So I had an alignment a little while back, and ever since i've been getting a clunking noise when turning slowly. It happens on either side and usually at very low speed(first gear).

Should I be worried? I can not for the life of me figure out what it is. I don't think it's the endlinks...but I really have no idea.

Could it be the diff? It sounds like it's coming from that area...

If anyone has any insight on this i'd really appreciate it! This is driving me crazy.

Thanks,

Shumster

 

I had a bad end link nut. It would keep backing off a little bit causing a clunk. Replaced the nut and no more clunk.

 

Lower control arm bushings.

 

Ok, I tightened up my endlinks and it didn't do anything. Checked the lug nuts. Checked the sway bar bushings, lower control arm bushings and just the overall suspension components and can't find anything!!!! This is driving me crazy.

Little more info. It doesn't make sounds going over bump, only when I turn hard, it makes a single loud clunk at the apex. Sounds like it is coming from my rear right wheel well. If I stand on the back of the car and bounce up and down it doesn't do anything either.

I read on another thread that maybe it could be a loose alignment bolt? Is that a possibility? I don't even know where the alignment bolts are though.

 

The alignment bolts are at the connection between the control arms and the chassis. The RX8 has an independent front suspension, which means upper and lower control arms. Where these controls arms meet the chassis is where you will find the cam bolt adjusters and the bushings I was talking about. In the front suspension there will be cam bolt adjusters for caster and camber. Toe is handled with tie-rods. All of these joints have bushings on both the chassis side and the wheel hub side. A failing/seized bushing will cause a noise like you are describing.

I previously had a lower front control arm bushing seize up on the cam bolt, which I found when trying to adjust camber. The front had a loud clunk at low speed when turning the wheel sharply. It is possible that you either have a loose alignment bolt or a failing bushing. Also, if you indeed have a loose alignment bolt, then you will also have a failing bushing. If your cam adjustment bolt is loose, then your cam will adjust to the least resistance position during suspension travel. This will cause your cam to wear a groove into the steel sleeve of the bushing, and soon the cam bolt will seize to the steel sleeve.

Get your car up on stands/lift to unload the suspension and check all of the suspension joints.

 

Have you done any work on the differential lately? I had an issue when I first got my car that appeared after a few thousand miles where the car would make a clunk and whirring noise from the rear end on very slow, full lock turns. The FoMoCo differential resolved the issue. (sticky differential)

Not sure if that is exactly what is happening here, but figured id add some areas to watch for

PS: Mazdatrix sells the exact additive that my dealership used.

 

I think I solved it!!! I found a missing bolt that holds the top of the shock in. I think someone forgot or left it loose when they did my springs :/

On the downside I discovered a new issue

https://www.rx8club.com/series-ii-te...7/#post4622727