2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

loud thunk

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Old Mar 23, 2006 | 05:21 PM
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loud thunk

My car has been making a weird thunking noise for awhile now, but it has recently gotten worse. Everytime I turn or hit a speed bump there is a loud thunk from the front. It seems like I can feel it throught the pedals aswell. One of my sway bar end links was messed up but I replaced them with RB units so its not that. What else could it be? I checked the struts and they were fine.

Thanks
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Old Mar 23, 2006 | 05:25 PM
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Check you're mounts. On everything. You sure it's in the front? Diff. mount will cause a thunk..BIG thunk..but in the back.
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Old Mar 23, 2006 | 06:40 PM
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If I pull into my driveway, when the front tire hits the lip it does it so im sure its the front. I already pulled off the wheels before and checked around, everything seemed fine. Mabey a bushing got thrashed?
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Old Mar 23, 2006 | 06:43 PM
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check a balljoint too... may not look bad but it could be f'd up... and yes inspect all bushings and check your shocks and springs.
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Old Mar 23, 2006 | 07:21 PM
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jack up the front end and grab the Front tire..top and bottom..now try and move it(push and pull)..if it moves it's a ball joint(dangerous to drive like that..)..from side to side..tie rod..(dangerous too)..Neo has the Idea..
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Old Mar 24, 2006 | 04:18 PM
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I found something in the driver side, I can grab the top of the rotor and jiggle it alittle. It seems like only the rotor is moving, mabey the nut thing in the center is loose.
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Old Mar 24, 2006 | 07:09 PM
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if the rotor can move in the front it don't matter since the wheel holds the rotor in place and it being loose with the wheel off is gonna happen.

I don't think this would be a thunk or anything when driving... it still sounds like a bad bushing or something with suspension... like a shock is blown out and isn't dampening at all.
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Old Mar 24, 2006 | 07:49 PM
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its the rear bushings... i have the same problem.. its in the back.. mines alout worse... when i push on the peddle or release the peddle it makes a really big thump to were it litterally moves the rear hatch door and shakes the rear view mirror... hahah.. yea i know theres alout wrong with this rx7 its a 86 NA i just changed the oil on it today and when i checked it after words it was still black beacuse before i bought it no one ever changed it... i have to do a system flush on it.. i have to buy a new engine new engine mounts new sway bars now suspention new tires new everything basiclly.. yea i bought it for 1200 and ill sell it for 900-1000... if you want it its in arizona.. just let me know.. ill take pictures of the car tonight
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Old Mar 24, 2006 | 07:49 PM
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btw i know this isnt the place to sell my car but i didnt expect to start talking about selling it just came up sorry
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Old Mar 24, 2006 | 07:50 PM
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it also could be the shock is blown out and isn't dampening.. thats another problem i have
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Old Mar 24, 2006 | 08:51 PM
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its the rear bushings... i have the same problem.. its in the back.. mines alout worse... when i push on the peddle or release the peddle it makes a really big thump to were it litterally moves the rear hatch door and shakes the rear view mirror...
Broken dif. mount?

I found something in the driver side, I can grab the top of the rotor and jiggle it alittle. It seems like only the rotor is moving, mabey the nut thing in the center is loose.
Is this with the wheel on or off the car? If the wheels are on the car...are they aftermarket? You may need a spacer if they are.
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Old Mar 24, 2006 | 09:14 PM
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They are gxl wheels. I have a 86 base with 5 lug conversion with mostly s5 suspension. The shocks are almost brand new.

The sound really seems like its from the front, and when I turn it does the thunk so I doubt its the diff mount. I will have to check the bushings sunday (only day I have time! lol)

My initial thought was the motor mounts, but if they were broken it wouldnt be very loud would it?
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Old Mar 25, 2006 | 04:18 AM
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hmm also you need to check your tie rod and INNER tie rod end... if it happens when turning it could be that... check the accordian looking boot over the inner tie rod end for grease on it and tears.
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Old Mar 25, 2006 | 08:16 AM
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Originally Posted by NeCr0mStR
if the rotor can move in the front it don't matter since the wheel holds the rotor in place and it being loose with the wheel off is gonna happen.

I don't think this would be a thunk or anything when driving... it still sounds like a bad bushing or something with suspension... like a shock is blown out and isn't dampening at all.
this really comes down to how much play you have, ideally you shouldnt have any play at all, if you do, chances are you have a bad wheelbearing, i would check that, it can be devistating if it were to seize on the freeway
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Old Mar 25, 2006 | 09:34 AM
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I went to sir rupert hobo's house and we decided it is the wheelbearing. I know I really shouldnt drive it, but I have to go to work, and it is literally 2 minutes away...

Should I order a new bearing, or find someone parting a car and get the whole part?
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Old Mar 25, 2006 | 12:08 PM
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get new stuff

its a critacal part and if you replace it now with new chances are you will NEVER have to replace that bearing again.
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Old Mar 25, 2006 | 12:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Tournapart
this really comes down to how much play you have, ideally you shouldnt have any play at all, if you do, chances are you have a bad wheelbearing, i would check that, it can be devistating if it were to seize on the freeway

good call Tournapart, I just simply forgot about the wheel bearings doing something like that since I would think you would get some kinda noise like a squeek or a howling kinda noise from bad bearings.
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Old Mar 25, 2006 | 03:23 PM
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i think theres something special you gotta do when you replace them theres a writeup about it on here somewhere check the archives maybe
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Old Mar 25, 2006 | 03:28 PM
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s5 instructions and I believe s4 too
Attached Thumbnails loud thunk-wheel-bearings1.jpg   loud thunk-wheel-bearings2.jpg  
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Old Mar 25, 2006 | 03:51 PM
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It is impossible to get the bearing. I think it is the outer no matter where you go they list the inner and outer bearing as two different #s, different manufacturers too and they are both the same inner bearing. I tried Napa, Auto Zone, Advance, and three local places ALL did the same thing to me. I got it by bringing the outer into a bearing warehouse and they checked the # and got me a replacement. Mazda would only sell the hub $500. That said bring your outer bearing with you to the parts store and they should be able to cross reference the stamped # and get you the right part. hope your races are still good because I couldnt even find a shop to press them in and out. Good luck
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Old Mar 25, 2006 | 03:58 PM
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Necromstr nice the instructions say if you need to replace the bearing then replace the hub. So fork over $1000 plus bearings! Thanks Mazda
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Old Mar 25, 2006 | 05:29 PM
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f-that just get used parts

someone should have good used parts around
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