We have a 2008 MX5 grand touring with automatic transmission. It recently started making an unusual noise when pulling out of a parking space. It is a metalic sounding clank coming from what seems like the left rear of the car. It only happens when the car has been sitting for awhile parked, then you back out, turn, then when you start to pull forward the noise happens. If you try to replicate the problem by backing up and pulling forward, it does not occur. Seems like the car has to sit for awhile. The noise can sometimes be so loud that people in the parking lot will turn to look. Other times it is not loud at all, but does occur.

We have been successful in demonstrating this noise occurance to the service writer, mechanics, and service manager of our local dealership. They have worked on the car trying to find something loose to no avail.

Here is the kicker: Mazda tells them it is a normal noise and will not authorize any parts replacement. They say it is a normal noise made by the ABS pressure self test, and only occurs on vehicles with ABS and Stability control.

We have found no one else that has had this problem, nor did it seem to occur for the first near year we had the car.

Has anyone else encountered anything like this, or have any ideas. We need help.

Thanks

Ron Lattner

 

Is it a single clank or several? Either way, it almost sounds like something wrong with the differential or one of the joints on the axle. When you back up, most, if not allof the torque is to the left wheel. Possibly something is moving or twisting slightly...Then, when you start to move forward it moves or twists back suddenly causing a clank noise. Similar to a bad CV joint on a front wheel drive car. Really just an educated guess but I'd have the dealer check to make surenothing is sloppy in the differential or rear axles. There are definite tolerances that need to be correct to preventdamage.

 

Hi Ron:[/align][/align]I have the same exact car, 2008 Miata with Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), autotrans and stability control. When Iback out of my garageand start going forward there is a loud noise when I get up to about 5 mph. This is normal and is part of the ABS braking system self-check....most cars with ABS make this noise, some just more than others.You can look through Google and find this complaint with Honda, Nissan, BMW to name a few. Mazda alludes to this in the ownersmanual but their wording is somewhat vague, here it is from the manual: "The sound of the ABS operating may be heard when starting the engine or immediately after starting the vehicle. However, it does not indicate a malfunction"[/align][/align]My Miata's ABS self check is pretty loud but I've just learned to live with it, once you know what it is you quit worrying about it. Also so you won't feel alone here's a posting I pulled off of another miataforum at http://forum.miata.net[/align][/align]
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[/align]"I just got a new 2008 Copper Red GT with premium package 2, sport suspension, and 6-speed manual, and I am having too much fun driving this fantastic car. I have been waiting two years to buy a new NC and it's hard to believe it is now sitting in my garage. There is one strange thing that happens. When I start the car after it has been parked for awhile, after backing out of the driveway, when I start moving forward with just a little speed I hear a knocking sound just once coming from the rear. I can then drive it around, putting it in reverse then forward again, and never hear the sound again. The next time I crank it up after it has been parked for a while, when I move forward I hear the same knocking sound one time. I sounds sort of like when doors lock automatically, but it's coming from the rear of the car. Does anyone have clue?"[/align][/align]Hope this helps![/align]Gary06

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