Crazy suspension noises

[unnervingfalcon]

2008 MS3 with stock suspension. I usually park in a heated garage but every once and a while I have to park outside. When winter comes along and the temps are 15 below or more and I drive I get crazy loud suspension noises. It is a loud creaking (like creaky springs in a bed ... best way to describe it). If I drive for 15 min or so the noise will go away. What sucks about it is my dealer is 40 min away. Which means by the time I get there..... there aren't any noises... figures eh? It is so loud I think people hear it when I'm driving down the street. Oh and I'm pretty sure it is on all four corners.

Help me please lol I'm going nuts

[starscream]

Its normal.

Its the cold weather, it apparently does something to the bushings and once you drive a bit they go back to normal and hence not squeaking.

I mean you could try changing some of the bushings, but that may get costly and you may endup in the same position with suspension noises.

Dont worry, its normal from what I know.

[Mazda3X2]

I've been experiencing a lot of clunking this winter with mine. More so when it's fairly mild and wet. It sounds like it's coming from all 4 corners depending on the bumps in the road.

Clunk, bang....drives me crazy! Anyone experience anything similar? I was going to make an appt soon to see if they can find anything.

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

The suspension creaking over road imperfections and bumps when it is really cold out is normal for the MS3. All of the older gen do it and not sure if the new gen MS3's do as well. Would be curious to hear...

I was very concerned when the same thing started happening to my MS3 last winter. It is related to the bushings, but not sure why this happens exactly. I took the car to Street Performance and had Jimmy check the suspension. All checked out okay and to this day, I have not had any suspension issues other than this creaking in cold weather. My preference is not to replace the original bushings on the car unless there is actual deterioration. I can live with the noise for the 10 minutes or so that it happens until the car warms up. This said, I do plan on having Mazda look at it on my next service to see what they will say about it... To the best of my knowledge, there isn't a TSB out for this.

Barry, no clunking here other than what you'd expect with such a stiff and highly sprung suspension. Are you sure it is not worse because you are lowered, or that something has come loose with your lowering kit? In any case, you should probably get your car looked at for peace of mind...

[Scottobot]

This is typical of stock MS3's in cold weather. Oakville Mazda has told me they have figured out the root cause and are able to fix it under warranty if you still have one. I plan to take my car there during a cold snap and when it's convenient for them to work their magic.

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

This is typical of stock MS3's in cold weather. Oakville Mazda has told me they have figured out the root cause and are able to fix it under warranty if you still have one. I plan to take my car there during a cold snap and when it's convenient for them to work their magic.

Any details specifically on what is the problem and how it is addressed?

[MSMitch]

The creaking is annoyingly normal. I had some clunking - there were a couple of loose bolts on the rear suspension when I got my car - torqued them back up at Mazda and hasn't been a problem since. (look underneath car from behind, there are two white caps and bolts on either side of the suspension - easy to see if one of those is loose.
My NEXT clunking from the rear was due to a blown shock - had one replace (Right rear) - others have been fine since.

[spd frk]

Your creaking is just frozen bushings. My car lives outside and I get the same noise all the time. As the suspension moves and loosens them up over the first 15 minutes they return to normal and stop squeaking. It is nothing to worry about.

[Ex-Rolla]

I have the problem as well on my 2010 MS3... It's pretty bad actually. I never had the problem on my 05. I will bring it up on my next service. the bushings aren't greasable, so i'm not sure what can be done. Happens on the front and rear.

[WeatherB]

This is normal for the MS3 unfortunately, there were a few posts about this very issue last year during the winter. No solution other than the dealership greasing some stuff to band-aid the fix for a few days.

My parent's normal 3 which is parked outside doesn't have any problems with suspension crunches or creeking so this is definitely related to the MS3 only.

[unnervingfalcon]

This is typical of stock MS3's in cold weather. Oakville Mazda has told me they have figured out the root cause and are able to fix it under warranty if you still have one. I plan to take my car there during a cold snap and when it's convenient for them to work their magic.

Do you think you could find out how Oakville fixes it? Everyone here with MS3's would like to know.

[Scottobot]

Any details specifically on what is the problem and how it is addressed?


Do you think you could find out how Oakville fixes it? Everyone here with MS3's would like to know.

I've sent an email to Tiffany, Oakville's Superstar Service manager (TM). She explained it to me but I can't remember the details well enough to say for sure. I'll let you know when I hear back.

[unnervingfalcon]

I've sent an email to Tiffany, Oakville's Superstar Service manager (TM). She explained it to me but I can't remember the details well enough to say for sure. I'll let you know when I hear back.

Great thanks

[Scottobot]

Here's a quote from Tiffany re: Oakville's approach to the Speed3's cold weather suspension issue:

"Basically there are several specific areas in the Speed3 suspension that show signs of wear/shifting in extreme cold weather. While some of the noises have to be tolerated, (minor squeaks from hardened bushings) many can be eliminated all together. It really is a case by case situation though, and we use specialty tools such as chassis ears to determine the exact cause of noise if it isn’t an obvious fix.

Simply put, we are willing to go the extra mile to have noises corrected the first time, it just may take a little longer and you may have to eat more cookies in the lounge if you choose to wait."

She went on to encourage Speed3 owners to contact her directly via email at tiffany.garrett@oakvillemazda.com for further information or arrangements.

As previously mentioned, I'll be taking my car in sometime in the next few weeks and will be happy to report on how effectively it gets addressed. If anyone goes in before me, please do the same.

[MRT_MS3]

wow a delearship thats actually trying to fix this problem and encouraging customers to have it looked at. Thats just awesome. Im definitely letting tiff know about this on my next service.

[unnervingfalcon]

Here's a quote from Tiffany re: Oakville's approach to the Speed3's cold weather suspension issue:

"Basically there are several specific areas in the Speed3 suspension that show signs of wear/shifting in extreme cold weather. While some of the noises have to be tolerated, (minor squeaks from hardened bushings) many can be eliminated all together. It really is a case by case situation though, and we use specialty tools such as chassis ears to determine the exact cause of noise if it isn’t an obvious fix.

Simply put, we are willing to go the extra mile to have noises corrected the first time, it just may take a little longer and you may have to eat more cookies in the lounge if you choose to wait."

She went on to encourage Speed3 owners to contact her directly via email at tiffany.garrett@oakvillemazda.com for further information or arrangements.

As previously mentioned, I'll be taking my car in sometime in the next few weeks and will be happy to report on how effectively it gets addressed. If anyone goes in before me, please do the same.


Good dealership. Belleville is pretty good too.

[strakz]

I'm bringing my MS3 into Ajax mazda on Friday to have both front control arms and rear bushings replaced.

[joeboy]

These suspension noises in the cold seem to be a Mazda issue with the bushings. If you browse around the 3, MS3, 5... forums they all have the same threads. Noise would develop in -5º temps and get worse as the temps dropped. They would also disappear after 10-20mins of driving once things warmed up.

I had a M5 for 3 years and had the bushings replaced under warranty 3 times based on some TSB recommendations. The noise would disappear with the new bushings only to return the following winter season.

I just picked up my 2010 MS3 last week and it was -10º. Guess what - suspension noise!

You figure after so many issues of this, Mazda would have developed improved bushings. That's what I was hoping for.....

[Pornstar]

Yes, that's what I hoped for too... but it got worse on my MS3 2010. :bang

[uoftguy]

These suspension noises in the cold seem to be a Mazda issue with the bushings. If you browse around the 3, MS3, 5... forums they all have the same threads. Noise would develop in -5º temps and get worse as the temps dropped. They would also disappear after 10-20mins of driving once things warmed up.

I had a M5 for 3 years and had the bushings replaced under warranty 3 times based on some TSB recommendations. The noise would disappear with the new bushings only to return the following winter season.

I just picked up my 2010 MS3 last week and it was -10º. Guess what - suspension noise!

You figure after so many issues of this, Mazda would have developed improved bushings. That's what I was hoping for.....

Yup, this it unfortunately true...changing sway bar bushings does F/A. I had mine changed on my 07 speed3 late december and as soon as the cold weather came back last week, so did the noise. I have another appointment tomorrow to have it looked at again...i bet they will give me the run around...unfortunately my dealer is useless (not in ontario).

I know for a fact this is a known issue but they are trying to convince me that it is rare and they dont see it "often". Bet they will give the old "unable to duplicate noise" tomorrow...dicks.

I'm off warranty in about a months time...I may try some greaseable urethane bushings.

[Ex-Rolla]

Had all 4 bushings replaced. So far so good, but like joeboy said, it may end up coming back. we'll see how it goes.

[Pornstar]

You had all 4 bushing replaced on your 2010 Speed?

[Ex-Rolla]

You had all 4 bushing replaced on your 2010 Speed?

Yes.

I took my car in last friday. I drove the tech around for a few minutes and he heard the sounds coming from the suspension. At first they replaced the front two, assuming it was the front, but a subsequent drive still had the same issue. They then replaced the rears and now it's gone. Knowing this, it was the rear that was causing the problem, but I got 4 new ones anyway (assuming they didn't put the old ones back in).

I purposely made the appointment first thing in the morning because I know the sound from the bushings appear when it's cold out. I would recommend you do the same if you're having the same problem.

[Pornstar]

Yes I will do that for sure, It started maybe a week after I bought it. Its only been a month now that I own the car. The noise is even worst then on my 2007 speed.

Thanks for the advice, let us know if the noise come back later on.

[Ex-Rolla]

update.... -10 this morning and still no noise. I'm curious if they have used an updated part. Maybe Joe can chime in on that.

Regardless, so far so good :)

[WhiteSpeed3]

update.... -10 this morning and still no noise. I'm curious if they have used an updated part. Maybe Joe can chime in on that.

Regardless, so far so good :)

i dont think there is a part update but we did change all 4 on your car

[Ex-Rolla]

i dont think there is a part update but we did change all 4 on your car

cool... thanks for your help :)

[Pornstar]

They changed the rear one on my car today, the guy told me that they are the exact same part. They ordered the front ones, they are not sure if its an updated version for the front bushing, but still they are replacing it, hoping it will solve the problem.

[Fobio]

I get these noises now...I thought it was from the shit I had in the hatch...I cleaned everything out and it's still there...

please keep me updated on a fix!

[starscream]

It seems like its narrowed down to the rear, would getting a aftermarket RSB w/ some Regreaseable bushings work? Anyone try?

[Fobio]

loose RSB bushings is common on the MS3...I've dealt with it before and it's resolved...

this is soemthing else...it's like creaking bed springs.

[starscream]

...it's like creaking bed springs.

You know, it is a hatch...seats fold down... I know what youve been doing in your car ;) LOL

[Fobio]

LOL

btw...I've checked my rear suspension this past wknd...no leaks, all RSB bushings tight...

I hope there's an official Mazda fix...otherwise, I might be forced to get coil overs...lol...

[starscream]

I did find that once I got the car oil sprayed (rust protection) it wasnt as bad for a bit, then as the excess oil dripped away and what not, its back....hrm hrm... my MSP had the same issues