If you replace suspension with OEM, it's best to do AT MINIMUM both fronts or both rears. I would do all four, but that's just me.

You may as well go aftermarket. They are usually better than stock, and much cheaper. Many members have used the brand in your link. Research them before diving in.

NOTE: If you consider going aftermarket, you should replace all four shocks!

Thanks RX8Soldier! I was thinking that may be the case. I'll start looking through the aftermarket forums to see what folks are liking. Wouldn't need something for racing or anything, but if I can do all 4 for about the price or less or 2 OEMs, I'll def got that route.

Dave

Thank you as well, Angel. I am definitely going to try and fix this creaking noise, and with the help of that thread it will be much easier.

Did you ever find out what it is?? I have the very same problem and I can definitely say it comes from INSIDE the cabin. Sounds like something rubbing perhaps when I go over a bump or the body twists or torques. And I have had the experience that when it's cold I hear nothing but when it's warm I get the sound. Not quite a knock but somewhere between a ticking or squeak. Sounds most;y like wire hitting a body panel but i know it's not that, cuz i checked all inside as far as I could see. It drives me nuts. I thought it might be the windscreen as well. Look forward to hearing from you to see what it was. Thanks.

For me it was one of the struts being shot. Definitely a big knocking sound. Yours sounds different than what mine was.

Hi Daveydave,

I have exactly same issues with my rear left .... Mechanic told me it may be the strut and sway bar links ... I got new Sway Bar links and a lil bit used strut with mount that had little bit miles on it.. Even after installation of these the sound is there :(

I knocks more on small bumps .. lesser on bigger ones and at time on sudden acceleration and breaks ...

However he did not charge me the installation fees but now he says it might be due to the upper left control arm ... can you help me here the sound irritates me ...

Mine turned out to be the left rear strut being shot. Once it was replaced the knocking was gone. Weird that both your strut and sway bar links were replaced and it's still there. You say the strut was used, I wonder if it still may be the culprit? Or is the sound exactly the same with no decrease now?

Yeah ... its still the same .. he now says it might be the left upper control arm ... but doesn't wants to install it and then waive of the installation fee again if it that doesn't fixes it :P ....

Problem Solved for me.
 

The noise over small bumps like out of driveways and a minor pavement veriation was really irritating. I noticed when autocrossing under sharp corners also an occassional noise.

It got alot better when I changed tires. BUT it was still there.

I took the car back to Mazda to have them inspect all the bushings. They discovered that when they replaced my struts last month the tech didn't tighten the lower bolt on rear passenger side and it was backed almost all the way out. Ooops. Well it didn't hurt anything and the noise is completely gone now. At least the Service Manager was honest about it and of course no charge.