Hey, Just wondering what "strange" sounds people are experiencing with their 8s.
i.e whirling, buzzing, rattling, humming etc
My 8 seems to experience a variety of strange sounds and was trying to determine if they were common and maybe therefore "normal" or require further investigation.
It would be good if people would post their "sounds" and we can get a good idea i.e maybe a poll or something and maybe even try and work out what is causing the sounds.

I note their is quite a bit of concern RE sounds in this forum and i think it may help alleviate fears about people's RX8s.

Cheers

My sounds
1) high pitched whirling/ buzzing at about 7000 revs just before the "beep"
2) the "clunk" (well documented in forum) in early stages after starting car

Nico,

I have 3 noises identified and not annoying enough to fix it.

The rattle in the seat belt. It happens sporadically and related to how you shut the door.

The squeal in my seat. The bolts come loose and the metal part is rubbing each other.

The Axial flow short shifter.. I don't mind the mechanical noise really.

Oh 4th... :eek:
My baby and my wife ... it is illegal to put a sock in their mouths :p

Only noise ive come across is the squeeling brake pads.

I've got the following:

Small clunk when moving off but we all know that's normal.

Some squeaking from the seat but I put that down to a healthy appetite! ;) :D

A small mechanical whistle (not the rev alarm) when I lift off close to redline to change gear - but I love that one!! :cool: ;) :D

The odd bit of squeaking from the rear parcel shelf area but not regular or loud enough to worry me.

Otherwise I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary.

I've got the following:

A small mechanical whistle (not the rev alarm) when I lift off close to redline to change gear - but I love that one!! :cool: ;) :D

Then you would love my lightened flywheel. Get of the gas at high rpm and you can really hear it spinning/whistling. Sounds hardcore... I love it :D

It's on my list Livey!!

Still conducting the extensive marital negotiation required in order to get the Hymee exhaust. I knew those joint accounts were a bad idea!! :rolleyes: :D :D

I hear some other noise, i noticed it just tonite driving home......

Soft voices in my head ;) mmmmwahahahaha

recently I found out whenever I pressed the gas pedal very lightly, there was 'high pitch noise'.. not sure where it came from.. and the noise was not obvious at all.. no way you can hear it if music is on, the noise doesn't exist if i press the gas pedal when car stops. the noise occurs at different level of speed so i don't think it was because of the speed.. any idea?

Might be a cat trapped under the bonnet.. On cold nights they like to sleep in cars.. :D

Soft voices in my head ;) mmmmwahahahaha

How the hell do they ever get a word in??? :p

^^^LoL

They interrupt and talk over the top of each other...

Ahuh, I think this is what happens to children with no siblings! We create our own little rivalries in our head :D

recently I found out whenever I pressed the gas pedal very lightly, there was 'high pitch noise'.. not sure where it came from.. and the noise was not obvious at all.. no way you can hear it if music is on, the noise doesn't exist if i press the gas pedal when car stops. the noise occurs at different level of speed so i don't think it was because of the speed.. any idea?

is it sort of a very sharpish sorta noise? i think it could be air intake coz i got it too.. but i can always here it when i step on the accelerator

is it sort of a very sharpish sorta noise? i think it could be air intake coz i got it too.. but i can always here it when i step on the accelerator

Yes sort of.. but the noise is not noticeable and it only happens when I do the gas lightly n it won't happen if the car stops... so have you get it fixed?

Another noise noted

a "creaking" of my front dash whilst driving - bloody plastic

I had a creaking in my dash caused by the instrument cluster rubbing on the dash. I popped my cluster off and put some stick on rubber on the side of the instrument cluster -- solved the problem.

Only noise ive come across is the squeeling brake pads.
How old is your car? I complained about squealing brakes at my last service and they were replaced under warranty. There is a TSB out for this problem with earlier cars.

Hey Sco,

I got my car September 2004, I told them about the squeeling at my 10,000km service, which was in....... umm March I think... They rekon the brakes were still in perfect condition and that its just brake dust that causes the noise..... told me to slam my brakes a few times and it removes dust.. Or they told me I can buy their "modified" stock brake pads which do not squeel as much as the current stock ones.

Ta Kall.

How old is your car? I complained about squealing brakes at my last service and they were replaced under warranty. There is a TSB out for this problem with earlier cars.

I had the same change done at the 10k service, good for 1or2k before squealing returned, complained again at 20k service, they applied anti squeal gunk, two days later squealing is back, took it back in after squealing all the way in to work, mechanic sat in car with me as I drove around and around, guess what no squealing made me look like a fool.
Don't know what to do now, some days they squeal :mad: some days they don't. :) :confused:

I did some freeway driving on the weekend and noticed some wind noise behind my right ear, like the door seal was letting air in.

Cannot hear it at lower speeds.

Anyone else notice that before?

Its plastic, id expect it.

A "creaking" doesn't affect me anyhow cause close to redline my intake shakes the whole

damn thing including my steering wheel!

So let it be guys, listen to what happens under that bonnet and what happens at the rear

tail pipes, ignore all else. Enjoy it will ya!

Cheers.
Tuan.

I did some freeway driving on the weekend and noticed some wind noise behind my right ear, like the door seal was letting air in.

Cannot hear it at lower speeds.

Anyone else notice that before?

Maybe the rear window is not completely shut/sealed. There have been some issues with this

I'll double-check that next time I hear it but I usually check the rear door is properly shut because I understand that damage can occur if you attempt to shut the front door if the rear door isn't properly shut.

Thanks for the tip.

No...I mean the little latched window in the rear door, which is locked via an over-centre catch. Sometimes that catch needs an adjustment. I think there's a DIY on it

Oh, I get it. Sorry, misread your post.

I'll check that but I don't think I've ever opened them! :eek:

i had a slight click on pressing the clutch pedal maybe 1 on every ten presses. i was ignoring it for a while but it was becoming more frequent. in the US, some people had this issue. it was solved with lubrication of the linkage. i fixed it myself by spraying silicon spray on the clutch pedal spring from under the dash. no more click!

cheers

mike

Hey Revolver,

When I get to higher speeds, (80km +) I get
wind noise too... It's really starting to bug me....
Did you manage to get rid of the noise????

I had a similar noise... complained about a problem with noise related to the drivers side door seal when my car went in for the recall. Seems to have gone pretty much now. Not sure what they did to fix it unfortunately though.

Well my dealer did have a go at lubing the seals but what I eventually figured out was that the noise was resonation from a loose bit of trim on the driver's door (the one just above the armrest).

Jay's sunroof rattled for the longest time. We got that fixed and now there's something in the back that's rattling.

I happen to love the sounds of the engine of the RX-8. It relaxes me to the point where I almost fall asleep when I'm in the passenger seat. :)

38,000km and touch wood no squeeks, rattles or wind noise. I do notice the subdued high pitched whistle at light throttle openings though. As it's centred on around 3200rpm I put it down to the second intake tract coming into play.

I wish Mazda had bothered to line the glovebox with flock or something though. Just about anything you put in there rattles along in unison with every small bump on the road. Easily fixed with a felt pad. It's funny how a rattle-free glovebox can alter your perception of the build quality of the car!

I wish Mazda had bothered to line the glovebox with flock or something though. Just about anything you put in there rattles along in unison with every small bump on the road. Easily fixed with a felt pad. It's funny how a rattle-free glovebox can alter your perception of the build quality of the car!

Good point - I've noticed the same thing.

Wedging your tyre pressure gauge, pen and other 'rattly stuff' between your service manual and street directory helps. :D:

I get this loose bolt sound coming from the engine. Anyone else hearing this? 2004 35,000 miles

"Loose bolt"?? Can you be more specific? Do you mean a metallic rattling sound? Does it vary with engine speed? Louder/changes pitch/stops? Have you opened the bonnet? If so, what is the sound like then? Have someone rev the motor while you listen. Any excessive engine vibration?

Agree with Timbo - tough to know what you're talking about.

However, given age of car and what some of us have experienced, it could well be the engine mounts. I've just had mine replaced.

Do you notice more vibration and noise in the drivetrain at idle (e.g. more shudder in the gear stick)?

If so, have them checked. Actually, have them looked at anyway.

I get 1. Induction noise 2. Brake squealing.....it's the pad compound that makes this noise and unless you get really spensive pads they all will do it...at least they are stopping the car! 3. Creak in seat...near where seat belt clicks in...4. Rattle when I forget to shut the back door properly :mdrmed: 5. Squeal at high revvs....like this one specially....all other noises are drowned out by stereo most of the time. Haven't got to the rev limiter noise yet...saving that one till after the 10,000 kms service :angel: Then the other noise I get is the voice of some woman yelling and abusing some of the aneasthatised drivers in Adelaide who seem to become loons when it rains.... :nono: She yells all sorts of obsinities at the moment...the special one is "spastic" which she knows is politically incorrect and down right wrong but it's the first one to be said........I hear other voices too Kal......I think that may be my Blue Tooth connection!!!

i had a slight click on pressing the clutch pedal maybe 1 on every ten presses. i was ignoring it for a while but it was becoming more frequent. in the US, some people had this issue. it was solved with lubrication of the linkage. i fixed it myself by spraying silicon spray on the clutch pedal spring from under the dash. no more click!

cheers

mike

i have this problem also...as well as squeaking. took it to the dealer...and they lubed it up good (foot practically slips off the pedal now). that got rid of the squeak...but i still have the click. :(

i will try your solution. thanks.

...but i still have the click.

Me too!! Its worse in traffic - I guess that is related to how many times the clutch is used in a time period...

1. Squealing brakes
2. Passenger door panel squeak
3. Driver's side door rattle
4. Gear knob leather boot rubbing noise
5. Ticking noise when clutch in hard
6. Tire whine causing vibrating sound throughout whole chassis on bad roads
7. Bad music from CD Player
8. Whinny engine sound
9. Asshole sound from surrounding cars at traffic lights
10. Motherfucking scream of joy from driver
11. Last but not least a sense of "being broke" feel at the petrol station.

Hey Sco,

I got my car September 2004, I told them about the squeeling at my 10,000km service, which was in....... umm March I think... They rekon the brakes were still in perfect condition and that its just brake dust that causes the noise..... told me to slam my brakes a few times and it removes dust.. Or they told me I can buy their "modified" stock brake pads which do not squeel as much as the current stock ones.

Ta Kall.

I complained about squeeling brakes @ my dealership and they replaced the brake pads.. since then, no more squeeling.

The only weird I get is a really high pitched 'whirring' noise when changing from 1st to 2nd - sounds a bit like a sewing machine/supercharger hybrid. I've had this ever since I had my rx8 so Im guessing that's normal.

Theres this other 'thump' which I get when the A/C is turned on and the car is on idle. It continues at a seemingly constant interval until the A/C is turned off.

Heres a sCANalyzer snapshot which illustrates the 'thump'

http://thesmszone.com/filez/060626_054912_160.gif

Rear tyres were bald but fronts OK. Moved fronts to rear, put new tyres on front. Now have terrible tyre noise from rears at 50-80kph. Sounds like I have a flat spot. Looked at tyres and wear is uneven with most wear on the inside. Hoping will wear down and go away shortly or might have to replace them even though plenty of tread left.

Yes, any uneven tyre wear (or flat spots :o: ) on the rear will really create noise from the rear. It gets worse as they wear more, so the only solution is to replace with new ones

I thought the noise might improve as they wear a bit more ... you reckon it will only get worse? The insides got worn while they were on the front (wheel alignment done since) but now they are on the back they are unbelievably noisy. Looks like im up for another 2 tyres.
PS the tyres I put on the front (Yoky Advan 103) are great. The improved turn-in is unreal.

I replaced my original set with Yokos -- am now back to 040s (but 235/40) and have to say....the 040s are better...just my 2c ;)

I am getting a feint rattle on initial acceleration in first. I notice it more in tunnels where I get the echo. It is almost like when your catalitic converter fails and makes a rattling sound, however it does not happen all the time and only happens from a standing start. It is weird.

Suggestions appreciated.

Cheers

Gibbo,

I have the same noise and it is like the tranny or something underneath is shaking.

I have been going to the dealership, demanding they have a look at the engine mount. It is booked on next Tuesday have to it replaced.

Hopefully this will solve the problem since it is a problem that only develop since last Oct ;)

Let me know how it goes Taka because I know my dealer will blame the exhaust that I have. I would like to have someone else who has found the issue so I can tell my dealer about it.

Cheers

Gibbo,

My thoughts are.....wind up the windows and check your oil pressure if all ok..then wind down windows in the tunnel revv the engine and enjoy the engine noise!! :rock:

Let me know how it goes Taka because I know my dealer will blame the exhaust that I have. I would like to have someone else who has found the issue so I can tell my dealer about it.

Gibbo, I have the upgraded engine mount for 2 days now. It did not really solve my problem of noise at the dash but

--- It is not as loud - now I think it is the line of my gauges - anyhow.

--- The vibration sensation is gone, particularly when first the clutch is engaged from standing still, both 1st gear and reverse. You can hear the "clunk clunk clunk" noise before but it is now gone.

--- Idling is much quieter.

It is not bad from the service from City Mazda. It costs nothing and it is the best :mdrmed:

I get a small chirping noise near the rear suspension when going over bumps. Somedays it does it, somedays it does not.

It can be heard from inside and outside the car (driving by). It's annoying.

Not sure where to begin looking yet.

Mine occurs in the front right suspension. More noticeable when I first take it out every morning. Its gone by the end of the day.

60K's clocked over 2 years and 7months. No problems.

Sorry to bring up an old thread, but here's something thats been bothering me since i bought my car in February this year.

When I hit bumps, or when I have the music up loud, I get a tapping sound from the passenger seat. This only happens when there's no passenger.

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this, and whether I should mention this at next service?

I also had the squeaking brakes, but they replaced them at 10K service and they rarely squeak now.

check the pax seatbelt buckle is not bumping agains the plastic piece on the side of the seat. To sure, just push the buckle further up the belt

thanks for that timbo - ill try that tomorrow :rolleyes:

I've got this plasticky banging noise when I let the clutch go after moving the car slowly up hill in first gear ... it's bizarre. It's done it since new though, so I don't think it's a serious problem at all.

I do get wind noise from the drivers door seal, it started about 10000kms ago and seems to be getting worse. It makes a lot more road noise than my MX6 ... which I still have ... and is kinda more fun to drive around corners.

I get a loud squealing noise when I drop the clutch in first gear at 9000rpm - I think its coming from the back tyres, but can't be sure.

Its often followed by some smoke at the rear of the car and rapid acceleration.

Anyone else got this problem?


deano :-)

I've got this plasticky banging noise when I let the clutch go after moving the car slowly up hill in first gear ... it's bizarre. It's done it since new though, so I don't think it's a serious problem at all.

I do get wind noise from the drivers door seal, it started about 10000kms ago and seems to be getting worse. It makes a lot more road noise than my MX6 ... which I still have ... and is kinda more fun to drive around corners.

As to the first - if you're only hearing it once each time you take off, it's probably the ABS self-testing thingo (sorry - can't remember all the details this morning - have a look at the '10 things' sticky thread - think it's in there).

As to the second - I thought I had something similar but it turned out to be vibration from the piece of trim immediately above the driver's door armrest. Try leaning your elbow against it and see if it goes away - that's how I figured it out.

I get a loud squealing noise when I drop the clutch in first gear at 9000rpm - I think its coming from the back tyres, but can't be sure.

Its often followed by some smoke at the rear of the car and rapid acceleration.

Anyone else got this problem?


deano :-)

What problem? :mdrmed:

I get a loud squealing noise when I drop the clutch in first gear at 9000rpm - I think its coming from the back tyres, but can't be sure.

Its often followed by some smoke at the rear of the car and rapid acceleration.

Anyone else got this problem?


deano :-)deano, keep a close eye on this, can lead to stalking, I've heard of extreme cases where hungry Bob Jane sales guy's camp out the front of yoiur house!! :yelrotflm

M

deano, keep a close eye on this, can lead to stalking, I've heard of extreme cases where hungry Bob Jane sales guy's camp out the front of yoiur house!! :yelrotflm

M


Thats okay Mike - the quicker I can torch the OEM bridgestones, the quicker I can justify some decent rubber!

Does anyone have a set of OEM rims spare that they want to get rid of? PM me with a price.

deano.

Does anyone have a set of OEM rims spare that they want to get rid of? PM me with a price.

You're 6 months too late for mine. :mdrmed:

You're 6 months too late for mine. :mdrmed:

If I go down the FI road I'll need another set of rims for race tyres.

If I go down the FI road I'll need another set of rims for race tyres.

A number of people who have gone FI, including MA for that matter, have gone to a staggered setup (8.5f, 9.5r), so maybe keep that in mind. :)

Of course, there is a lengthy thread on the do's and don't's of staggered wheel widths in the technical section.

Just some food for thought before you buy. :angel:

A number of people who have gone FI, including MA for that matter, have gone to a staggered setup (8.5f, 9.5r), so maybe keep that in mind. :)

Of course, there is a lengthy thread on the do's and don't's of staggered wheel widths in the technical section.

Just some food for thought before you buy. :angel:


Pretty sure I want to stick with the standard wheels. I won't be lowering or doing any body kits etc - standard wheels and body.

I might look at something to reduce body roll. Other than that it already handles pretty good.

Some decent rubber on the standard rims should be good enough to keep it hooked up reasonably well.

My friend bought his new STI WRX around last night - it comes out standard with these semi-race looking tyres on it - looked pretty unreal and they arn't wearning badly when you consider what they are.

He estimates he'll get 18,000km out of them.

deano.

I might look at something to reduce body roll. Other than that it already handles pretty good.

Give the Whiteline sways a try. Much cheaper than the MS versions and they do a good job at reducing body roll.

He estimates he'll get 18,000km out of them.

deano.

They are RE070 and they only comes in 17".

Some people use them within 8000km.

They are RE070 and they only comes in 17".

Some people use them within 8000km.


Mine have done 18,000km and would have that much again left in them.

A lot of guys recommended a higher pressure than 32psi - I've done some playing and I currently have 36psi in there.

I can say for sure, that the higher pressure gives you *less* grip. It might make the tyres a little more predictable and you can do more of a controlled slide - but the grip is heaps less.

I'm booked to do an advanced driving course which is structred at Tarmac Rally - I got their introductry kit today - they say to have your tyres set not higher than 32psi on the day of the training.

If you're running the higher pressures, drop them down to 32 and go hit your favourite twisties and let me know what you think

deano.