I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: __
Hi guys. I noticed a bit of a knock from the offside rear over sharp bumps over the last week. Mostly on initial impact. Damping feels ok. I have now noticed the back left of the car is now resting quite a bit lower than the right rear so thinking broken sping.
I have no access to a ramp and cannot see the top mount from the wheel arch (but I can on the right). I am bringing the car to an independent garage tomorrow for an inspection.
My question is do I do springs on both ends if a snap is identified? Or do just the broken side? And also new bump stops and top mounts?
I bought the car in March of this year and put it through a main dealer service and had my independent guy do the rear brakes and pads pre-MOT in May. Neither identified any suspension trouble so I guess the state of the roads has just caught me out.
MX5 parts have the genuine Mazda ‘Sport’ springs sub £60 each at present.
Sods law that this happens just after I drop £400 on the official Carplay retrofit at the main dealer three weeks ago!
Providing you put the ‘correct’ spring (they have coloured painted rings) on then just replacing the single should be ok. A quick check of the ride height would be in order. (to avoid any ‘twist’ in the buses the suspension fastenings should be tightened with the full weight of the car on them)
If there is any doubt that there is a miss match then do both.
Someone on here may have a set ‘in stock’ if they have upgraded at some point.
Hmm. My guy couldn’t find anything amiss. Springs intact, top mounts, bump stops, bushings and wheel hubs all checked over and without fault or play.
I can still hear a knocking from the offside rear quarter over rougher surfaces. I had made sure to empty the boot previously so it’s nothing in there. I suppose the shock could be on its way out but he has suggested that I keep driving it and to come back in if it gets worse. If it’s the shock then it should degrade further over time.
If it is JUST nocking then it is likely to be the spherical bearing/bushes which are a well known and documented issue. But you said it was not level so is this still true?
PS This MechanicalDesigner is the man to message as he can supply everything you need to cure this problem.
Me again. The back end appears to have levelled out again but the rear end still just isn’t as rock solid as it was. Damping feels as excellent as always but on initial impact over sharper hits there is a noticeable knock.
In all other scenarios the car is absolutely perfect. As it was up on a ramp and visually inspected with no issues found, what else could be the culprit that couldn’t be inspected without a more detailed tear down?
Bump stops potentially? The hits that induce the knock would not result in sufficient travel to bottom the car out (I’ve yet to bottom the car out).
The car is due a comprehensive service in April after my first year of ownership. I won’t be planning big miles over winter so I am not hugely concerned right now but I will want to add getting this sorted at the same time as the big service.
And it’s definitely nothing in the boot, like the towing eye hitting something, or in the cubbys behind the rear seats? Or even something loose behind the boot trim? The trim access panels are easy to remove on mine to check.
I think the spherical joint is worth doing at this point as it’s £120 for the rear and labour shouldn’t be too bad given the suspension won’t need dropped out as it would if I move on to bump stops etc.
I could also get this done in the short term and should it not be the culprit, then do more rigorous investigating at next years big service.
The car was in for a routine oil change so I asked the mechanic to have a look around at the clunky rear end. Presuming his wording means track rod ends then these are thankfully not too pricey.
He is confirming what we have all been advising you, the link to where to get them from is above. I suggest doing all 4 at the same time and you will get the ‘tool’ for free.
Hi guys. I am just readying up to get this suspension niggle fixed. Is someone able to advise me exactly which parts this set of 4 spherical bushings will replace? Or provide me with a copy of the fitting instructions?
I just want to run these by my mechanic prior to booking the car in and to confirm whether he needs to order in any additional parts to tacke my problem.
