Weird cricket chirping noise, front suspension. Clunk in rear.

[starlaspeed3]

Hey guys, searched and searched but found nothing here about this.

Just recently, started having a loud clunking noise, rear passenger side when going over bumps, so I'm going to assume it's a suspension issue. Stock, never been touched on this '07 speed3 with 84k.

Last year, I was hearing this weird cricket chirping noise from my front suspension. I had most everything replaced up there (struts, bushings), both sides OEM. Now that the rear noise started a couple weeks ago, the front chirp has returned. Since it's still under warranty, taking it in tomorrow to have it re-checked.

Anyone experience anything along these lines or know anyone that has?

Thanks!

Note: just found this vid and the noise is fairly accurate for the front so I'm thinking this is it (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7aLrjNl9oU). No clue about the rear though!

[SomeGuy]

Check your rear sway bar....both endlinks and bushings.
Check that your struts aren't leaking fluid

[starlaspeed3]

Sweet, thanks.

I'll make sure they check that tomorrow.

[Cab0oze]

I have both same noises, 08.5 speed.

The front suspension noise is normal, its just the suspension doing its job afaik. I used to find it annoying (i thought something was breaking), now I actually kinda like it.

I also have a rear clunk, I have no idea where its coming from. I rode a long in the back once, and it SEEMED to be coming from the Drivers side suspension area but I checked my entire suspension but wasn't able to diagnose it. Couldn't be reproduced by jumping on the car or anything. A lot of people say check the endlinks, bushings, make sure all the bolts are nice n tight. Let me know what you find though because its so annnoying and i know that if i take it to a garage they will take 200 bucks and wont fix a damn thing.

[cwp_sedan]

I have both same noises, 08.5 speed.

The front suspension noise is normal, its just the suspension doing its job afaik. I used to find it annoying (i thought something was breaking), now I actually kinda like it.

I also have a rear clunk, I have no idea where its coming from. I rode a long in the back once, and it SEEMED to be coming from the Drivers side suspension area but I checked my entire suspension but wasn't able to diagnose it. Couldn't be reproduced by jumping on the car or anything. A lot of people say check the endlinks, bushings, make sure all the bolts are nice n tight. Let me know what you find though because its so annnoying and i know that if i take it to a garage they will take 200 bucks and wont fix a damn thing.

Here is a free test in regards to your clunk which will help rule out your bushings. Take some electrical tape and wrap it around the bar a couple of times where the bushings are and put the bushings on top of the tape. If the clunk goes away then you know it's the bushings. Mine did the exact same thing with the Speed3 rear sway/bushings after a couple of years. Had a clunk but couldn't tell what it was.

...or just replace the bushings since they are cheap and you can do it yourself.

My clunk happened over some bumps and entering/exiting driveways, etc with a lip from the curb.

[starlaspeed3]

Misery loves company... I do love the loud clunks and thunks the engine makes when driving this higher performance car in comparison to a any other car, but it does give me a warm fuzzy when I have reassurance that other people are experiencing the same issues - even if they are perfectly normal for the car.

When the rear noise started a couple weeks ago, I had my boyfriend jump in the back while I drove so he could confirm rear passenger - that's as narrow as I have it now aside from when it displays (over non-level ground). I quite honestly think something's loose cause it drove it on bumpy, gravel cottage road.

Update to come tomorrow.

[rzapata]

I have that same chirping noise in the front driver side strut. Had Jimmy check it out a long time ago. He spent a fair bit of time trying to figure out what it was (car on/off the hoist) but couldn't. Everything works well, no leaks, no unusual behavior. At first I thought it was my change bag that I placed in the driver door cup holder. Took that out and the chirp is still there. I gave up and just dealt with it.. :)

[fywdyl]

I have that same chirping noise in the front driver side strut. Had Jimmy check it out a long time ago. He spent a fair bit of time trying to figure out what it was (car on/off the hoist) but couldn't. Everything works well, no leaks, no unusual behavior. At first I thought it was my change bag that I placed in the driver door cup holder. Took that out and the chirp is still there. I gave up and just dealt with it.. :)

Oh yeah right?! I have the same thing... sounds like change jingling when I go over a bump (only sometimes). I learned to ignore it.

[rzapata]

Oh yeah right?! I have the same thing... sounds like change jingling when I go over a bump (only sometimes). I learned to ignore it.

Yeah, I actually just left the change bag there and whenever I hear it, I just say to myself, it's just the bag of coins. :chuckle

[Cab0oze]

Here is a free test in regards to your clunk which will help rule out your bushings. Take some electrical tape and wrap it around the bar a couple of times where the bushings are and put the bushings on top of the tape. If the clunk goes away then you know it's the bushings. Mine did the exact same thing with the Speed3 rear sway/bushings after a couple of years. Had a clunk but couldn't tell what it was.

...or just replace the bushings since they are cheap and you can do it yourself.

My clunk happened over some bumps and entering/exiting driveways, etc with a lip from the curb.
But the bushings look fine... I even took the bracket off to double check! What could possibly make them make that clunking noise?

But... thats the best lead I have, so maybe i'll try doing that today. That might also explain why the problem seemed to temporarily go away whenever I removed and replaced the bushing... Everything was good for like a week (or so I thought)

[cwp_sedan]

But the bushings look fine... I even took the bracket off to double check! What could possibly make them make that clunking noise?

But... thats the best lead I have, so maybe i'll try doing that today. That might also explain why the problem seemed to temporarily go away whenever I removed and replaced the bushing... Everything was good for like a week (or so I thought)

Mine looked okay too but a little dried out compared to the new ones. The new ones fixed the problem right away. they would have been about 4-5 years old.

[SomeGuy]

But the bushings look fine... I even took the bracket off to double check! What could possibly make them make that clunking noise?

But... thats the best lead I have, so maybe i'll try doing that today. That might also explain why the problem seemed to temporarily go away whenever I removed and replaced the bushing... Everything was good for like a week (or so I thought)

More grease!

[Cab0oze]

Thanks for the tip CWP sedan... I just got back in from putting elec tape on there and covered the bushings in synthetic brake grease. After taking it off the ramps, I just went out of my driveway (which normally makes a soft clunk) and I heard more noise from the front end than the back. Fingers crossed, but it may be fixed!!! (temporarily at least)

[starlaspeed3]

Thanks for the tip CWP sedan... I just got back in from putting elec tape on there and covered the bushings in synthetic brake grease. After taking it off the ramps, I just went out of my driveway (which normally makes a soft clunk) and I heard more noise from the front end than the back. Fingers crossed, but it may be fixed!!! (temporarily at least)

Looks like I'll be checking the bushings too... I hope that fix sticks for you!

[Wes08M3]

Thanks for the tip CWP sedan... I just got back in from putting elec tape on there and covered the bushings in synthetic brake grease. After taking it off the ramps, I just went out of my driveway (which normally makes a soft clunk) and I heard more noise from the front end than the back. Fingers crossed, but it may be fixed!!! (temporarily at least)

Synthetic brake lube seems to work very well for the RSB bushings. My Mazdaspeed Protege had squeaking/clunking RSB bushings (really common problem on MSP's) even after I bought new ones with the latest revision ($65 dollars for them!). I lubed them up with synthetic brake lube and never heard a sound again.

[Cab0oze]

Yeah, I think i'll leave it with my fix (tape + grease) as is, and if the sound comes back I'll order parts.

Could someone explain what exactly causes the bushings to make a clunk? I don't understand what is going on there, and why grease fixes anything.

I purposely drove down one of the worst montreal roads last night, sound is definitely gone. :)

[cwp_sedan]

Yeah, I think i'll leave it with my fix (tape + grease) as is, and if the sound comes back I'll order parts.

Could someone explain what exactly causes the bushings to make a clunk? I don't understand what is going on there, and why grease fixes anything.

I purposely drove down one of the worst montreal roads last night, sound is definitely gone. :)


Nice! Glad it helped.

I think it happens because over time the rubber dries out and contracts a bit leaving some play between the bushing and the bar. That's just my theory though.

[starlaspeed3]

Check your rear sway bar....both endlinks and bushings.
Check that your struts aren't leaking fluid

Rear shock passenger shock was leaking - busted. Got both rears at Budds - all is well in the world! No more clunk and definitely feels nice and tight again.

[kenghk]

i have the chirping, sounds like gas escaping to me. car feels great so it must be normal.