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I've got a clunking sound over sharp bumps coming from the rear passenger side. I just changed my springs, struts, and top plates and it didn't go away.

I'm wondering if I made a mistake in the installation.

The retainer washer at the top - is it supposed to be dished inward (so that the lip presses against the top of the bushing) or outward? I can't tell from the manual diagram.

Is there supposed to be anything under the top plate, or does the strut just go right through the hole in the bushing?

I noticed also that the threads on the strut don't go far enough and the nut doesn't seat tightly against the retainer (in my case). I added another 1/2" washer under the nut and it's tight, but I still have the clunking.

Is there anything else that could be causing it? The wheel is tight and there's no play at all.

Well, there might be play, perhaps you're just not strong enough to noticeably reproduce it. Donno what else. My whole suspension is kinda clunky, and I've just learned to live with it.

Whisper wrote:Well, there might be play, perhaps you're just not strong enough to noticeably reproduce it. Donno what else. My whole suspension is kinda clunky, and I've just learned to live with it.

Well I'm 99% there's just not enough pressure on the bushing. I'm gonna try a nylon washer between the lockwasher and the retainer to see if that quiets it down.

The rest is perfect.. just that last spot.

Aight. Report back with the results when you do.

maybe take some pics too? my rear suspension makes a ton of noise... but it always has...

when you lower an mx-3 are you supposed to keep the bumpstops or remove them?

I think it depends on the springs. They usually come with instructions on what to do with bumpstops. Typically you have to trim them, not remove them.

I'd check the rear sway bar endlink. Mine was broke and vibrating

I have a clunking in the front end, drives me nuts. I was told to check the sway bar links with the car on the ground (checked mine on jacks). The mechanic said they can clunk too if there's play. Oh ya, welcome back.

My rear suspension was making clunking noises.... I could never reproduce it though, it seemed totally random. It wasn't cornering, it wasn't sharp or ...dull? bumps that made it do it.... wasn't speed or acceleration related...

It turns out it was my trailing arms. The bushings were so fubar that they were.. well baisically missing. replaced the whole unit (Only the bushing would work) and its quiet as ever... minus my hatch

stabilizer link is probably busted.

Ryan wrote:My rear suspension was making clunking noises.... I could never reproduce it though, it seemed totally random. It wasn't cornering, it wasn't sharp or ...dull? bumps that made it do it.... wasn't speed or acceleration related...

It turns out it was my trailing arms. The bushings were so fubar that they were.. well baisically missing. replaced the whole unit (Only the bushing would work) and its quiet as ever... minus my hatch

Hah. That's exactly what's happening. Thanks... I'll check it out!