Groan noise around front tire *updated*

[duragezic]

Argh. I just bought a 2008 Mazda 3 last month and it seemed fine and was checked out by a mechanic without issue. It has 45k miles on it.

In the past week or two, I've heard what I guess is best described as a groan sound coming from the passenger side front wheel area. It sounds like it has gotten worse and even recently makes a sort of clunk when going very slow.

It is easiest heard going 15-30mph straight where it makes the sort of groan sound a couple of times per second.

It doesn't make any click or seem to matter whether I'm turning, in fact it's generally driving straight where it's most audible. So it sounds like not a CV joint. I checked the CV boot on that side and it looks like perfect condition too.

Any ideas? I can't fix it myself but just want to have an idea. Also I have powertrain warranty on the vehicle and it does actually cover some drivetrain components, like CV joints and wheel bearings, but I don't think it's either of those. I'm just hoping it's not major or is covered.

updated with diagnosis 4/8/10

 

[jlee]

My first thought is either wheel bearing or something silly like fender liner rubbing on the tire..

 

[Squisher]

To check a wheel bearing, jack up the wheel off the ground, then see if there is any play in it by pushing in at the top of the tire. My guess is wheel bearing too.

 

[duragezic]

Well, I guess it could be. The reason I thought it wasn't a wheel bearing was the car I traded in had a bad wheel bearing for like 8+ months (really drove it too long on that). The overall sound and feel from that is a lot different than what I'm experienced here.

But it could be still. In fact, a wheel bearing or CV joint would be preferable because they're covered under the factory warranty. Also there is a used car state law that covers certain items for a couple months after purchase, but the drivetrain items covered by that are all included by the factory warranty, and less items.

 

[duragezic]

Dealer's diagnosis today:

A carriage bushing (?) in the transmission and the entire transmission needs to be replaced!

Not that anyone could have diagnosed that online, especially with my lousy description of noise coming from near the tire (though it does sound like its there), but thought I'd update.

Though it's severe, it was a huge relief when he said that, because I have a little bit of factory powertrain warranty left and obviously that's covered. On the other hand I hope it's not a bad sign, with something like that happening at 45k miles. Luckily though I don't drive much so the 15k miles left on the warranty should be nearly two more years for me.

 

[sonicdrummer20]

CV joint?

 

[StageLeft]

CV joint?

He updated his post what 28 minutes before yours?

Anyway, epic fail a transmission on that dying at 45k.

 

[duragezic]

He updated his post what 28 minutes before yours?

Anyway, epic fail a transmission on that dying at 45k.

I'd rather have a Mazda 3 sitting in the garage with a dead transmission than a working Prius.


Ooooohhh burn!





No I agree that's pretty messed up. My previous car was a 1993 Mazda 626 which had one of the worst automatic transmissions in a while. They had problems with them (on the 4 cyl) for like 8 years. Yet mine had 195k miles on it when I got rid of it and had only 1 or 2 fluid changes that entire time.

Could be and hopefully is just a fluke. Mazda 3s seem to be pretty squared away cars.