Clicking Metal on Metal sound when turning left.

[goodcase]

I lowered my car about two weeks ago and ever since I've had a Clicking metal on metal sound coming from the front left wheel area when turning hard left. I looked under the car and noticed a grease splatter around the Inner CV joint so I figured that's what it was. I took it to the dealer and had it replaced but it's still making that sound. It seems to be only when the front left suspension is not compressed as it doesn't do it while I'm turning right. Any thoughts on what this could be? I've checked all of the bolts and they seem tight. I'm confused as to what it could be.

[Zuluwun]

Sounds like the strut bearing to me.

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?66833-Wore-out-bearings

[goodcase]

I've taken a couple of videos. It does seem like a strut bearing, but maybe these will help diagnose it better:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZW9ajr9ZRc


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTrnbZHpj_w

I do suffer from VVS

[Shinglez]

That sounds nasty...but that was my guess as well

[silverstarmazda]

sounds like the cv joint is going out too if it keeps repeating like that while u drive

[goodcase]

sounds like the cv joint is going out too if it keeps repeating like that while u drive

I just had it replaced.

[silverstarmazda]

I just had it replaced.

did the noise start right after you got it replaced?

[goodcase]

did the noise start right after you got it replaced?

No, it was doing it after I got it lowered, I replaced it because I thought it was causing the noise.

[michaelm]

hmm...sounds like my buddy's 3 when he got his lowering springs installed. He brought it to a different shop that took out his springs and shocks and reinstalled them. The Clunking on turns went away. Could be a botched install.

[Wes08M3]

Just to clarify, they did in fact replace the entire CV shaft, not just the CV boot, right?

Because if they just replaced the boot, that would solve the grease splattering issue, but not the clicking issue.

[Lumberjack]

In the first video are you pushing on the car so we can hear the clicking sound? I had a Sunfire that had a bad strut bearing and it would "boing" once as soon as I drove off and turned the wheel per trip usually. I was told not to worry about it really and it won't affect much. I drove it like that for 5-19 years until it died. IMO I don't think it would be a CV joint if you are simply pushing on the car like that but is is hard to tell when I am not there.

[Lumberjack]

I've lowered a rear wheel drive car with drop spindles up front and cut the springs in back 20 years ago. I have seen too many botched jobs on lowering since then as it has become very popular now. I am assuming that when you lowered the car that it changed the alignment of the strut since it is a FWD car. Could this have caused the strut bearing to click? Also, did you cut the springs and reused them? If so could this be the cause of the clicking? Since it appears that the clicking sound happened only after you lowered the car it is probably because of that. If it was a CV joint I think it would be making a bigger noise that just "clicking" when turning and I don't think it would "click" as easily when stopped. I would look at suspension and rule that out first. Perhaps when turning you are simply shifting the weight of the car to cause the "clicking" and it not actually part of the drive train?

[goodcase]

hmm...sounds like my buddy's 3 when he got his lowering springs installed. He brought it to a different shop that took out his springs and shocks and reinstalled them. The Clunking on turns went away. Could be a botched install.

I'm going to redo that strut, I might also just replace the strut bearing just to cover everything.


Just to clarify, they did in fact replace the entire CV shaft, not just the CV boot, right?
Because if they just replaced the boot, that would solve the grease splattering issue, but not the clicking issue.

The entire CV shaft was replaced.


In the first video are you pushing on the car so we can hear the clicking sound? I had a Sunfire that had a bad strut bearing and it would "boing" once as soon as I drove off and turned the wheel per trip usually. I was told not to worry about it really and it won't affect much. I drove it like that for 5-19 years until it died. IMO I don't think it would be a CV joint if you are simply pushing on the car like that but is is hard to tell when I am not there.

Ya, Im pushing down on the front end. If I turn the wheel when the car is not moving it doesn't make the sound, it only happens when the spring is under less tension.

[Lumberjack]

I don't think it is the CV and might be something related to the spring or strut bearing. Perhaps there is too much play in the spring when the wheel is turned and something is loose causing the clicking. Perhaps you could try putting a jack under the wheel and compress the suspension and see if that changes anything when making the "clicking" sound? Try it with the wheel turned different ways too.




Ya, Im pushing down on the front end. If I turn the wheel when the car is not moving it doesn't make the sound, it only happens when the spring is under less tension.

[goodcase]

I purchased the strut bearing today so tomorrow will be spent replacing it. Hopefully that rectifies my issue, I'll update once I've replaced it.

[goodcase]

Turns out its not the strut bearing. So now I'm at a loss as to what it could be.

Edit: Could it be a broken Transmission Mount?

[leecheefoto]

It might need have to do with the front swaybar / endlink. Mine has been doing that for a while until i kept tightening down the endlink jamnuts as mine were adjustable.

[goodcase]

It might need have to do with the front swaybar / endlink. Mine has been doing that for a while until i kept tightening down the endlink jamnuts as mine were adjustable.

The swaybar / endlink was my first guess, but I checked and tightened and nothing seems to be wrong with it. I think I'm just going to have to fold and take it to my mechanic, this noise is driving me insane.

[goodcase]

Well it's time for me to walk with my tail between my legs. It turns out that the clicking sound was coming from the strut bar mounting bracket. The bolt for the bar was lost in the engine bay when I lowered the car. I found it today when I was replacing my HID's and put the bar back on. The click is gone! I couldn't be more happy. :D