2014 Mazda 3

[JohnM]

since i got the car, i'm hearing the infamous clunking noise on the strut.. per online search, there is a mazda TSB which requires installation of a mazda approved "spring protector"..

the noise is irritating especially when going over smooth humps or consecutive pot holes.. first, i suspect the strut bearings were shot so i bought 2 pcs brandnew!

so i decided to inspect the strut last weekend. per my assessment, its more of a design flaw.. the strut bearings were fine, i pry it open to clean and re grease.. the problem is that the strut bearings cannot locate the springs properly in the center resulting to minute side to side movement of the spring..

upon inspection, i can clearly see the movement marks on top of the spring against the strut bearing. btw, the strut bearing body is made out of polymer plastic.

bottomline, the "spring protector" does not protect the spring from making contact with the strut bearing, but its function is to more to maintain the spring in the center and avoid that side to side movement.

mazda should also redesign the strut bearing to properly locate the spring in the center!

a good rubber hose cut in the middle wrapped around the spring to fill in the gap solved the problem

I think mine are shot as well. The suspension is quiet enough until it hits a hard edge. It gets worse when it hits successive small impacts like a rumble strip or rough pavement. I already had the protectors installed under warranty but that was around 5 years ago.

[yapoy86]

I think mine are shot as well. The suspension is quiet enough until it hits a hard edge. It gets worse when it hits successive small impacts like a rumble strip or rough pavement. I already had the protectors installed under warranty but that was around 5 years ago.

you might want to check your shock absorbers.. also check those so called spring protectors as they might have perished resulting to slight movement of the spring around the strut bearings. the housing of the strut bearing is made out of polymer plastic.. ive noticed that it can get bent on the weight of the car.

they should've designed the strut bearings housing with larger middle section or grooves to locate the spring... unfortunately, with their design, the spring can wobble around causing that clunking noise

the bearings inside need grease.. time / heat may cause them to dry up resulting to creaking noise

mine now is solid.. no more noise.. so glad I inspected that strut bearing!

[jojopad]

Here....Attachment 40492

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Many thanks sir! [emoji4]

[JohnM]

you might want to check your shock absorbers.. also check those so called spring protectors as they might have perished resulting to slight movement of the spring around the strut bearings. the housing of the strut bearing is made out of polymer plastic.. ive noticed that it can get bent on the weight of the car.

they should've designed the strut bearings housing with larger middle section or grooves to locate the spring... unfortunately, with their design, the spring can wobble around causing that clunking noise

the bearings inside need grease.. time / heat may cause them to dry up resulting to creaking noise

mine now is solid.. no more noise.. so glad I inspected that strut bearing!

Finally had the front suspension checked today. Everything was fine except for the dead stab links and the spring insulators that melted away lol. Shock mounts were still fine and the insulators are on order. The noise is gone! So happy

[Hardyharhar]

Any recommendation where i can have this checked, repaired/replaced outside the casa? Meron kasi tumatagas. Most likely gasket lang naman yata yung kelangan palitan. Also where to get the parts.

[JohnM]

Location?

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[Hardyharhar]

Location?

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Alabang area po kmi.

[JohnM]

Alabang area po kmi.

Contact Mhonworks. Their contact info is on their FB page. Their shop is just behind Vista Mall Taguig.

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[Hardyharhar]

Contact Mhonworks. Their contact info is on their FB page. Their shop is just behind Vista Mall Taguig.

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Thanks, will check out Mhonworks. Would you recommend getting the parts from the casa? My car is a Mazda 3 2.0 2014 model. When i had my pms last November, madami sila gusto papalitan na such as belt tensioner, alternator belt, water pump belt, valve cover gasket, spark plugs. Need din to change brake and transmission fluid. All in all inabot estimate nila ng 140k including 30k in labor. Obviously I backed out dahil sobrang mahal lalo na nung labor.

[JohnM]

Thanks, will check out Mhonworks. Would you recommend getting the parts from the casa? My car is a Mazda 3 2.0 2014 model. When i had my pms last November, madami sila gusto papalitan na such as belt tensioner, alternator belt, water pump belt, valve cover gasket, spark plugs. Need din to change brake and transmission fluid. All in all inabot estimate nila ng 140k including 30k in labor. Obviously I backed out dahil sobrang mahal lalo na nung labor.

Mhon used to work in a Mazda then Toyota casa. In fact he worked on my 3 while it was still under Yojin3. He uses OEM parts as much as possible and it might be a bit cheaper if you get it directly from him. During my last PMS he used OEM filters and 555 stab links. He will show you the sealed packages before they install the parts.

You can let him know of casa's recommendation so before you go he'll have the parts ready.

[yapoy86]

Any recommendation where i can have this checked, repaired/replaced outside the casa? Meron kasi tumatagas. Most likely gasket lang naman yata yung kelangan palitan. Also where to get the parts.

looks like there's no leak.. i suspect the orange spots are coming from water condensate on the AC return hose..

[Hardyharhar]

looks like there's no leak.. i suspect the orange spots are coming from water condensate on the AC return hose..

It seems they are coming from this. If you will look closely at the picture you will be able to see the liquid seeping out. It started as sludge like then natuyo na over time.

[JohnM]

Looks like an engine mount. If so it will have to be replaced.

[Hardyharhar]

Looks like an engine mount. If so it will have to be replaced.

Thank you sir for the recommendation! I have contacted Mhonworks already.

[RedlineJunkie]

Thank you sir for the recommendation! I have contacted Mhonworks already.

Keep us updated.

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[Hardyharhar]

Keep us updated.

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Finally had my Mazda 3 repaired by Mhonworks last week. Replaced the engine support, belt tensioner, alternator belt, water pump belt, valve cover gasket, aircon filter, air filter, spark plugs, atf, brake fluid. Total damage is 25% cheaper than the casa. All parts are OEM. Malaki ang natipid ko sa labor. What I like about Mhon is he explains in great detail why you need to replace parts and he also shows you the replacement parts that he bought to prove they are legit. Hindi sya taga coz i was also able to compare his quotations with the other suppliers. Thank you to Sir JohnM for recommending Mhonworks!

[togmolodon]

Has anyone had their iStop capacitor replaced outside casa? If yes, where did you source the replacement and name of the shop that did the work?

M3 running for almost two years already with a defective iStop, the flashing amber light is just annoying, and if I don't trickle charged the battery at least once a week I have no way of knowing when it is going to conked out.

[JohnM]

Look for Mikstore on FB.

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[togmolodon]

Look for Mikstore on FB.

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I saw the price from Mazda i-ELOOP Capacitor Replacement – Mikstore Car Accessories it's a bit much for me at the moment, on a tight budget.

[travajante]

I saw the price from Mazda i-ELOOP Capacitor Replacement – Mikstore Car Accessories it's a bit much for me at the moment, on a tight budget.

Tascaparts, you just need to ship it in.

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