Repeated issues with struts

1055 Views 15 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Bill, 29 d ago

Noahja48

Discussion Starter · 2 mo ago

I have a 2008 3s hatch, and I've been having repeated issues with the struts. I got them replaced originally October of 2021, as the old ones which had been on there for around 70,000 miles were worn out. Unfortunately I do not have the means to do this repair myself (college student with no money, space, or tools) and had to take it to a local shop. After the first repair I had a fairly loud clunking going on right away. I got them replaced again and it seemed to be better, but after about 2 weeks the clunking started to come back. I went back to the shop and they agreed and I had them replaced again for free as they were under warranty. About a month later I go through the same thing. That time it seemed to be fine until just recently the clunking slowly came back. At this point it has been over a year after the last time I replaced them I have no idea if they are under warranty. They are monroe struts, and nearly every other suspension component in the front had been replaced prior to the original strut replacement. Does anyone have any idea if there might be more to this than having the absolute worst luck for parts?

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Grendel65

· #2 · 2 mo ago

Monroe is a quality product.
There is no real way to answer you question for what is causing it because of your limited resource and experience to do it yourself. So unfortunately, I recommend taking it to service shop and have the suspension, chassis and the subframe carefully inspected. Not saying it is...but could be as simple as a mushroomed strut tower or even a crack in a supporting area of the suspension that was not seen originally???

Grendel65

· #3 · 2 mo ago

Welcome to the forum

Philemens

· #4 · 2 mo ago

Noahja48 said:
I have a 2008 3s hatch, and I've been having repeated issues with the struts. I got them replaced originally October of 2021, as the old ones which had been on there for around 70,000 miles were worn out. Unfortunately I do not have the means to do this repair myself (college student with no money, space, or tools) and had to take it to a local shop. After the first repair I had a fairly loud clunking going on right away. I got them replaced again and it seemed to be better, but after about 2 weeks the clunking started to come back. I went back to the shop and they agreed and I had them replaced again for free as they were under warranty. About a month later I go through the same thing. That time it seemed to be fine until just recently the clunking slowly came back. At this point it has been over a year after the last time I replaced them I have no idea if they are under warranty. They are monroe struts, and nearly every other suspension component in the front had been replaced prior to the original strut replacement. Does anyone have any idea if there might be more to this than having the absolute worst luck for parts?

If it is not within the warranty period, go online to see if there is a second-hand one cheaper.

Milanomike

· #5 · 2 mo ago

If these were quick struts, that is a complete assembly. Shop simply removes old unit, installs new unit. I have read that at times the top nut that holds the mount and everything together is not properly tight. Maybe worth mentioning to the shop you use. A bit of a long shot perhaps, but you never know until you check.

Reactions: 1

theblooms

· #6 · 2 mo ago

Noahja48 said:
They are monroe struts

Found your problem right there.

Like Moog, Monroe stuff is terrific on older American cars and especially trucks. But everything those two companies make for Japanese cars is total and complete garbage.

I went down this same road with Monroe Quick Struts on my 2004 MZ3, and I didn't even make it out of my driveway before I knew I dun goofed.

KYB Excel G's or OEM is the only way to go without spending Koni money.

Reactions: 3

Grendel65

· #7 · 2 mo ago

theblooms said:
KYB Excel G's or OEM is the only way to go without spending Koni money.

Yup ^^^^
If you can get for your application KYB gas-adjust they are on par with KONI and less expensive.
Sadly because the GAS-adjust does create a much firmer ride quality the Excel G popularity has been greater over the years for an improvement over most application OEM dampener , so KYB makes less applications for the Gas Adjust line of their dampeners.

glawrie2

· #8 · 2 mo ago

Noahja48 said:
I have a 2008 3s hatch, and I've been having repeated issues with the struts. I got them replaced originally October of 2021, as the old ones which had been on there for around 70,000 miles were worn out. Unfortunately I do not have the means to do this repair myself (college student with no money, space, or tools) and had to take it to a local shop. After the first repair I had a fairly loud clunking going on right away. I got them replaced again and it seemed to be better, but after about 2 weeks the clunking started to come back. I went back to the shop and they agreed and I had them replaced again for free as they were under warranty. About a month later I go through the same thing. That time it seemed to be fine until just recently the clunking slowly came back. At this point it has been over a year after the last time I replaced them I have no idea if they are under warranty. They are monroe struts, and nearly every other suspension component in the front had been replaced prior to the original strut replacement. Does anyone have any idea if there might be more to this than having the absolute worst luck for parts?

I had an '08 Mazda 3 had a clunk noise on the right back for 10 years replaced all struts still had the noise finally one day I crawled up underneath of it with a flashlight. it was a broken spring... about the last inch of the spring was broken and it rattled inside the housing.

glawrie2

· #9 · 2 mo ago

Noahja48 said:
I have a 2008 3s hatch, and I've been having repeated issues with the struts. I got them replaced originally October of 2021, as the old ones which had been on there for around 70,000 miles were worn out. Unfortunately I do not have the means to do this repair myself (college student with no money, space, or tools) and had to take it to a local shop. After the first repair I had a fairly loud clunking going on right away. I got them replaced again and it seemed to be better, but after about 2 weeks the clunking started to come back. I went back to the shop and they agreed and I had them replaced again for free as they were under warranty. About a month later I go through the same thing. That time it seemed to be fine until just recently the clunking slowly came back. At this point it has been over a year after the last time I replaced them I have no idea if they are under warranty. They are monroe struts, and nearly every other suspension component in the front had been replaced prior to the original strut replacement. Does anyone have any idea if there might be more to this than having the absolute worst luck for parts?

I had an '08 Mazda 3 had a rattle in the back right for 10 years could never figure out finally one day I crawled underneath with a flashlight one inch of the back spring had broken and rattled inside the spring housing.

LolaPotter

· #10 · 2 mo ago

Noahja48 said:
I have a 2008 3s hatch, and I've been having repeated issues with the struts. I got them replaced originally October of 2021, as the old ones which had been on there for around 70,000 miles were worn out. Unfortunately I do not have the means to do this repair myself (college student with no money, space, or tools) and had to take it to a local shop. After the first repair I had a fairly loud clunking going on right away. I got them replaced again and it seemed to be better, but after about 2 weeks the clunking started to come back. I went back to the shop and they agreed and I had them replaced again for free as they were under warranty. About a month later I go through the same thing. That time it seemed to be fine until just recently the clunking slowly came back. At this point it has been over a year after the last time I replaced them I have no idea if they are under warranty. They are monroe struts, and nearly every other suspension component in the front had been replaced prior to the original strut replacement. Does anyone have any idea if there might be more to this than having the absolute worst luck for parts?

I have a 2022 Mazda3 and a strut had to be replaced at 6900 miles. Seriously. Warranty covered it, yes, but am I now in a lifetime cycle of strut issues?!

theblooms

· #11 · 2 mo ago

At only 6900 miles, that has to be a fluke bad part.

Grendel65

· #12 · 2 mo ago

theblooms said:
At only 6900 miles, that has to be a fluke bad part.

theblooms you know ....
there are always some members on forums reading past response should indicate something...

LolaPotter

· #13 · 2 mo ago

theblooms said:
At only 6900 miles, that has to be a fluke bad part.

I think it’s a lemon. It was the transfer that had to be replaced and that problem damaged the strut. $4395 in repairs at 6800 miles and going back to the shop Monday for a rattle in the rear dash area. I’ve concluded these cars just aren’t built well.

theblooms

· #14 · 2 mo ago

LolaPotter said:
I think it’s a lemon. It was the transfer that had to be replaced and that problem damaged the strut. $4395 in repairs at 6800 miles and going back to the shop Monday for a rattle in the rear dash area. I’ve concluded these cars just aren’t built well.

No, yours just isn't built well. Mazdas are absolutely top of the line for reliability, even besting Lexus, no lie. I'm on my 5th one, (6th if you count my B3000, but that's just a rebadeged Ranger), and they have all been exceptional.

Zoom-Zoom for life!

Reactions: 1

Grendel65

· #15 · 2 mo ago

I have read a few responses from that one member, and nothing point s to a "lemon" Mazda mainly there are to many different effected areas that in the computer control for quality assembly at the plant as well assembled partly before they are all assembled as a group or combined which if it were a Lemon would statistically and randomly not be reasonable and I doubt calculatable. There is likely more to the story either before or after that member purchased that Mazda, IMHO!

I think some do not understand the lemon law or what a true lemon manufactured vehicle represents and is defined in the law? And if they feel they have one than they should do the legal process instead of posting a grievance on a forum that really service no purpose. And again, this is my opinion only!

Bill

· #16 · 29 d ago

theblooms said:
Found your problem right there.
I went down this same road with Monroe Quick Struts on my 2004 MZ3, and I didn't even make it out of my driveway before I knew I dun goofed.

I have to agree with you. I put Monroe quick struts on the front of the ‘08 hatch, then put the Monroe shocks on the back. It was fine for awhile but the car now sounds like an old buckboard wagon on a rocky trail. Waste of money and labor.

Reactions: 1

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