suspension squeek?

[gotak]

It is just cold? It sounded horrible today when going over bumps. So noisy that I checked under the car to see and everything looks ok. it is just cold from the -17 today?

[zmz3]

Sometimes I do get it as well. Its when I go over speed bumps, rather slowly, I hear it slightly.

Maybe other members can confirm. I drive an 07 GX.

[Donutz]

It's very likely your swaybar bushings.

[carbon3]

I have a 09 speed, creaks like crazy whens its really cold out.

[WeatherB]

It's a well known feature of the Speed 3 in cold weather.

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?50389-Creaks!!&p=709532

[VertigoM]

LOL... yup exact same issue here (see link to my post above).

I also thought there was something seriously wrong with my car like something had fallen off or come loose. I guess it's a normal "feature" of the car... oh well!!

[gotak]

Felt a lot stiffer today as well. Figure maybe the fluid in the shocks are just like me too cold to want to work LOL.

Another thing. I had my car outside for a couple hours tonight before driving it in -20 temps. The clutch fluid also seems to be affected by the cold. It felt different, slower and lighter.

[VertigoM]

I'm pretty sure the clutch feeling different in cold weather is normal (although I didnt notice it in my car but I was too busy worrying about the suspension noise thing).

Anyway, after today's incidents - I also got a nice stone chip on my windshield which was probably attributed to the cold temperature - I've decided that I'll be driving my Civic winter beater exclusively when temps drop below -10C. It seems that this car just wasnt made for Canadian winters :(

[Elusivellama]

Yeah, I had the same creaks and stuff from the back this morning when I drove out. Went away by the time I was close to work, just some cold suspension components working themselves out :)

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

Yeah, I had the same creaks and stuff from the back this morning when I drove out. Went away by the time I was close to work, just some cold suspension components working themselves out :)

+1. This is perfectly normal with all MS3's, old gen and new gen. No damage is being done to the car or suspension. Also, the bushing/suspension creaking is usually worse in newer MS3's. After a few winters you'll find that the creaking is less prevalent than it was when your car was new. Also, the creaking should go away, even at -20, once the car is fully warmed up and at operating temps. It will still feel a lot stiffer than usual though.

[WeatherB]

Yup the clutch is affected too. The pedal doesn't rebound as quickly, is harder to press, etc.

[Jon2000]

Before I upgraded my suspension, mine would creak when cold as well ...with the Hotchkis rear sway bar and upgraded bushings I haven't heard it make a sound - even when it was -20c. I think some of the noise I had was coming from the front struts - switching out to Bilsteins seems to have cured the random squeaks and crunches I used to hear

[Ex-Rolla]

Same issue.. Had the bushings replaced last year. Still happens when it's extremely cold out. It does go away after a bit of driving though.

[Jon2000]

Yup the clutch is affected too. The pedal doesn't rebound as quickly, is harder to press, etc.

yeah I thought it was weird when the clutch pedal was creeping back up like it was moving through molasses ..seems like more of an on/off switch too - very difficult to feather

[McGuyver_3]

Buy greaseable sway bar bushings and have them greased at every service.

[McGuyver_3]

yeah I thought it was weird when the clutch pedal was creeping back up like it was moving through molasses ..seems like more of an on/off switch too - very difficult to feather

yeah the clutch will do that in the super cold but 3 or 4 applications and it starts to move as it should. I miss parking in the garage

[abstrakt]

my ms3 made quite the creaking sound when i first got her, and for weeks i was trying to figure out where it was comming from and it was the driverside seatbelt buckle. where it bolts down to on the interior of the car, there is a wave washer that sits inbetween the buckle and the head of the bolt, everytime the buckle moved back and forth going over bumps in cold weather or warm weather. it was an easy fix just taek the bolt out and put the washer in some lubricant and lightly coat it with vaseline and you should be good.

[kmcg23_ms3]

I've had my bushings changed twice in the past couple years. It only fixes it in really cold temps short term (few months), it ALWAYS comes back again. :( I'm hoping some of these posts are right and they calm down after a couple years.

[Tokay444]

For me it's no big deal. I know there's no harm being done, and it goes away after 5-8 minutes of driving anyway, and really only happenes on the coldest of mornings. For those that it bugs more than me, get busingings with grese fittings next time.
What does bug me however are the damn clunking endlinks.

[fywdyl]

+1 to clunking endlinks, ha ha.

[horto]

+1 to clunking endlinks, ha ha.

+2, has been driving me nuts this winter

[Tokay444]

Has anyone found a fix that isn't aftermarket links?

[Fobio]

Has anyone found a fix that isn't aftermarket links?

Front endlinks GB:

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?50854-GI-LFQ-Powergrid-Adjustable-Front-Endlinks-for-04-09-MZ-MS3

Rear endlinks clunking could be loose nut/bolt holding sway bar to endlink...suspensison squeeks are signs of failing shocks for higher mileage cars...failure rate/speed varies greatly.

winter squeeks has a lot to do with cold weather and $35K OTD fit and finish. Mash the throttle and furgit'bout it...

[Tokay444]

Thank you. How are we doing on price for those?

[Fobio]

Thank you. How are we doing on price for those?

we need 8+ ppl for GB pricing + shipping discount.

[horto]

Front endlinks GB:
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?50854-GI-LFQ-Powergrid-Adjustable-Front-Endlinks-for-04-09-MZ-MS3


Nice, but OEM parts are a fraction of the cost. (And will probably fail again...)
Then again, the whole job to do with OEM parts at w/ dealer labour is about what these are worth. And endlinks are not covered by MAF warranty... so... hmmmmm... it might actually make sense for a cheap bastard like me. I wonder how much Jimmy would charge to install...
EDIT: Ok, I re-read your description and now understand that this is a lot more than just replacing the bushings! in which case makes it even more of a value then what I was quoted to stop my endlinks from clunking at my favourite dealership. (bushings + labour)



suspensison squeeks are signs of failing shocks for higher mileage cars...failure rate/speed varies greatly.


Already replaced my rears. Twice. Koni's have been ordered!!!


Mash the throttle and furgit'bout it...

And crank the volume up :)