I was reading about someone with the same knock on a NC the other day. It turned out to be a split bumpstop.
Help please??
I have a problem?
One that I'm at a loss to solve
I'm getting a knock/tap from the rear suspension on potholes and speed bumps
I've had the car inspected by the Garage I work at, and while they can hear it, they cannot replicate it when fiddling about with the suspension
Bump stops are unlikely as It doesn't just happen on full suspension travel
I've read that it could be the handbrake mechanism, but I've tried applying some handbrake on speed bumps (Gently) and it doesn't stop
The exhaust is fine too. In fact they said everything is immovable and tight as it should be, and that included joints and bar ends etc...
Anything else I can check?
One that I'm at a loss to solve
I'm getting a knock/tap from the rear suspension on potholes and speed bumps
I've had the car inspected by the Garage I work at, and while they can hear it, they cannot replicate it when fiddling about with the suspension
Bump stops are unlikely as It doesn't just happen on full suspension travel
I've read that it could be the handbrake mechanism, but I've tried applying some handbrake on speed bumps (Gently) and it doesn't stop
The exhaust is fine too. In fact they said everything is immovable and tight as it should be, and that included joints and bar ends etc...
Anything else I can check?
1 - 20 of 28 Posts
I've always found it difficult to pin point the exact location of various noises in the NC, from your description, the ARB drop links which are said to fail early might be worth another look at.
Second on the drop links Chris
I have replaced many having experienced either a break or the symptoms you describe...front and rear.
I have replaced many having experienced either a break or the symptoms you describe...front and rear.
Check for a broken Spring as well as the above Chris, you're best jacking the car and let the suspension "hang" because coil spring breaks aren't always easy to spot unless the coils cross at the break. I've heard of a lot of broken springs on different cars recently - last one was a week ago on a mates BMW and they're not unknown on MX5s either. Knackered roads to blame I think. Worth checking anyway as even an MOT man can miss a broken spring sometimes.
Cheers all. I'm taking it in tomorrow
I'd definitely go with the droplinks. It's a common low mileage failure and easy to miss, I missed it on my Son-in Law's car shortly after he bought it with just over 30k miles.
Mines are now all replaced with ILM rose jointed adjustable links - don't get fussed with the adjustment aspect, it is merely there to ensure neutral loading on the ARB and striktly speaking you only need on adjustable link per ARB as it is simply to neutralise any natural pre-tension that may exist on links of a pre determined length. For me it was simply a stronger joint less likely to fail after low mileages.
Good luck.
Mines are now all replaced with ILM rose jointed adjustable links - don't get fussed with the adjustment aspect, it is merely there to ensure neutral loading on the ARB and striktly speaking you only need on adjustable link per ARB as it is simply to neutralise any natural pre-tension that may exist on links of a pre determined length. For me it was simply a stronger joint less likely to fail after low mileages.
Good luck.
Ok
Took the car down to the Garage this morning
The Mechanic, says that its more than likely NOT the bump stops
He thinks the rear ARB and Drop links may be the culprit, but not sure
The car is booked in on 22nd May while I Valet three cars over the road
He is going to completely remove the ARB and let me drive it for a few days without it and see if it makes the noise
If it doesn't he will replace the drop links
He's confident that its safe to do this, providing I don't go ragging it around bends...'Mois'?? ...COUGH!!
So.....Watch this space
Thankyou for all the replies both publically and by PM
Took the car down to the Garage this morning
The Mechanic, says that its more than likely NOT the bump stops
He thinks the rear ARB and Drop links may be the culprit, but not sure
The car is booked in on 22nd May while I Valet three cars over the road
He is going to completely remove the ARB and let me drive it for a few days without it and see if it makes the noise
If it doesn't he will replace the drop links
He's confident that its safe to do this, providing I don't go ragging it around bends...'Mois'?? ...COUGH!!
So.....Watch this space
Thankyou for all the replies both publically and by PM
Are you also sure that you haven't got something loose in the boot? Something small and metal perhaps that has dropped into a hidden corner.
Nothing in the boot or loose Roddy
I may just add, that it does it more when the car is hot....Puzzling!!
I may just add, that it does it more when the car is hot....Puzzling!!
At least the drop links are cheap, although if he's going to the trouble of detaching them, with all Mazda's classic rust getting in the way, he may not detach everything intact so why not just replace them. I think I paid £15 each for the last car.
Its a process of elimination Steve.
He just isn't sure, so would rather replace the DL's if he needs to
There is zero rust under there
He just isn't sure, so would rather replace the DL's if he needs to
There is zero rust under there
I really don't understand this'logic' if he removes the droplinks then he'll know instantly of the link is shot and he will only need to remove one end of the link to check both ends. Driving with no ARBs is verging on unsafe and definitely a driving offence, I.e. driving a vehicle with a key part of the suspension disconnected. I honestly find it hard to believe any mechanic would advise this course of action let alone put you out on the roads in this condition.
Sorry to sound so negative here but I'm quite frankly horrified.
Sorry to sound so negative here but I'm quite frankly horrified.
Would that not be an MOT failure.?
Is it anything like this Chris?
Is it anything like this Chris?
He says its fine.
I work at this Garage and they know their stuff!
If he says its Ok..Im fine with that
Sorry Steveti
Brad...I dont know yet...Haha!!!
I work at this Garage and they know their stuff!
If he says its Ok..Im fine with that
Sorry Steveti
Brad...I dont know yet...Haha!!!
Just really pointing out that in order to remove the ARB both ends of the droplink hang free, free enough to determine if they are worn at either end, it's just so obvious, I've done the job enough times to understand this. For the life of me I don't understand why any garage, especially one that knows their stuff would feel the need to remove a safety critical part of your suspension and snnd you out on the public road. At worst perhaps disconnect one end of the drop link and drive carefully round the block, preferably in a relatively controlled environment like an industrial estate.
I just say this as there is simply no need to remove the ARB to inspect droplinks and running without the ARB attached to each side of the suspension takes a lot of suspension control away under cornering and braking. It just seems pointless as a diagnosis tool and dangerous to have the car out on the main roads. I just don't get the logic at play at all.
I just say this as there is simply no need to remove the ARB to inspect droplinks and running without the ARB attached to each side of the suspension takes a lot of suspension control away under cornering and braking. It just seems pointless as a diagnosis tool and dangerous to have the car out on the main roads. I just don't get the logic at play at all.
Ahhhh this problem occurred with a pals Mk 3.75 after it got reversed into whilst he was sitting in traffic.......I will ask him what they ended up replacing on his car to cure it. I'm hopeful he will remember as it was in and out of Mazda like a dog at a fair 
but it did get cured
but it did get cured Thanks Tim
I hope he can recall
I really don't like the idea of driving very far on a disconnected and removed rear ARB
I might just get the drop links swapped for after-market ones, as they're much more substantial anyway
I hope he can recall
I really don't like the idea of driving very far on a disconnected and removed rear ARB
I might just get the drop links swapped for after-market ones, as they're much more substantial anyway
Just heard back from matey Chris and it's not helpful I'm afraid...his O/S/R wing was reversed into and repaired but over a series of 3 months it was back and forward to Mazda with a knock and they finally replaced the rear hub after the drop link and strut and it cured it.......but he messaged me back to say the noise was back and it was going back in again at 8000 miles :banghead:Thanks Tim
I hope he can recall
I really don't like the idea of driving very far on a disconnected and removed rear ARB
I might just get the drop links swapped for after-market ones, as they're much more substantial anyway
Mmmm...Oh well...We shall see on the 22nd.
1 - 20 of 28 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Mazda MX5 Forum
A forum community dedicated to Mazda MX5 Miata owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Recommended Communities
