Clunking/Rubbing Sound (Extreme Temps)

[Junior]

If this isn't in the right forum, please move.

I only post this as a question since I'm not sure if I'm just noticing things because of the extreme cold or what but the last two days (and on past occasions) I've noticed a sound that sound like it's coming from the suspension on my 2012 speed 3.

First time I've noticed anything out of place since buying the car last May.

The sound is very similar to what tires sound like when making contact with the fenders (rubbing tires), except I'm running stock tires and stock suspension and I only seem to notice it when it's cold. Doesn't have to be extremely cold, but even zero degreed it's clear. Gets louder when going over bumps/potholes, so that's why I'm thinking suspension. Wondering if it's happening to anyone else.

My car has 25,000 km, and is completely factory. Nothing added or taken away.

Even after driving the car up to normal operating temps, the rubbing/clunking is still there when going over bumps/dips in the road, so I'm trying to figure out if I need to dig deeper or just let the temps warm up and re-investigate.

Any info would be great. Thanks

[mickey_g]

Its normal...as long as the clunking sound goes away after the car has warmed up

[optiklenz13]

Yup.. Mine sounds like it's going to break yesterday and this morning. Had the same issue with my genwon. I guess Mazda hasn't addressed it on the genpu..

[jwoods_24]

Same issue with my stock 2010 ms3. Unfortunately I think it's common, but it does seem to settle down once warmed up.

[Junior]

Alright so it's not a unique issue then.

Anyone know what the cause it/what is actually making noise?

[SomeGuy]

Mine does it too...a crunch noise like snow in the wheel wells at the front. They changed my FSB bushings this summer and I was hoping it would clear up the noise but it didn't correct it :( I'm guessing bushings on the lower control arms. Regardless it's something in the suspension (bushings/rubber) that contracts/gets hard when it's really cold and just makes an ugly noise. Only does it when it's below -15c or so and only on big rolling bumps were the suspension gets really compressed.

[Junior]

Mine does it too...a crunch noise like snow in the wheel wells at the front. They changed my FSB bushings this summer and I was hoping it would clear up the noise but it didn't correct it :( I'm guessing bushings on the lower control arms. Regardless it's something in the suspension (bushings/rubber) that contracts/gets hard when it's really cold and just makes an ugly noise. Only does it when it's below -15c or so and only on big rolling bumps were the suspension gets really compressed.

Awesome info. Thanks.

[Zotaga]

I had the same issue.. but after my rear shock mount blew and I replaced the mount and the shocks.. the noise went with it.

[mazdaspeeding]

Same issue here as OP. These cars absolutely hate the cold. Only drove my Speed one winter, the 1st and it hated every second of it. For a brand new car it's quite disappointing.

[miako]

No need for concern here OP, I've owned 3 Mazda vehicles, they have the same sound when it's extremely cold outside. Especially when you leave it overnight outside it, sounded like something is scraping hard in the wheel wells. Sometimes though, I do have snow build ups in the wheel wells where the tire will scrape the hard snow, but that will cause some minimal vibrations. It'll go away after a few kms.

[Junior]

Thanks for the input all around.

[CloudPump]

Same issue.

Goes away once warm. I'm not too concerned.

-Geoff

[Pacman]

2011 speed here and when colder than minus ten, it creaks on every bump.

It's the bushings I think.

[JeaneR]

been having this problem too, kind of scared me at first, didnt know wtf whats going on, got out a couple times to look around but did not notice anything out of the ordinary...

[komodo]

I posted the same issues in another thread that got locked. Cause I didn't find this one.
Well well. This is just crap. I can't believe everybody is complacent with this issue.
In no way should there be scraping/clunking noises when the temp. drops.
This is a poor design issue. I want to know what the actual root cause is.
If there is scraping/clunking. Then guess what something is moving when it shouldn't be.
I drive my car all year and don't want to be driving a car that sounds like a POS.
I've driven many cars over the years and this is not normal. Especially on a new car with low mileage.
I'm not impressed. And neither should anybody here.
Just because we are fans of the car doesn't mean we should sit back and accept a poor quality product.

[miako]

inb4someonesayssellthecar

seriously though, the suspension does have squeaking sounds when it's extremely cold out, I've got used to it. Does it mean it's a cheap car? maybe? I think I kinda got used to it after I knew nothing is broken and it just squeaks. It's all up to you on how you think about it. I mean it's like vibes, can't fix it.. get use to it.

or you can take some advices from ppl around here, change the bushing maybe? or just bring it back to the dealer and ask wtf is that sound?

[mikey32235]

its normal it happens in many cars. park it in the garage or just deal with it lol. cant wait for summer :D

[Zotaga]

Mazda works with Ford.. Enough said lol

[MazdaMike02]

Mazda works with Ford.. Enough said lol

Not anymore. Ford owns 2% now. Mitsutoyo is majority shareholder. POS rebadged Ford products are the Tribute and Bseries. Mazda 6 was also a Ford product and a gigantic POS until now. I speak from experience working on these vehicles.

There is a TSB that states a rubbing noise may come from the rear shocks 2010-2013 vehicles. This is caused by the bump stop rubbing and making noise on the rear shocks. If you want guys you can just yank the bump stop and cover down, lube up the shock shaft with silicone brake lube and put it back together. Thats all the TSB is.

[komodo]

Not anymore. Ford owns 2% now. Mitsutoyo is majority shareholder. POS rebadged Ford products are the Tribute and Bseries. Mazda 6 was also a Ford product and a gigantic POS until now. I speak from experience working on these vehicles.

There is a TSB that states a rubbing noise may come from the rear shocks 2010-2013 vehicles. This is caused by the bump stop rubbing and making noise on the rear shocks. If you want guys you can just yank the bump stop and cover down, lube up the shock shaft with silicone brake lube and put it back together. Thats all the TSB is.

^See that's useful information.
"It's normal" isn't right because it's not normal. I've driven many different vechicles from the cheapest to some of the most expensive and this isn't normal. People are in denial they don't want to accept that there is an issue with the car.

[Timotee]

My 2013 only has 3000 clicks on it and it went crazy clunking this morning. I knew it was due to the extreme temperature. Good to know that there is a TSB addressing this issue.

[Aitch]

Yeah I had a crunchy rubbing sound from the back today. Could definitely be the shocks.

[MazdaMike02]

Heres some more to help you guys out.

2010-2012 MAZDA3 - RATTLE NOISE FROM REAR STABILIZER
Caused by endlink securing nuts which need to be replaced and torqued.

2010-2013 MAZDA3 - SQUEAK OR KNOCK NOISE FROM REAR STABILIZER
This one states there is an updated part for the sway bar itself and it gets changed.

2010-2012 MAZDA3 WITH 17 INCH WHEELS - CREAK NOISE FROM REAR SHOCK
This is the one I was talking about, thats what it applies to.

Those are all the TSBS relating to the issues mentioned in this thread.

[SomeGuy]

Except mine comes from the front lol

[Bully Dog Racing]

Except mine comes from the front lol

Same here...front only.

[fywdyl]

^See that's useful information.
"It's normal" isn't right because it's not normal. I've driven many different vechicles from the cheapest to some of the most expensive and this isn't normal. People are in denial they don't want to accept that there is an issue with the car.

When ppl say it's "normal", they mean that this issue won't cause your car to swerve off the road all of a sudden or make the car drive any worse. Car still operates fine, it just makes a noise.

I hate it when ppl come on to these forums, don't get an answer that they expect and make a huge fuss about it. Just because it isn't what you expected, doesn't mean the answer is any less useful. If you don't like what someone else tells you, go do something about it yourself.

[Aitch]

When ppl say it's "normal", they mean that this issue won't cause your car to swerve off the road all of a sudden or make the car drive any worse. Car still operates fine, it just makes a noise.

I hate it when ppl come on to these forums, don't get an answer that they expect and make a huge fuss about it. Just because it isn't what you expected, doesn't mean the answer is any less useful. If you don't like what someone else tells you, go do something about it yourself.

*like*

Sure I had a clunking sound yesterday. It was damn cold. The car still worked fine otherwise. After sitting in the garage overnight it no longer made that clunking sound.

When temperatures get this low, not everything works exactly as it would. I could go out and grease up the rear shocks and see if that made a difference. But it's too damn cold to bother about that.

[SomeGuy]

I've tried numerous things to get rid of the noises, they just come back...in the cold a bit of weirdness is to be expected. Most of the time it's just from rubber bushings shrinking and getting hard at low temps that cause the extra clunking/scraping/creaking/etc. Grease helps to some degree but there's a lot of bushings on these cars that aren't serviceable.

[CelestSpeed3]

The noise most are describing (creaking and groaning over bumps) comes from the front sway bar bushing. You can either grease them or replace with a universal bushing on the early gens. Gen2 is best to grease it as the sway bar and control arm share mounting hardware this was done on purpose to allow greasing of the bushing with just supporting the front of the car and removing the wheels. If the noise doesn't bother you just leave it.

[JackyMS3]

komodo you want useful information about shiets going wrong during extreme temps? let me tell you, your dick shrinks when it's -40C out. Does it mean your dick is no longer operational? no, you can still piss just like any others. Now, you may have issues having an erection. The useful information here is that your dick may or may not operate normally in extreme temp. But there is no need to tell your mother that you dick shrink and no longer have a normal erection. BECAUSE YOUR MOM, who has seen enough dicks, will tell you, "SON, that shit is NORMAL, and if you want to have a normal erection, just wait til it gets to operating temperature.

[geobur]

komodo you want useful information about shiets going wrong during extreme temps? let me tell you, your dick shrinks when it's -40C out. Does it mean your dick is no longer operational? no, you can still piss just like any others. Now, you may have issues having an erection. The useful information here is that your dick may or may not operate normally in extreme temp. But there is no need to tell your mother that you dick shrink and no longer have a normal erection. BECAUSE YOUR MOM, who has seen enough dicks, will tell you, "SON, that shit is NORMAL, and if you want to have a normal erection, just wait til it gets to operating temperature.

I just choked on my lunch...that was epic! :P

[komodo]

JackyMS3

You have wat too much time on your hands.
I feel sorry for you, if having an intelligent conversation is troubling for you.
I will explain anyways. Because you need help.

I like to know why somethings are the way they are. So if something is not working the way I expect it to I try to understand why. If somebody says it's normal but provides no information then that's not good enough. And raises doubt in my mind as to whether they know what they are talking about or just parroting what they heard on the internet.

Now I will explain "normal" to you also. Just because something maybe common to a certain model of car doesn't make it normal. Just means that issue is known to exist on the car. Doesn't negate that it is an issue. There are may reasons that the bushings or whatever is making the noise. Could come down to improper installation (quality issue). Wrong size/material (design/manufacture). Moisture could be getting into where it shouldn't. Or any combination of. Either way it isn't normal in the industry for a relatively new vechicle to be making these noises. Or even old vechicles in my experience.

You can convince yourself otherwise but you're just in denial.

May not be a safety issue but it is a problem. No machine is perfect.

[optiklenz13]

Hahaha..

[fywdyl]

JackyMS3

You have wat too much time on your hands.
I feel sorry for you, if having an intelligent conversation is troubling for you.
I will explain anyways. Because you need help.

I like to know why somethings are the way they are. So if something is not working the way I expect it to I try to understand why. If somebody says it's normal but provides no information then that's not good enough. And raises doubt in my mind as to whether they know what they are talking about or just parroting what they heard on the internet.

Now I will explain "normal" to you also. Just because something maybe common to a certain model of car doesn't make it normal. Just means that issue is known to exist on the car. Doesn't negate that it is an issue. There are may reasons that the bushings or whatever is making the noise. Could come down to improper installation (quality issue). Wrong size/material (design/manufacture). Moisture could be getting into where it shouldn't. Or any combination of. Either way it isn't normal in the industry for a relatively new vechicle to be making these noises. Or even old vechicles in my experience.

You can convince yourself otherwise but you're just in denial.

May not be a safety issue but it is a problem. No machine is perfect.

Buys a 250+ hp sports wagon for under $30,000. Complains about quality.

[Aitch]

Oh the lulz.

[geobur]

JackyMS3

You have wat too much time on your hands.
I feel sorry for you, if having an intelligent conversation is troubling for you.
I will explain anyways. Because you need help.

I like to know why somethings are the way they are. So if something is not working the way I expect it to I try to understand why. If somebody says it's normal but provides no information then that's not good enough. And raises doubt in my mind as to whether they know what they are talking about or just parroting what they heard on the internet.

Now I will explain "normal" to you also. Just because something maybe common to a certain model of car doesn't make it normal. Just means that issue is known to exist on the car. Doesn't negate that it is an issue. There are may reasons that the bushings or whatever is making the noise. Could come down to improper installation (quality issue). Wrong size/material (design/manufacture). Moisture could be getting into where it shouldn't. Or any combination of. Either way it isn't normal in the industry for a relatively new vechicle to be making these noises. Or even old vechicles in my experience.

You can convince yourself otherwise but you're just in denial.

May not be a safety issue but it is a problem. No machine is perfect.

If it was a big issue I am sure Mazda would have corrected it. That is what people are saying...just because it doesn't happen on other vehicles doesn't mean the same circumstances aren't happening, just might mean the are not happening exactly the same to make a noise. Say for instance moisture is getting in there, maybe moisture gets in there on other vehicles but doesn't make a sound...is the moisture still there? Yes is it making a difference? no

[Ghost1]

First time I heard the sound. I was freaking out but then I realized it was -30 outside.

[JackyMS3]

JackyMS3

You have wat too much time on your hands.
I feel sorry for you, if having an intelligent conversation is troubling for you.
I will explain anyways. Because you need help.

I like to know why somethings are the way they are. So if something is not working the way I expect it to I try to understand why. If somebody says it's normal but provides no information then that's not good enough. And raises doubt in my mind as to whether they know what they are talking about or just parroting what they heard on the internet.

Now I will explain "normal" to you also. Just because something maybe common to a certain model of car doesn't make it normal. Just means that issue is known to exist on the car. Doesn't negate that it is an issue. There are may reasons that the bushings or whatever is making the noise. Could come down to improper installation (quality issue). Wrong size/material (design/manufacture). Moisture could be getting into where it shouldn't. Or any combination of. Either way it isn't normal in the industry for a relatively new vechicle to be making these noises. Or even old vechicles in my experience.

You can convince yourself otherwise but you're just in denial.

May not be a safety issue but it is a problem. No machine is perfect.

In fact I really do have too much time on my hands because I actually thought of something that may happen to everyone here, well except for the ladies. Anyhow, I understand what you mean by "normal" trust me my dick shrink too, and it does freak me out sometimes, especially when the sac is so close to my body I thought them balls were invisible. You always say it's not normal for the car to do this and that.. have you ever question yourself, is the weather even normal? My friend's brand new truck wouldn't start 2 weeks ago, he wouldn't tow the truck to Ford and say Bro, my eco boost is fack, wouldn't start and that's not normal. Well, for fack sakes, it's -40 outside, what you should do is tow this piece of shit back home and let it thaw, try again in a day or 2. Fact is, the car was made properly. The squeaking noise is only for the pussies to complain, I mean the real pussies that continue to complain after everyone told him it's facking NORMAL to squeak at -40 temps. No safety concerns cuz trust me if there is any safety concerns, we would have all died. Allow me to address your concerns here. Improper Installation? X. Quality Issue? X. Wrong Size? X. Wrong Material? X. Wrong Design? X. Wrong Manufacture? X. Moisture? X. Combination the above? X.

I don't know what old vehicle you drive, my old accord that my wife drives wouldn't even start, and the cabin is so noisy, EVEN on a NORMAL day, it's FACKED. Next think you are going to complain is.. What is the car using more fuel? Why is there sound coming out from the dashboard when cold? Why is my car rusting? and Bro, it's a piece of shit Mazdaspeed that we are driving.. sell the bitch and by a 435. Oh wait.. you can't cuz with the price of 435 you can by 2 pieces of mazdaspeed 3 shits and still have 10 grand left.

[Jackal]

Epic posts!

[komodo]

By JackyMS3 logic just because a whole bunch of people said "X",it becomes unquestionable. Doesn't matter if it was explained. Just accept it. Be a sheep like JackyMS3 or else you're a *****. I guess ignorance is bliss for you.
Such a internet tough guy you are.

In the end the wolf doesn't care what the sheep thiks of him.

[r4mi5awi]

The forum has spoken! SILENCE!!!

[geobur]

2 things...firstly LOL
secondly LOL!

that is all

[fywdyl]

By JackyMS3 logic just because a whole bunch of people said "X",it becomes unquestionable. Doesn't matter if it was explained. Just accept it. Be a sheep like JackyMS3 or else you're a *****. I guess ignorance is bliss for you.
Such a internet tough guy you are.

In the end the wolf doesn't care what the sheep thiks of him.

komodo

Majority of the ppl here have found that it's not worth the time/money/effort to resolve this issue. That's all. They are not giving in or accepting defeat or whatever.

I'm sure you understand that this is a free forum and unfortunately, this is the best answer we've been able to come up with and have settled for. If you ask us anything else (e.g. how to do a MAF cal with an AP), there will be plenty of guys on here that can explain that to you.

If you decide to invest more time to discover a fix this issue, please come back and share it, because I'm sure that 99% of the ppl that "don't care" would get this fixed right away, but as of right now, things have been tried (greasing the bushings etc) but still hasn't produce the desired results.

[SomeGuy]

I've already tried to get mine fixed, even mazda has looked at it. Front sway bar bushings were replaced this past fall, it's no better this winter. I might try replacing my front endlinks at some point to see if it has an effect. Mine is front end, not rear end noises.

Long and short, it's a crap shoot as to whether greasing or replacing certain suspension components will fix it or not. So as said a dozen times already, it's not really worth trying to resolve it as it only affects the car a few days a year and you'll probably never actually fix it and it doesn't actually hurt the car in a significant way.

[miako]

I've already tried to get mine fixed, even mazda has looked at it. Front sway bar bushings were replaced this past fall, it's no better this winter. I might try replacing my front endlinks at some point to see if it has an effect. Mine is front end, not rear end noises.

Long and short, it's a crap shoot as to whether greasing or replacing certain suspension components will fix it or not. So as said a dozen times already, it's not really worth trying to resolve it as it only affects the car a few days a year and you'll probably never actually fix it and it doesn't actually hurt the car in a significant way.

Well so did I, i brought my old genwon back to the dealership, changed it greased it, the sound came back. I sold the car bought the genpu, the sound still persisted. We are trying to save ppls time by saying its normal. I mean Jackyms3 pretty much nailed it in explaining that its a well known issue. You can bring it back to the dealership complaining to mazda canada or whatnot, the sound will still come back. If anyone wants to look into this clunking noise, i mean go right ahead.

Btw, jackyms3 is a joker man, gotta love it. I almost choked myself.

[MazdaMike02]

Back to the noise issue..There is another TSB for the top trans mount, the rubber rips apart and this causes a clunking noise.
Also the front sway bar bushings arent very good either, they squeak and can clunk if worn enough.
A clunking noise while turning is most likely strut bearings, as when the bearing seizes the top of the spring can't turn, the spring is forced to twist and pops back and forth, this causes a clunking noise. Anyone who has owned a Chevy Cavalier knows exactly what i'm talking about lol.
There is also another one for the noise only coming from the right side, and this one calls for a subframe bushing to be replaced.

I've listed all the TSBs for clunking noise from the front. It can also be a worn out CV shaft (inner joint) this can cause a clunking noise, when going over bumps or turning a certain way. Thats everything I can think of, and everything I've encountered. I've never had a Mazda3 for a weird noise I couldn't diagnose.

[png]

I've got some clunking on my speed3 going over small bumps / squeeking in the winter. Based on my research i'm pretty sure its my sway bar bushings too. I'm going to be replacing my front and rear bushings with oem and use anti-seize as a lubricant. Probably wrapping the swaybar with teflon tape as well. The install is a total pain in the ass so I'm going to try to do it right the first time and hopefully it will last long.

Here's the part numbers if anyone needs it:
B37F-34-156B (speed3 front sway bar bushing)
B34S-28-156A (speed3 rear sway bar bushing)

I'll post an update once I've had them installed.