Warning to all Mazda owners

[lukel90]

As many of you know i drive a lot..58k in a year. well i recently took my car to the dealership to get this wierd noise fixed from the left side of my suspension. ive never had problems with my car at all, until recently where i had enough so i took the car into the dealership. I was talking to one the technicians there and apparently more and more people are bringing their cars in for the same thing. Wheel bearings are wearing out prematurely, which was causing this wierd noise from under my car. The sound sort of sounds like worn out tires when your on the highway. I also get a lot of vibration form my brakes when i gently touch them on the highway, whenever i do that my entire steering wheel shakes.

the technician is replacing my wheel bearing on the drivers side and inspecting the one on the passenger side, im also getting new rotors since they were just serviced and machined at the 48k service and the problem is persisting. so im gonna end up with new rotors and new wheel bearing after jsut over a year of driving.

Mazda better get a grip on producing cars with parts that last a little longer then a year. Im pretty happy now since my car is back to normal. Just thought id share.

If you have a strange sound coming from under your car. dont hesitate to make a appointment. And dont let them trick you by trying to tell you its your tires. this is my second time for this problem and the first time they told me it was my high performance tires...now i came prepared. the tech a mazda tried this its your tires bullshit again. so i happened to bring a set of OEM rubber with me and told them to switch the tires and if its the tires id pay for their time and the charge of the switch. they agreed, and i was right. i wrote a letter to mazda canada basically bitching about how pissed off i was when the dealership knew there was a problem with the car and did nothing to try to fix it.....

the point here is DONT TAKE ANY BULLSHIT FROM THE DEALERSHIP, your the ones that drive your car every day not the technicians, so when a creepy sound appears you know something is wrong.

just thought id share my experience

[majic]

Thanks for the heads up.. i wonder if it affects 05s as well (time will tell)

[Fuman]

thanks for the heads up

[Optimzer]

mind posting which dealership this was? how difficult was it to get them to finally change the bearings?

[TheProfessor]

Yeah, I\'d like to know which dealership this was.

[FLIPDADY]

It wasn\'t us.

[civiclad]

Thanks for the update.
I have the exact problem with my car (23K), started hearing the noise about 3 weeks ago and figured it was my left front tire not properly inflated. Moreover, every time I go over a speed bump I can hear a squeak coming from the left front tire area, Checked the tire pressure and it was 32psi as suggested by Mazda.

I will be calling my dealership (Airport Mazda about this problem)

[lukel90]

sorry this was done at burlington mazda. It took some talking for them to finally realize that this is a problem. its a little funny, my cousin has the same car, we had to take his tires and rims off so we can take it to the dealership to prove to them that its not the tires. his car was jacked up on 4 stands, it looked kind of funny. its good to know a guy that still has OEM equipment on his ride.

[ZOOM ON 3]

That\'s premature wear for the bearings, but for the brakes...that seems pretty good...for OEM...
When I had my Focus, I had to get new brakes at 38 000 km...so 58000 seems pretty good

[Zaku_4]

hellooo,
well i had the wheel shaking problemw hen braking on the highway, it was my rotors, got them replaced a while ago. and again i have the same problem now, at 35+k the wheel shakes wen i hit the brakes. grrrrrrrr =/

[lukel90]

from my understanding rotors should last a little longer then 58k. I understand pads, but rotors should last a lot longer. there is definately something wrong with the mazda3 brakes and mazda canada needs to figure it out. ragardless, i still love my car..lol

[Flagrum_3]

Originally posted by lukel90


from my understanding rotors should last a little longer then 58k. I understand pads, but rotors should last a lot longer. there is definately something wrong with the mazda3 brakes and mazda canada needs to figure it out. ragardless, i still love my car..lol

Well if your bearing was shot that could explain the rotor warping again. Its too bad you did\'nt notice it before your service when they turned your rotors.Anyways if they have to put new rotors in (that would depend on how much material they left on after turning and how bad the warp is) make sure the dealer follows the instructions on preconditioning the rotors before there installed.This preconditioning is mentioned in one of the Mazda TSBs, which if I knew how to link it to here I would, but I\'am a moron at this stuff. Maybe someone else can place a link here?



-3


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[Crofty]

I have the exact problem!

The tech was pushing and pushing that it's a tire problem. But the tires are passing the safety test so they won't even bother doing anything.

I went to a private mechanic / when he drove it he said...could be the tires...changed he's mind and pointed to wheel barrel after the car was lifted.

Of course it's a knows fact that the tech's know about it...but as long they can get away with the "bad tires"... It's a win for them...oh yes my warranty expired after 5 days. So no point going back there...fighting with the wind-mills it's will mean only one lost day at work and maybe punching a tech that chews gum when talks to me. :flaming

[mazdathree]

wow...I need to keep an eye on this! Thanks for the heads up.

[Coaster]

FYI to those of you suffering from vibrations when braking at highway speeds. I too had severe vibrations in the brake pedal & steering wheel whenever I had to brake heavily on the highway. I also thought the rotors must be warped. But when I checked the run out of the rotors it was basically zero. However I noticed that the brake pads were worn at an angle but still had a lot of friction material left. I left the rotors as is & put in a new set of Hawk pads. Vibration GONE. That was at 120K & I'm now past 150K with no trace of vibration from the original rotors.

What I think is happening is the mechanics are telling you the rotors are warped, replacing them & the pads. Bingo, the vibration disappears, you're happy & the mechanic is happier.

Next time ask him to measure the run out of the rotors before replacing them.

[mungomoggy]

What I think is happening is the mechanics are telling you the rotors are warped, replacing them & the pads. Bingo, the vibration disappears, you're happy & the mechanic is happier.

Next time ask him to measure the run out of the rotors before replacing them.

Now you really have me wondering what to do.

With only 8100km on my Mazda3 Sport I have just been told that the rotors were warped. I have taken it in for it's 12 month check and Probart Mazda has just called to say that the work is done and they "ground the rotors all round" as there was something noted on the road test. This was done on warantee.

What should I be asking and what should I be looking for.

I am a real newby to the auto maintenance stuff.

Thanks

Susan

[froggy]

A lot of these same symptoms caused by many different problems. Even new brakes can warp if they are getting warm by having braked a lot and hard and then you drive through a puddle and they get wet. The cold water hitting hot metal can do that. From my understanding slotted and vented roters because they dissapate the heat faster are more resistant to this. The uneven break pad wear is a funny one it could mean that you have a sticky slider in your caliper. The reason a lot of the mechs will point to tires is that was one of the symptoms of the firestone tires that was blowing up a few years ago, and because of the mark up on the rubber. Just make sure that they explore all the options before you start spending the money to get things fixed, check the tires, check the rotors and check the bearings usually done with a stethescope type instrument on the housing.

[Videcak]

Now you really have me wondering what to do.

With only 8100km on my Mazda3 Sport I have just been told that the rotors were warped. I have taken it in for it's 12 month check and Probart Mazda has just called to say that the work is done and they "ground the rotors all round" as there was something noted on the road test. This was done on warantee.

What should I be asking and what should I be looking for.

I am a real newby to the auto maintenance stuff.

Thanks

Susan

You live in London Susan? Go to www.mazda3london.com

[wikdslo]

Now you really have me wondering what to do.

With only 8100km on my Mazda3 Sport I have just been told that the rotors were warped. I have taken it in for it's 12 month check and Probart Mazda has just called to say that the work is done and they "ground the rotors all round" as there was something noted on the road test. This was done on warantee.

What should I be asking and what should I be looking for.

I am a real newby to the auto maintenance stuff.

Thanks

Susan

The problem with their fix for ths is that:
A)When rotors warp, brake pads tend to do the same.
B) Being that they had to turn the rotors, they shave a layer off of both sides. You now have less metal left on your rotors.

You will likely have to replace the pads/rotors sooner than their normal service interval as a result.

Not much you can do, but you can complain to the dealership with these facts as you're not going to get the proper life out of them.

Also, you may want to try braking sooner/softer if you dont already.

Hard braking = lots of heat = warping.

[mungomoggy]

The problem with their fix for ths is that:
A)When rotors warp, brake pads tend to do the same.
B) Being that they had to turn the rotors, they shave a layer off of both sides. You now have less metal left on your rotors.

You will likely have to replace the pads/rotors sooner than their normal service interval as a result.

Not much you can do, but you can complain to the dealership with these facts as you're not going to get the proper life out of them.

Also, you may want to try braking sooner/softer if you dont already.

Hard braking = lots of heat = warping.

thanks for the input.

I drive a standard and my current car has mainly been used for city driving.

The only time I brake hard is in an emergency and that has not happened in the year I have had this car.

I have driven a standard ... not Mazda ... for years and have not been aware of this ever having happened on any of the cars I have driven previously.

I am not quite a "little old lady driver" but dern close. That is why I am really confused as to why this has happened.

Any other comments welcome ... thanks

Susan

[Flagrum_3]

thanks for the input.

I drive a standard and my current car has mainly been used for city driving.

The only time I brake hard is in an emergency and that has not happened in the year I have had this car.

I have driven a standard ... not Mazda ... for years and have not been aware of this ever having happened on any of the cars I have driven previously.

I am not quite a "little old lady driver" but dern close. That is why I am really confused as to why this has happened.

Any other comments welcome ... thanks

Susan

I'll add to what Wikdslo is saying in that if you were under 12 months or 20k, 20k being more important, they should have REPLACED your rotors and possibly the pads completely!!, not just turned the rotors as you were still under 'Full warranty'.They obviously went the cheap route and in the process shortened the life of your brakes considerably...you are now subceptible to early warping and brake failure, with rotors being shaved thinner.I would definately go back and complain to the service manager, as to why they did not replace everything with 'NEW PARTS'.It is not exceptable for rotors to warp in such short order, no matter what they say....Demand satisfaction.

_3

[mungomoggy]

I'll add to what Wikdslo is saying in that if you were under 12 months or 20k, 20k being more important, they should have REPLACED your rotors and possibly the pads completely!!, not just turned the rotors as you were still under 'Full warranty'.They obviously went the cheap route and in the process shortened the life of your brakes considerably...you are now subceptible to early warping and brake failure, with rotors being shaved thinner.I would definately go back and complain to the service manager, as to why they did not replace everything with 'NEW PARTS'.It is not exceptable for rotors to warp in such short order, no matter what they say....Demand satisfaction.

_3

Gottcha.

Well under 20k ... and this was at my 12 month service check.

I will sure as heck tell the service manager that I am not impressed.

any more comments appreciated thanks

Susan

[ng3]

I haven't seen a mention of what year the original car was, but...
I have an 04 with more than 200k on it and have never changed the front brakes (pads or rotors).

I did change the rear brakes because of the excessive brake dust, but that was all.

Now to be fair, I am getting a slight pulsation in the break pedal when slightly braking at 100-120, but that seems normal on 200k brakes...

[Slav4ik]

I haven't seen a mention of what year the original car was, but...
I have an 04 with more than 200k on it and have never changed the front brakes (pads or rotors).

Now to be fair, I am getting a slight pulsation in the break pedal when slightly braking at 100-120, but that seems normal on 200k brakes...

Do you evere stop on red lights/stop signs? :)

[Darkfrosty7]

wow dude... i just got my bearing and hub assembly done last week... for the EXACT same thing. and it cost me 800 to get it done?!!? arg that really pissed me off, seriously mazda should do something about this.

[mungomoggy]

I haven't seen a mention of what year the original car was, but...
I have an 04 with more than 200k on it and have never changed the front brakes (pads or rotors).

I did change the rear brakes because of the excessive brake dust, but that was all.

Now to be fair, I am getting a slight pulsation in the break pedal when slightly braking at 100-120, but that seems normal on 200k brakes...

My car is a new 2008 purchased in February of 2008 with about 8000 km on it when I took it in for service and was told the rotors were warped.

Susan

[mungomoggy]

Do you evere stop on red lights/stop signs? :)

severe stop ... no ...

I drive a standard and usually gear down when approaching stop lights and stop signs.

Susan

[Olestra]

severe stop ... no ...

I drive a standard and usually gear down when approaching stop lights and stop signs.

Susan

Hehe, his comment was directed to ng3 and he was being sarcastic. ;)

Susan, you were right to take the car in to get it fixed. This isn't an uncommon problem.
If it comes back, you have proof in your past service history that it wasn't the correct fix and you can use that as leverage to make sure they fix it properly the next time (whether it be replacing all four brakes and rotors or some other part).
I wouldn't worry about losing brake life from grinding your rotors down. It's true lifespan might have been reduced, but if you drive conservatively like you've mentioned, then it should be ok. Your brakes will still last long and your brake pads will probably be done before the rotors. When it comes time for new brakes just get new pads and rotors.

One more thing to think about. Did you change to winter tires/wheels?
Its possible someone might have torqued your lugnuts incorrectly.

[JordanAndrew]

thanks for the head's up, I'll keep an eye on my rotors and pads.

[mungomoggy]

One more thing to think about. Did you change to winter tires/wheels?
Its possible someone might have torqued your lugnuts incorrectly.

Yes I do change tires with the seasons ... winters are on now ...

This suggestion bothers me ... I know nothing about how to check this ...

assistance please.

Susan

[Aitch]

Well I found this thread very interesting as I have noticed increased "road noise" this winter. At first I thought it might just be my stock tires (after switching back from summer tires in November) but it has slowly become more noticeable, and it changes depending on the steering angle (even at low speeds). A quick inspection seems to indicate the brake pads are ok (at least the outer ones). I'm headed to Mazda of Toronto on Monday morning to have it checked out.

I'm @ 60,000km right now, just like the original poster.

[whiteomega]

Yes I do change tires with the seasons ... winters are on now ...

This suggestion bothers me ... I know nothing about how to check this ...

assistance please.

Susan

without a properly calibrated torque wrench it's pretty hard to check this. most mechanic shops should have one handy. i forget the exact specs, but i think it was 70-80 foot-pounds.

Edit: your forum name sounds like something out of "Cats" :)

[Flagrum_3]

Hehe, his comment was directed to ng3 and he was being sarcastic. ;)

Susan, you were right to take the car in to get it fixed. This isn't an uncommon problem.
If it comes back, you have proof in your past service history that it wasn't the correct fix and you can use that as leverage to make sure they fix it properly the next time (whether it be replacing all four brakes and rotors or some other part).
I wouldn't worry about losing brake life from grinding your rotors down. It's true lifespan might have been reduced, but if you drive conservatively like you've mentioned, then it should be ok. Your brakes will still last long and your brake pads will probably be done before the rotors. When it comes time for new brakes just get new pads and rotors.

One more thing to think about. Did you change to winter tires/wheels?
Its possible someone might have torqued your lugnuts incorrectly.

Explain the logic in waiting till the next time?!!

She took the vehicle in to the dealer, with the vehicle still under the 'Complete Brake Warranty Period' and they farked her!! Turned rotors will by far shorten the life of her brakes, doesn't matter how conservatively she drives, thats a fact jack!

The dealer should have replaced all effected parts with 'NEW' oem parts, not done a hack job and sent her on her way! ......the car has only 8K for shit's sake!!

I would be extremely upset if my dealer tried pulling a stunt like that on me and I would demand new parts, nothing less.


_3

[Flagrum_3]

Yes I do change tires with the seasons ... winters are on now ...

This suggestion bothers me ... I know nothing about how to check this ...

assistance please.

Susan

Susan you'd need a properly set torque wrench and the knowledge of how to check it properly, as whiteomega mentioned, but you can whenever your at the dealer and have the wheels off for any reason or during a change-over, ask that the technician torque your wheels...they are usually pretty obliging.


_3

[michaljerzy86]

As many of you know i drive a lot..58k in a year. well i recently took my car to the dealership to get this wierd noise fixed from the left side of my suspension. ive never had problems with my car at all, until recently where i had enough so i took the car into the dealership. I was talking to one the technicians there and apparently more and more people are bringing their cars in for the same thing. Wheel bearings are wearing out prematurely, which was causing this wierd noise from under my car. The sound sort of sounds like worn out tires when your on the highway. I also get a lot of vibration form my brakes when i gently touch them on the highway, whenever i do that my entire steering wheel shakes.

the technician is replacing my wheel bearing on the drivers side and inspecting the one on the passenger side, im also getting new rotors since they were just serviced and machined at the 48k service and the problem is persisting. so im gonna end up with new rotors and new wheel bearing after jsut over a year of driving.

Mazda better get a grip on producing cars with parts that last a little longer then a year. Im pretty happy now since my car is back to normal. Just thought id share.

If you have a strange sound coming from under your car. dont hesitate to make a appointment. And dont let them trick you by trying to tell you its your tires. this is my second time for this problem and the first time they told me it was my high performance tires...now i came prepared. the tech a mazda tried this its your tires bullshit again. so i happened to bring a set of OEM rubber with me and told them to switch the tires and if its the tires id pay for their time and the charge of the switch. they agreed, and i was right. i wrote a letter to mazda canada basically bitching about how pissed off i was when the dealership knew there was a problem with the car and did nothing to try to fix it.....

the point here is DONT TAKE ANY BULLSHIT FROM THE DEALERSHIP, your the ones that drive your car every day not the technicians, so when a creepy sound appears you know something is wrong.

just thought id share my experience

actually had the same problem in the last year of my lease
had an 05 gt sedan
same thing, same explanation

[omarlopez27]

ya i am starting to hear some noise and i am not sure if it is the wheels bearings sounds like it but also i like to comment that my mazda 3 has 40000 miles on it and at 26000i had to replace to tires it came on it and at 32000 i change my rotors and i ended up getting cross and drilled ones. and also dose it matter were u bought the car or do i have to take it to the place that i bought the car at

[ng3]

Do you evere stop on red lights/stop signs? :)

:) I do have a tendency to "forget" what red means j/k

Since mine is a GS with no ABS i get the pleasure of always being aware of braking distances...

I don't think it's nowhere near normal to have to change brakes at 8k but I also strongly believe that you never know what quality you get whether you get a brand new car or a very used one.

You can be lucky and not have brake problems (like me) but have other issues like tranny fluid leaking after taking it in to mazda 3 times for the same problem and them tell you
it's a major problem right after you're out of power train warranty (again like me)

At some point you just gotta say screw it and move on, but Not At 8000 Km, that's just wrong...