Suspension hell, any help appretiated

gsemex3 · Post by **gsemex3** » June 10th, 2005, 10:39 pm

Any news? Just wanna drive peacefully. Thanks.

mazdubber · Post by **mazdubber** » June 11th, 2005, 1:38 pm

You might have figured it out bye now but it is almost definitely the axle (CV) thats clunking. I know it sounds wierd but that is a VERY common symptom of a bad CV in these cars. The only way it can be a spring collapsing is if your using springs meant for an RS.

FYI, most lowering springs collapse partially under the weight of the car. My Eibachs have about the first 3 or 4 coils collapsed when sitting still. They ride beautifully and there is no clunking or any other noise. I think they even ride more comfortably than stock. But all four of my struts were blown when I changed them.

schuttie2002 · Post by **schuttie2002** » June 11th, 2005, 2:56 pm

I had my axles replaced and the clunking still continued which is why i suspect other things. If the noise does not go away though, I will have them replaced again under warranty i guess

schuttie2002 · Post by **schuttie2002** » June 11th, 2005, 3:02 pm

for those wondering, Ill be buying a tie rod end on sunday night and putting it in monday or tuesday soo ill post my results then. If i still have the clunking maybe it could be the axle...wish me luck

Nd4SpdSe · Post by **Nd4SpdSe** » June 12th, 2005, 6:56 pm

Whe I had clunking, it was stabalizer links or the axles. I used to check the links of pressing down on the corners quickly, they could do a slight clunk what way, and happened on any which way i turned when driving, but the axles only happens when turning a specific direction

mazdubber · Post by **mazdubber** » June 12th, 2005, 7:47 pm

If an axle is bad it can also have a clunk going over bumps in a straight line. It's kind of like the same felling as a bad end link. A loose kind of feeling.

ssmog · Post by **ssmog** » June 15th, 2005, 7:15 pm

I have the very same problem with my mx-3, with accelerations, left turns, left banks, when going over a hill/ crest in the road such as an intersection i have the noice and clunking, I can not feel it in the peddles or the steering wheel. I have replaced all w strusts, 4 springs, all 4 brake rotors, all 4 wheel bearings, link kits, tie rod ends, cv axels. motor mounts, ball joints, strut mounts, strut bearings and still it is there.....only thing I can think of now is the colid axel shaft bearing which bolts to the back of the block connecting to the cv axel at the dampener or possible the control arm bushings....any other suggestions would be awesome....

Thanks gang.

Mr.X · Post by **Mr.X** » June 17th, 2005, 2:38 pm

May or may not be the problem:
I too hear and feel that clunking. Took it to a shop and struts, linkage etc all checked out o.k. To my suprise, the mechanic pointed out that the exaust was the culprit. It would move too much during cornering and especially cornering over a rise, striking the underbody about midway. It really felt and sounded like it was upfront. It's a long shot but check it out.

ssmog: Like your sig! I work in a Psych. Hosp.

Mr.X

ssmog · Post by **ssmog** » June 18th, 2005, 10:57 am

Thanks for the tip Mr. X, I'll be sure to crawl underneith her and check the exhaust. I'll be pissed if that's all it is in my case, but at least there's one good thing about replacing everything, it was due for it all anyway, especially the cv axels and ball joints, with everything else....after 432k on her, i think is was time to stiffen her up. I just hate to imagine how much it would have cost me if I was not able to do all the repairs myself in my shop. I'm sure a mechanic would have seen quite a few mortgage payments under my car.

schuttie2002 · Post by **schuttie2002** » June 28th, 2005, 2:04 am

Well I replaced my tie rod end(which was a really easy job actually) and It didnt fix the clunking so im returning the axle so whenever I swap engines ill hope thatll fix it. If any of you guys resolved your problem let us know

gsemex3 · Post by **gsemex3** » October 6th, 2005, 11:27 pm

Hi folks, the clunking is now gone but replaced with the sqeak. Have replace the control arm bushings with SRD bushings. The feel is great but sqeaking at low speeds. I was told they were greased when installed. Will have them put lithium grease or silicone grease as recommended and keep you posted on results.

schuttie2002 · Post by **schuttie2002** » October 9th, 2005, 4:21 pm

Thanks for the update...I guess Ill be heading down that road too. I replaced the axle and it still hasnt gone away, so the bushings sound like a good plan

ssmog · Post by **ssmog** » October 9th, 2005, 9:25 pm

I haven't had a chance to do too much else with the car. Recently ive been working 80 hours a week, hell this week alone I ended up putting in 113 hours, somewhat illegal to do but it had to be done. The gov't. sure will like me next pay day.

Now I have the noise and clunking coming when I make right turns also along with a noise I noticed on Friday, hard to describe the noise, almost like a grinding after I left the highway doing 170 but it disapated when I applied the brakes....I am going to replace the control arm bushing regardless so if that helps anything great, if it doesn't, with the high milage I have on her, it's not going to hurt to tighten her up.

schuttie2002 · Post by **schuttie2002** » November 12th, 2005, 11:26 pm

UPDATE: Bushings made the clunking go away, check my other post on C.A. Bushings to get my reaction

illapino · Post by **illapino** » October 8th, 2006, 2:46 am

a shop just installed ground control coilovers into my GS running Tokico HP struts yesterday. Just now I notice a clunking only in the rear over minor bumps and up; nothing when turning around corners.

so this topic has identified one culprit being the exhaust. the topic has identified bushings as the solution though ... i've read a few topics where people complained of clunking after installing ground controls themselves, and i'll try to look those up after i post this message, but mine were installed by a motorsports specialist ... how could they go wrong if it is the coilovers?

MX-3.com

Suspension hell, any help appretiated

Suspension Problem

Clunking is gone, Now it's the squeak