I have a 2005 AT, stock everything. When driving along at slow speeds (less then 10-15mph) I feel a rubbing/jerking sensation coming from the wheels. It is just for a split second and happens when going straight or turning. I can't identify which wheel it comes from and it doesn't seem to match up with the wheels turning, like if one of the tires had a problem issue. I know this is a generic description, but I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction for what to check.

 

Does your car have limited slip?
Could be that you are feeling.

I feel that mostly when I'm backing up while turning (like exiting a parking spot).

BC.

 

Do you feel it only when turning? I had an issue within a few months of ownership where if I was making really slow tight turns like into a parking spot or into my driveway I would hear a noise that sounded like rubbing. Turned out to be the diff. Took it to mazda and they just replaced the fluid and thats all it took.

 

Not sure, but you might need to balance and probably rotate your tires too. If the problem continues, then you might have to have your wheels checked.

 

possibly lower control arm ball joint? just throwin that out there

 

Do you hear any noises at all when it happens? I had a weird popping happening on low speed turns in parking lots and it went away once I torqued all my lug nuts to about 100 ft/lbs, there is a tsb about this floating around somewhere. It has been a while since it happened but I think you could even slightly feel it holding the wheel.

Does not sound exactly like your problem, but just throwing it out there. Make sure you check the insides of all your tires, if you think its actually rubbing then damage may have already happened. I have had tires come apart on the inside and the only way to tell is to either take it off and inspect or feel with your hand.

 

I don't think I have that. This is a new issue that has recently cropped up.

 

I did have that when I first got the car, but have not noticed it recently. Maybe this is an extension of the issue. I wonder if there is a DIY for the fluid.

 

When it's a ball joint, isn't it normally a knocking/clicking issue? I'm no mechanic, but I'll add this to my list of things to check.

 

I do hear a "rubbing" sound, but maybe it's from the car vibration, as when i have the windows down, I can't tell any volume difference in the sound.

 

I will have that done and see if anything is noticed.

 

Looks like things I have to do:

1. Check my Differential fluid: DIY here http://www.5cats.org/rx8/trans_diff_refill/
2. Check lower control arm ball joint
3. Check lug nuts (I don't think this is it, but when I have my tires checked, i'll have them retighten the nuts.)

Of these, I think the Differential fluid might be the ticket. I hope to get to these this weekend and update with the results.

 

Its probably not the lug nuts yea, but you would be surprised at what shops torque them to. Whenever I get my tires rotated I go home and check the torque and some are near 85, some are as low as 40.