2014 Mazda3 Front-End Suspension Strut Clunking Noise - 💡 READ DESCRIPTION

After living with it for years, I finally set out to diagnose the occasional clunks coming from the passenger-side front end of my 2014 Mazda3. The noise would occur intermittently when:
1️⃣ pulling out of a parking space at an angle,
2️⃣ resuming from a stop while turning the wheel, and
3️⃣ going straight over bumps and dips.
After ruling out the sway bar end link (temporarily removed for troubleshooting in the video), lower control arm ball joint, tie rod end, and strut mount, the culprit turned out to be the strut itself-and not just the shock absorber, but the coil spring as well.
While the shock reacted fine when tested outside of the car, it would clunk under load when the suspension experienced a sudden rise or fall, such as when going over bumps or dips. The shock absorber had probably become weakened and unable to react quickly enough to sudden shocks, leaving momentary gaps which allowed metal parts to bang together. Replacing the shock fixed the easy-to-reproduce clunk # 3️⃣, but not the more elusive clunks # 1️⃣ and 2️⃣.
It wasn't until the coil spring was also replaced that the steering-related clunks 1️⃣ and 2️⃣ were eliminated. Like the shock, the spring looked fine to the naked eye-my guess is that it must've been slightly crooked, which caused it to bind and snap when the strut rotated a certain way.

[@user-ow7ib5lj5n]

I replaced struts because of mechanics’ recommendations, but I still have clunk noise. Lol

[@timothymunz929]

Do diagnostics before replacing stuff then

[@user-ow7ib5lj5n]

@@timothymunz929 they said nothing is wrong👍

[@timothymunz929]

@@user-ow7ib5lj5n do your own diagnostics

[@leosheppard8517]

Hi. I had a similar noise at the same times you mentioned above. Sounds different in the cabin. I thought it was my gearbox shifting 1 to 2 (manual) also around this time. you’ve given me some doubt. (2010 BL 2.0L 6 manual - first owner now 175,000km). ta

[@CJ-fh5xq]

Nice, did you film this with a GoPro in the fender well?

[@nchevsky]

I taped my phone to the wheel well 🤣

[@ddk80]

Hi Nick. I am hearing a similar noise in my RAV4 only when backing out of my driveway at an extreme angle or hitting bumps at an angle while driving. 2 mechanics said nothing is wrong with my suspension, but they inspected on a lift and not on a test drive. Do you think it could be the spring and strut? Also, which brand did you go with or did you use OEM?

[@nchevsky]

A test drive is a must; my suspension also passed all visual inspections in spite of the clunks. 🫠 I went with a KYB spring and shock absorber, which in my case were the two parts that were bad. You can also get a preassembled unit that includes the mount and everything. Good luck!

[@ddk80]

Thanks, Nick! BTW how have the KYB’s held up?

[@nchevsky]

@@ddk80 Sure! They've held up great and are virtually indistinguishable from the Mazda OEMs.

[@thegamingchef3304]

​@@nchevsky Yeah I took mine to a mechanic and he visually inspected it and seen nothing wrong. As I inspected it also and seen nothing wrong. I am not a mechanic, but I've actually been 95% right on diagnosing what's wrong with me car lol...I was wrong this time tho...I took him for a drive around the block and he instantly knew it was the shock.

[@johnh7058]

@@thegamingchef3304 Was it a rear shock noise or front strut ? Low speed noise?

[@dabyd64]

Sounds like a bad strut bearing to me, inherent to mcpherson suspension, when bad they cause the coil to accumulate tension and move in small, violent steps, hence the bangs and cracks. Coils and shocks don't make this type of noise. Probably you replaced the struts along with the other parts, fixing the issue.

[@ZERONEINNOVATIONS]

I guess the noise of shock is more squeaky? like mattress? I had the same kind of noise on my 2002 civic with strut. It was the strut bearing.

[@jasonbalzer3875]

Did you get an alignment after replacing the parts?

[@nchevsky]

I didn't, but it's recommended to do so as the replacement may affect ride height.

[@petrbalik1632]

mounting of the shock absorber or shock absorbers

[@nchevsky]

Shock absorbers in my case; the strut mounts were fine.

[@kamerG]

Which new suspension did you place?

[@nchevsky]

@@kamerG KYB SR4510

[@michaelasambat]

what brand did you use for the replacement?

[@nchevsky]

KYB. It's held up great and is virtually indistinguishable from the Mazda part.

[@michaelasambat]

@@nchevsky thanks. I have the same issue since i bought my unit in 2014. mazda was not able to tell me where the issue is coming from and they only applied regreasing during pms. i just learned to live for many years but not until now because both and front are now clunking ridiculously.

[@BigBoss-tk6lh]

Hi,, i have the same sound with my cx5,the sound only comes when i accelerate up hill over a bump,i changed two front control arms but the sound still there..can you tell me what to check..thanks

[@nchevsky]

In my case, the culprits were the passenger-side shock absorber and coil spring. It's all explained in the video description; good luck!

[@a.carter3120]

My car has been doing this when making turns along with squeaking brakes and messages coming up on the dashboard and I just purchased this from a Toyota dealer last month. I got in contact with them but they keep giving me the run around and said they’re trying to get me in to have it looked at but still haven’t heard back from them. At this point I don’t even want the car anymore..

[@IzuaanSalleh]

How do you solve the problem?

[@nchevsky]

I had to replace both the shock absorber and the coil spring. It's all explained in the description.

[@kennethzagula926]

did you buy the struts preloaded with spring already on?@@nchevsky

[@fvictor77]

Your disconnected swaybar put more stress on other components. Also why would you disconnect the sway bar on a road car?

[@nchevsky]

As explained in the description, the sway bar link was momentarily removed as a way of ruling it out while locating the source of the clunks. The sway bar wasn't the culprit, and the end link was reinstalled shortly thereafter.