HELP! Snap/Thunk sound from under my car, looks like something came loose

[Pyro]

So I was parking 5 minutes ago when i heard a sort of thunk/snap sound
looked under the car, and it looks like the plastic shield is falling out a little and i can see a rusty rod hanging out. anyone know what might have happened?

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/4748/img20110621173113.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/220/img20110621173113.jpg/)



i have MAP so i could bring it to the dealer tmrw morning, it looks ok to drive as long as i dont go over anything but i dont know where that rod came from lol
any help or advice would be appreciated!

[cwp_sedan]

MAP will probably not cover this unless it broke on its own, which I doubt it did. Are you sure you didn't scrape on anything because the metal support piece is hanging down. That metal rod is a support piece that is built into the splash shield to help give it support. This is what happened to mine when I ran over something that didn't clear underneath.



That splash shield ranges from $100+ depending on which dealer you get it from, unless you go to a wreckers.

[blackm3]

could of rusted out

[cwp_sedan]

could of rusted out

But that wouldn't, or at least shouldn't have caused it to fall down unless there are missing bolts that secure it to the car.

[KenYork]

But that wouldn't, or at least shouldn't have caused it to fall down unless there are missing bolts that secure it to the car.

Actually the splash shield naturally sags which the rusty metal beam would have held it up. Now since only one side of the beam is connected, it now hangs.

[Pyro]

I think it broke on its own, I never ran over anything to snap it off

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[Pyro]

Should be ok to drive though?

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[TheMAN]

get under there and tape the metal piece back on and try to prop it up as high as you can get drive to the dealership NOW
do not drive anywhere else if you want a chance of getting it warrantied... drive SLOW too

[cwp_sedan]

Actually the splash shield naturally sags which the rusty metal beam would have held it up. Now since only one side of the beam is connected, it now hangs.

True, if the metal isn't supporting it I guess it would sag/hang down like it is.

[Pyro]

going to go to avante today to see if they will be able to fix it under warrenty, if not then unless the repair cost is pretty cheap i'll be headed the street performance

any idea what a repair like this might cost me? i mean it looks like if they replace the support rode they should be able to fix it, i dont think it could actually be that expensive

[cwp_sedan]

going to go to avante today to see if they will be able to fix it under warrenty, if not then unless the repair cost is pretty cheap i'll be headed the street performance

any idea what a repair like this might cost me? i mean it looks like if they replace the support rode they should be able to fix it, i dont think it could actually be that expensive

You will probably have to replace the whole shield, but you won't know until you take it off. That will probably cost you around $120 (from Joe at MOT) plus install.

[JaYson]

i hate that shield, well no...i hate the bolts and clips that hold the shield up, its not a hard install to do yourself (little uncomfortable getting under the car (unless u have a lift) but..those damn bolts and clips always seize up and are impossible to get out!!!!

[TheMAN]

they made updated parts to fix the bolt problem

[JaYson]

when did they do that!? what are the update? galvanized?

i ought the clips/bolts maybe 2 years ago? i havnt had to deal with it since...but still..!

[Pyro]

update: so I went to the dealer for about an hour and they came back out, told me MAP didn't cover it and wanted me to pay for the bolts to be replaced + labour. i bought the bolts, then headed the street performance. they put the car on the lift and said to me "they should have just fixed this for you". Ziptied the splash shield back into place and sent me on my way, without using the bolts or even charging me.

I'm going to have a buddy take a closer look to make sure everythings ok and maybe replace the bolts if needed (since i have them anyways now), but Street Performance just gained a new customer with that kind of service.
at least the splash shield wasn't broken completely.

[cwp_sedan]

update: so I went to the dealer for about an hour and they came back out, told me MAP didn't cover it and wanted me to pay for the bolts to be replaced + labour. i bought the bolts, then headed the street performance. they put the car on the lift and said to me "they should have just fixed this for you". Ziptied the splash shield back into place and sent me on my way, without using the bolts or even charging me.

I'm going to have a buddy take a closer look to make sure everythings ok and maybe replace the bolts if needed (since i have them anyways now), but Street Performance just gained a new customer with that kind of service.
at least the splash shield wasn't broken completely.

:thumbsup

Glad Jimmy took care of you. I figured it might not be covered but then again that could vary depending on the dealership. I wouldn't replace it unless you absolutely have to. It's not affecting all that much being broken if it can still be held in place.

[JaYson]

I remember when my bolts were all seized, and i was at a dealer for an oil change. they came out told me the bolts were seized and they recommend new bolts BUT! they "have to" charge me labor to put the cover back on with the new bolts.

to which i said...."really..you have to charge me ( i think it was) $50 labor to put the cover back on with new clips?...dont you have to put it back on anyways considering you just took it off for my oil change?"

dealer: "yes...we do have to put it back on...but if you want new clips we have to charge you labor"

me: " so if i say no to the new clips...you still have to put the cover back on with the old clips that are still good?"

dealer: "yes"


sooo....needless to say i didnt get them to install the clips for me. i just thought it was insane that they insisted on charging me even though the cover was already off for the oil change, and it would have saved them time using the new clips anyways instead of fighting to put the old clips on

[TheMAN]

it's clearly under warranty, but they some dealers want to milk you for labor because warranty doesn't pay much
http://www.protegefaq.net/tsb/09-012-07.html

[Pyro]

it's clearly under warranty, but they some dealers want to milk you for labor because warranty doesn't pay much
http://www.protegefaq.net/tsb/09-012-07.html
I have the MAP extended warranty left, not the 3 yr/80kms. Apparently quite a few less items are covered by MAP vs new car warranty, which i feel is pretty stupid since it is represnted as "similar to a new car warranty"
But i agree that dealers try to milk, in fact Mazda Canada as well want to deny warranty at every opportunity they can.
I called Mazda Canada and a rep tried to explain to me that the splash shield itself only carries a 1 year warranty, which is pretty absurd imo

Jayson - lol i'm not surprised they'd say something stupid like that....i also asked them to submit a claim for my rusty wipers under MAP (which may or may not get approved, different reps are telling me different things) and they wanted to charge me $60 for inspection even though i told them to skip the electrical work and just look at the rust.

as for the rusty wipers itself and MAP, thats a whole other issue that im having with both another dealer and also Mazda Canada. i'll wait for the outcome before saying anything though.

[Pyro]

it's clearly under warranty, but they some dealers want to milk you for labor because warranty doesn't pay much
http://www.protegefaq.net/tsb/09-012-07.html

LOL i wish you had posted this earlier
I was sold the OLD style of nut/clip being seperate, they didn't even sell me the new style

after i get all this warranty stuff cleared up, im not going to set foot in a dealership again now.....

[Shawn]

Just more dealer bullshit. My under-tray had the original nuts/clips. Always dealer serviced. Yet, when I went to spin on, guess what, never f$#% replaced and under-tray cracked from being pulled down.

TSB to replace nut/clip under warranty link (http://www.finishlineperformance.com/pdf/mazda3/bulletin/09-012-07-1747.pdf)

You have to like this part of the bulletin.
CONSUMER NOTICE: The information and instructions in this bulletin are intended for use by skilled technicians. Mazda technicians utilize the proper tools/
equipment and take training to correctly and safely maintain Mazda vehicles.

Now what was that an 8mm or a 10mm socket. Oh! Vise Grips. :complain
I wish I could say I was surprised.



LOL i wish you had posted this earlier
I was sold the OLD style of nut/clip being seperate, they didn't even sell me the new style

after i get all this warranty stuff cleared up, im not going to set foot in a dealership again now.....

[Elusivellama]

Good to hear Jimmy took care of you. Buy him a coffee next time... extra large dd Timmy's, just down the street from his shop.