Arcolithe

1984 RX7 GSL

Just recently when I had to park my car on a rather steep slope overnight, I woke up and drove my home to hear a large clicking sound as if a metal piece was banging against something else.

The sound seems like it's a rotational thing, usually coming at 20MPH or faster on an idle. Sound slows down during acceleration, and stops when I brake. Completely goes away if I drive with the e-brake halfway locked.

So far I have tightened the lugs and nuts on the brake caliper, tire and hub. Making sure there is no play. When I roll the car by hand nothing moves, and nothing is visible when the clicking noise occurs.

Is there a possibility my suspension would be making this sound or perhaps the axle is bent/damaged?

Arcolithe

after a few laps around the block, I noticed that the car's suspension is funny as well. Car rocks VERY hard left to right.

Is there a way that the differential could have a leak or something fell/broke inside which wouldn't disable the car, but create a large clicking sound?

DarrenTRS

iTrader: (1)

When you parked on the hill, how did you park? i.e. in gear w/ e-brake, neutral w/ e-brake etc.

Does it sound like rocks/marbles in a can or something banging/clanking?

Rear shocks when completely blown out can give off a rocks/marbles in a can sound that changes with speed and can be very misleading. Easy test for that would be to put the car on flat ground and push on the rear bumper 3-4 times then let it go and see how much it bounces or if it feels off between the left and right side.

But the rocking side to side might makes me think it might be something to do with the linkage, I would jack the rear up from the pumpkin, put jackstands under the body and slowly lower the jack to allow the suspension to droop and look to see if anything is out of place or just straight up broken.

Arcolithe

no, it doesn't sound like rocks/marbles or a bad wheel bearing of sort. It's a very aggressive clicking sound and nothing seems uneven from the suspension. shocks work like normal.

when I jack my car up and take it to first gear, I notice that the right wheel wobbles a lot. I'm wondering if I need to replace the whole axle, just the hub assembly or just the bearing. I'm new to live axle so don't really know how to determine how serious problems are with it.

Arcolithe

can't honestly find new wheel hub or axles, from mazdatrix or elsewhere.

maybe I'm using wrong keywords

DivinDriver

iTrader: (15)

I would look carefully for a cracked rim, too; the clicking could be the cracked portion flexing. You should see zero wobble when the wheels turn.

Make sure you're watching the rim, not the tire. Tires can go out of round.

https://www.mazdatrix.com/g6.htm

Most of the original axles are NLA.

t_g_farrell

iTrader: (1)

Sounds like a bent wheel or axle. With it up in the air, pull the wheel and see if the hub
wobbles at all, if it does then its either a bearing or axle issue. You would need to pull
the axle to be sure then.