So a few months back I had found out my front left rim was cracked and I couldn't find a chrome oem wheel to replace it so I had to get the original alloy wheel. Ever since I got it replaced, I been having issues with noises coming from the front left side. It sounds like a thumping noise and it gradually increases as I accelerate. This only happens when I'm driving straight or bank/turn left, but when I turn right or brake, the noise stops. Then another separate issue is brought up when I brake as well. When I start to brake, another noise pops up and im thinking something might be wrong with the rotor? I'm going to take my 8 to the shop this weekend and get it checked but I just wanted to figure out what is wrong beforehand so I can know what I'm dealing with. I been searching the forum and found similar issues but I just want to make sure. I have a link to a video of me driving where both sounds are heard loud and clear just so you guys can get a better understanding of what it could be.

 

This started when you had the wheel replaced, were you in a prior accident? I would stop driving it, sounds as though you were driving with loose lug nuts or a few broken studs

 

What caused your rim to crack in the first place, did you hit something? It is kind of hard to just suddenly find out your rim is cracked, you had to have done something.

Really it could be all sorts of things there, have you gotten under it to check for any loose or bent parts? When you get under there you might as well check your wheel bearings for the front, you can easily do it with even the oem jack. Just jack up the front on one side and wiggle the wheel towards and away from your chest, if you cannot get it to wiggle then your bearing is good. However if you can get back and forth movement from it then there is a problem there. You need to check everything on that side.

Is the rim you replaced the same size and everything? If its a different rim that could be your problem right there.

 

I never knew my rim was cracked until I had got new tires. But I'm guessing I had hit a curb or pothole pretty hard. that's happened a couple times. My 8 is completely stock, it's a 40th anniversary so I'm guessing those come stock with chrome Mazda wheels. Since I couldn't find a replacement for the chrome cracked wheel, I had to get the alloys, so now I'm riding around with 3 chrome rims and 1 alloy, Lol. But yea i been suspecting it might be my wheel bearing. I will try to jack it up today or tomorrow and check

 

Okay I finally was able to lift my car up today and check. It seems like I have bad bearings, I'm able to move the wheel back and forth Also the brake seems to engage a little after I give the wheel a complete turn.

RX8 Bad Wheel Bearing - YouTube