We all know these cars a a cracking noise in the front when you turn the tire certain directions, its something I've been dealing with for a couple of years now. But recently it make the same noise when brakeing from speeds of about 30 mph to stop. I feel it of course in the pedel but also as well as steering wheel. Weird. In any other car on the planet hearing that when brakeing would lead me to believe that it is a brake problem, but since it the same exact sound and feeling as the cracking I've been dealing with for about 4 years now it leads me to draw other conclusions. I don't know wether to invest $ in new rotors and pads, which I could use anyways, or the bushings and **** for the front that fixes the defect from the factory in the suspension. I can sit still parked and turn the wheel left and it pops, right and it pops, then its done for about five miles. Its kind of like cracking your knuckes then you can't do it for a while. Same damn noise and feel when brakeing. I think form the descriptions you should understand my problem..Has anybody had this same problem and which is the best parts to use to fix, thanks

 

check the bushings on the steering rack. this could be the source of the noise. i've had no problems with my rx-7 but have had similar problems on a mustang. it turned out the be bad bushings on the rack. hope it helps.

 

I'm having exact same problem.when turn steering,braking.

I think it's something to do with control arm bushings.
but I'm not sure and It didn,t bother too much.
but sooner later I have to deal with it..

good luck and keep posting..

thanks.

 

It usually begins with turning the wheel lock to lock or braking after you've backed up etc.

Jack up the front end and take your wheels off. Take a rubber mallet or other similarly soft heavy thing and bang the upper control arm forward and then rearward. You should hear a clunk or crack when you hit it. It is important that you hit it front to rear (along the axis of the bolts). That will probably be your problem. If not check the lower control arm in the same manner.

The fix isn't too hard, buy new front bushings ($40 ea) or buy new upper control arms ($150 ea from Mazdacomp). Buying the new arms is easier and faster, you also will get a new ball joint in the process.

Jeff

 

I had same problem; +1 for bushings, more than likely suspension shifting back and forth.

 

Aahhhhh bushings, soooo much fun........

 

Wow. . .an almost 6 year old thread. ZOMBIE!!!

 

Hey neighbor!

What does the SSM stand for?

Have you had the popping cracking suspension issues too? How did you resolve the problem?

 

It's fun resurrecting some of these old threads...

 

I remember my Fc had this problem when braking 30mph and below

 

Better to resurrect an old thread than to start a new one to regurgitate old info.

 

Silver Stone Metallic......

 

+1 for repeating what i wrote.