Rear sway bar clunks

DV5420 · Postby **DV5420** » Fri Feb 28, 2014 9:14

I can not seem to fix the clunks coming from the rear of the car. I assume it is the Mazdaspeed3 rear sway bar, because that's the only thing that isn't stock.

I've tried the following to no prevail:

New sway bar bushings & brackets.
Tightening of the end links & brackets.

I don't believe it is the endlinks, They are basically brand new OEM.

Has anyone had any problems regarding read end clunks? (Note: My car is a Mazda3 with Mazdaspeed3 rear swaybar & endlinks)

geo2maz · Postby **geo2maz** » Fri Feb 28, 2014 9:14

That sucks, i know your pain,
Do you still have the stock Mazda3 sway bar? If so I'd try switching back to that... Otherwise maybe shocks?

Website · Postby **Shadowden** » Fri Feb 28, 2014 9:14

I didn't have any clunking when i had an MS3 sway on my MZ3. When tightening the endlinks, is the car on the ground or on stands? I recall it needing to be on the ground (compressed). Are you supporting the tightneing nut with a hex key? From there, I gues I would check the shock mounts for tightness.

DV5420 · Postby **DV5420** » Fri Feb 28, 2014 9:14

geo2maz wrote:That sucks, i know your pain,
Do you still have the stock Mazda3 sway bar? If so I'd try switching back to that... Otherwise maybe shocks?

Fortunately I do, I'll swap them out this weekend & see if there's any noticeable noise.

Shadowden wrote:I didn't have any clunking when i had an MS3 sway on my MZ3. When tightening the endlinks, is the car on the ground or on stands? I recall it needing to be on the ground (compressed). Are you supporting the tightneing nut with a hex key? From there, I gues I would check the shock mounts for tightness.

Hmm, I didn't know that. My car has always been on a lift or lifted with a floor jack. I do use a hex key when tightening the endlinks.

I'll have to find somewhere where I can back my car up against a ledge or something because I can't fit under the back, with it sitting so low.

Website · Postby **Shadowden** » Fri Feb 28, 2014 9:14

Or have a little person like me reach under there. Are you slammed on coilovers or something? I was lowered on eibach springs and had no problem reaching.

Just the end links. I don't think the attachment of the sway bar to the sub frame matters.

Another silly possibility...is it possible your hatch floor covers are just bouncing and making a knocking noise (silly, I know).

AuroraAxela · Postby **AuroraAxela** » Sat Mar 01, 2014 9:14

He's in a sedan like mine, and also on eibachs.

_AlexTM · Postby **_AlexTM** » Sun Mar 02, 2014 9:14

Struts

Postby **RX-7 Chris** » Mon Mar 03, 2014 9:14

DV5420 wrote:I'll have to find somewhere where I can back my car up against a ledge or something because I can't fit under the back, with it sitting so low.

Shadow is right about the weight needing to be on the car.

The way I have found to be easiest is the set the car onto ramps using the floor jack. I assume you aren't able to drive up onto ramps (I'm not either).

Postby **Huzer** » Tue Mar 04, 2014 9:14

Concur with vehicle being on the ground/ramps for the end links. Nearly all of the clunks I've had suspension wise have been endlinks. If tightened on a lift, you're preloading the bar once it's on the ground. Not quite as big a deal for non adjustable endlinks, but still an issue. The others (for me) which seem unlikely in your case have been bad A arm bushings, sway bushings, loose shock mounts.

erod550 · Postby **erod550** » Tue Mar 04, 2014 9:14

Yep, jack the car up, loosen the suspension bolts (any that you tightened down without a load on them), put rear wheels down on ramps, tighten bolts to spec. I know it's not a Mazda but I have extensively modified the rear suspension on my Mustang and have avoided noise/clunking by doing it this way.

DV5420 · Postby **DV5420** » Tue Mar 04, 2014 9:14

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I'll try the ramp thing this weekend.

Rear sway bar clunks

Rear sway bar clunks

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