what its called?), and I think maybe through the tie rod. I'm afraid I'm not too confident with my identification of various suspension parts - I hope I put in the right names here.

Tomorrow I'll take a picture or two and point out what I know about whats going on. Let me know any questions you've got, and I'll try to help narrow things down to figure this all out. Thanks so much to everyone that can help - I really do appreciate it.

It is very common for the rear springs to break on BG's. I'd check those out.

[zoomtictac]

Crap. I really hope its not broken springs - that would mean I have broken springs on BOTH of my Mazdas...

Oh, and sorry 'bout the lack of pictures, I've been spending the past few days moving to a new place.. I'm sure you guys uinderstand how that goes.

[zoomtictac]

First thing, there's a clunk that I hear coming from the rear of the car occasionally, over larger bumps - seems to happen more during more intense suspension compression. It doesn't sound metallic like a loose exhaust pipe, more like something clunking around in the trunk. I thought maybe it was the spare, but I took it out and the noise didn't stop. I figure its got to be the suspension, but can't isolate it. Ideas?

I kinda need to clarify something - I was thinking about this post today as I was driving around, and remembered that I had written it such that it would sound like it was a singular "clunk" from time to time. This is true, but not the whole truth. On smaller bumps and imperfections in the road, there's a quieter clunking that happens in bursts, like tap-tap-tap-tap-tap (but clunk-type noises, not taps). This is originally why I thought it was the spare tire, because I figured it wasn't sitting flat, and was "see-sawing" quickly back and forth, providing a rapid fire clunking.

Again, its hard to explain, but I hope I'm doing well enough for someone to understand. I think I might take my camera with me tomorrow and see if I can capture the noises on some video. I know I can capture the squeaking from the front, but the clunk may be trickier - not sure if its loud enough for the camera to capture without filtering it out into the background.

[progt91]

check the rear sway bar end links, those break often too

[zoomtictac]

check the rear sway bar end links, those break often too

Well, you win the turkey - one broken, the other has a cracked bushing(I would imagine the clunking is the bar tapping against the car). Since I had 3 different noises that I was unsure of, I took it to Sears to take advantage of their fantastic free inspection, and they handed me a shopping list of everything the car - excuse me, the car's suspension - needed.

Both lower ball joints were loose. All 4 struts are shot (and one in the rear "appears" to be leaking), in addition to having ripped dust boots, bent bearing plates and worn bumpers. The left CV shaft was shot (which I was expecting, due to the clicking I had heard) with both boots torn and practically dry. He said he thought he might have heard a little noise from the right CV shaft, but couldn't be sure. Badly needed an alignment. *sigh*

So I thought for a moment about which of those things I would NOT like to do in my apartment complex's parking lot, and decided to have them do the ball joints and the left CV shaft, and then do an alignment. I figured when I replaced the struts and sway bar pieces, I would look into upgrading at the same time, so I decided to hold off on that for a bit. On the way home, I didn't hear a peep from the right CV, so I'm assuming its alright - although I did notice my lifters ticking, and wonder if that's what he was hearing.

After seeing the bill for parts and labor, I got a harsh reminder of why I do my own car work... :suckie:

[Jho]

After seeing the bill for parts and labor, I got a harsh reminder of why I do my own car work... :suckie:

That is why I fix cars for a living.

As for struts, I recommend the popular choice, the ZX2 Tokico S/R's.

[92_2_fast]

The noise from the front; I would start be checking the power steering belt. If it is loose tightened it. If it isn't loose check the fluid level and the color.

[zoomtictac]

The noise from the front; I would start be checking the power steering belt. If it is loose tightened it. If it isn't loose check the fluid level and the color.

Thanks for the help, but the problem's already been solved. Check 2 posts above yours.