Low pitch squeak over bumps

[MakaveliX]

E-bmw said:

I don't think you are going to detect play as that is what your mechanic will have been looking for.

You are just looking to recreate the noise to find where it is coming from as I don't think you will see anything.

As I said you need the suspension to be loaded while you are under there to recreate the scenario you describe.

Ideally, you also need the handbrake off.

This is going to be quite difficult to do safely, so you need to make sure the car is going nowhere.

Ideally a set of 4 ramps to drop the car onto facing away from each other so that the car can't roll.

You may then also need to jack the individual wheel/suspension up/down to simulate the on-the-road scenario, it really isn't going to be easy, but above all, make sure the car is 100% safe to go under.

4 of these would do it.

Thanks but I would not feel comfy doing that.
I asked another Mazda driver elsewhere and they have the same thing ( noise over bumps, worse when cold ) and apparently their mechanic said it's the drop links.

I'll get the links done, if no luck I'll leave it.

[MakaveliX]

In regards to drop links.
I see some are greasable but most aren't.

Is it possible the grease has dried up inside my link ?, as I'd assume the temperature could affect this too.

[E-bmw]

I have never come across drop links that need to be greased.

[MakaveliX]

E-bmw said:

I have never come across drop links that need to be greased.

Some have " nipples " or attachments/ zerk fittings which allow you to grease them with a grease gun

Edited by MakaveliX on Wednesday 12th April 15:17

[E-bmw]

I never doubted their existence, just that I have never come across them.

[MakaveliX]

Are drop links stressed/used at all when going over level ( wide ) speed bumps, when both wheels lift up/go down at the same time ?

Just doing some reading and learning.
I have some decent drop links and hopefully it'll sort the noise when I get them installed.

My theory is that that because before buying the car, it had barely been driven. And the grease in the ball joint of the end link has dried up, hence why when its warm the noise is non existant

[E-bmw]

Drop links have tension/compression on them whenever there is more suspension one side over the other.

[MakaveliX]

E-bmw said:

Drop links have tension/compression on them whenever there is more suspension one side over the other.

Yea thought so. I tend to only hear it over level speed bumps when the front wheels hit it, and then when the rear wheels come down after driving over the speed bump. So when the front wheels hit a bump, I heard the noise at the rear ... So not entirely sure its the link..

I do however hear it if the front passenger or rear passenger wheels dip downwards onto a drain for example, or if the passenger side wheels hit a bump but the driver side doesn't.

Anyway I'll get them drop links installed when I get a chance, hopefully i can leave it for the summer as when it's warm the noises subside .

[E-bmw]

The issue with diagnosing drop links (as you have found & describe perfectly) is the car is basically rigid, so when one corner rises/drops due to suspension movement over an irregularity, in fact the whole car attitude changes, so all 4 corners move to some extent or other.

[MakaveliX]

Drop links replaced, noise still there.

Will get the anti-roll bar bushings done next

[cuprabob]

MakaveliX said:

Drop links replaced, noise still there.

Will get the anti-roll bar bushings done next

I appreciate it's annoying but you may just have to learn to live with it.

[MakaveliX]

cuprabob said:

I appreciate it's annoying but you may just have to learn to live with it.

Very valid point. I'll leave it all alone now until the MOT at the end of the year. Feel like a right plonker switching out all these parts to no avail. At least when the weather is warm the noise is next to silent so for now I can get some peace.

Thanks for the helpful information guys.

[MakaveliX]

Still no luck.
Car has been at Mazda for a service where they check everything ( full body inspection etc )
Also been at the local indy for a MOT - passed with no advisories

Getting into winter now when the noise returns.
I have read experiences of people with Mazdas with similar noises and they say the same as me, nothing looks odd, no noticeable play in anything regarding the suspension, or anything at all for that matter.

My hunch is that if the drop links, shocks, mounts have been replaced then it's obviously not them. Can't see any play in the anti-roll bar either, unfortunately changing the bushings on the roll bar is out the question as it involves removing the sub-frame etc just to replace the bushes. Can't see many mechanics willing to spend most the day replacing bushings on an anti-roll bar which has no play in it.

Therefore I think it is something to do with the subframe itself, as it does have bushings from what I gather, and therefore the cold weather makes it worse, could even be the exhaust but that is unlikely as there is no play in it, or any noise when shaking it about.


The other thing is, upon close inspection, the car has had some sort of suspension problem before I owned it, as one of the shocks, mount AND the welded in bolts for the rear had been changed on the driver side, this would never need to be done on a car with less than 20k miles unless something moderately serious had happened to it. Which could explain the odd noise over bumps.

Also, it is not so much a "squeak" but a one off mild clunky sort of noise.

Edited by MakaveliX on Thursday 5th October 18:15

[MakaveliX]

Anti roll bar bushings replaced today, noise still there.
Will go to an independent Mazda specialist and see if they can offer any help

[MakaveliX]

Noise sounds very similar to this ( but more high pitched ).. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hn95w0PPZDo&ab...
Clunks when the front wheels hit the bump, then clunks when the rear wheels come down off the bump. ( basically when the spring compresses )
( noise is always from the rear )

So far the top mounts, shocks, drop links AND anti-roll bar bushes have been done to no avail. That leaves the three control arms on the rear left, and coil spring itself. Unless it is something non suspension related, which is looking ever more likely

This morning it was the first icey frozen morning. At first it sounded like a crunching from the rear, which then as usual subsided as the day went on. Perhaps the rubber damper at the top of the rear springs, or even the subframe ?

I don't think there is "play" in anything as there are no rattles on bumpy roads whatsoever. neither me nor my mechanic found anything wrong or anything loose

Edited by MakaveliX on Sunday 26th November 18:18

[MakaveliX]

Finally managed to get a clip of the noise...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYVKXOs0-Us&ab...

All thats left are control arms, problem is there are three on either side of the axle and only one can be done without dropping the subframe.

I'm thinking control arm bushing is cracked

Edited by MakaveliX on Friday 1st December 17:59

Edited by MakaveliX on Friday 1st December 18:49

[Dave.]

You’re over thinking this, there is nothing wrong with your car.

Cars make noises, things are constantly moving around tiny amounts, all connected by rubber/metal/plastic.

You’re wasting your time and money chasing ghosts.

[MakaveliX]

Dave. said:

You’re over thinking this, there is nothing wrong with your car.

Cars make noises, things are constantly moving around tiny amounts, all connected by rubber/metal/plastic.

You’re wasting your time and money chasing ghosts.

I do appreciate that, it's just that it started after I hit a bump too fast. If it was always like that then I'd probably accept it as normal.

[Dave.]

It’s been a year since then, and how ever many miles.

It’s passed an MoT, it’s been serviced, it’s not been picked up during either, it’s not gotten worse in 12 months/ x miles…. It’s fine.

[MakaveliX]

Dave. said:

It’s been a year since then, and how ever many miles.

It’s passed an MoT, it’s been serviced, it’s not been picked up during either, it’s not gotten worse in 12 months/ x miles…. It’s fine.

I gather it is not important or imperative to safety at all.. It is just an annoyance that takes away from the driving experience of an otherwise excellent car.