This is most annoying as Im due to leave for the south of France on Saturday morning, but the car has started making a single knocking noise when braking, and sometimes when dipping the clutch as the car slows. It’s not very loud, but I do notice it. It’s also intermittent, I dont hear it all the time.
I had a similar problem before only a couple of months ago, but it was the upper suspension arm ball joint which needed replacing. It was done under dealer warranty at a cost of £315 with Mazda parts. Im hoping the same part hasn’t failed again, as I don’t fancy having to shell out now that it wont be under warranty anymore.
Could this be the front drop links? I hear they can be a weak point on the MK3, and Im really hoping it is as I could proabbly replace them myself.
I also get some noticable vibration through the wheel at about 80MPH, if that might be linked to the problem.
Damn. Im pretty sure the noise is on the drivers side. Im considering replacing the drop links anyway as the cost to buy them isn’t huge and I can fit them myself.
I thought about the brakes as I recently replaced pads and discs all round; however, that was a few weeks ago and they have been noiseless since. Also, I notied it yesterday when the car slowed as I dipped the clutch, so as the weight of the car shifted forward, whatever it is must have come under tension.
I’ve got a single clunk when I brake, mine’s a Mk 1 though.
I traced it to loose rear brake pads NS.
I stripped all my brakes down and cleaned them all good now except that NSR.
I had to free it off as the pads were still binding on the discs (caliper ok) I found that the pads were sticking in the clips. I then filed them a little to fit better in the clips, overdone it slightly, now they clunk and chatter a little on the move. As they are more than half worn I’m going to replace them anyway.
See if you can move your pads in the caliper? they could be loose like mine, no need to remove the wheel.
OSF outer brake pad did indeed have some play in it, was able to move side to side slightly in the caliper.
Took it off, added atouch more grease and reseated it, seemed to be OK. Took it out for a drive and the clunk seems to have gone, but we shall wait and see if it works loose again.