CRO8TIA

I drive an 04 6mt,78,000 klm's, over the past month or so I have heard a creaking noise from the F/R suspension,when suspension is working or turning right it is very noticeable. I had it in the air several times to inspect what I thought to be the ball joints dry/out of lube.They weren't. Took it to the dealer,they couldn't pinpoint the noise but suggested I swap out the shocks,that didn't sound like it was the problem as I tried to explain to them the shocks don't rotate when turning.So I gave everything a bath in WD40,the noise disappeared, then the penny dropped ,up in the air again to check the rubber bushings in the control arms,turn's out the front bushing was flogged out in the lower control arm.Has anyone else had this problem and are the bushing's available thru Mazda.?

kevin22

try greasing the sway bar bushings.

dryheat

I just got my '09 Mazda RX8 back from the dealer yesterday and the creaking noise which I thought to be suspension related has been solved. It was actually a clearance problem with the plate under the engine interfering with the engine oil pan. The mechanic removed the plate and observed wear marks on it as well as wear marks on the engine oil pan. He worked through the problem with a rep from Mazda and had the car for (2) days. This car was essentially brand new 563 miles and this issue of creaking was driving me crazy! Low speed turning on flat surfaces and light grades, left and right turns initiated the creaking. The mechanic believes that there wil be a TSB written for this one as one would believe that it exist to some extent with all vehicles. They spaced the plate a little lower to give more clearance and the problem was solved. He has forwarded pictures of the wear marks on to Mazda. Thanks to a very observant mechanic this issue is put to rest!

CRO8TIA

Updated info.
It wasn't a worn front bush in the lower control arm, it was the lower arm itself,it had split through the ally on the casting seam on the inside of the LCA, allowing the rubber bush to move in a lateral motion (left -right),it had open up 10mm-3/8".

RenKat

Recall 3405G

CRO8TIA

Thanks RenKat, but here in Croatia Mazda does not recognize any recalls..
I just had a lower arm sent from Montgomery Mazda Charlotte NC. for $166.00, from Mazda here the cost was $750.00 when converted to our currency.
On top of that,here we have to pay tax on the shipping cost's.