MajorCommonSuspension

Mazda Mazda3: BK Front Strut Top Mount Bearing Wear and Clunking

BK Front Strut Top Mount Bearing Wear and Clunking is a common suspension fault on the Mazda Mazda3 on the 2003–2009 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $280 to $700 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 37 documented faults on the Mazda Mazda3.

Vehicle: Mazda Mazda3
Years: 2003–2009
System: Suspension

This page covers the Mazda Mazda3 as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Mazda Mazda3 faults37 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the Shock absorber / strut yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The upper strut bearing plate on BK-generation Mazda3 deteriorates from water ingress into the unsealed bearing housing, allowing the thrust bearing races to develop corrosion pitting and flat spots. As the bearing loses its ability to rotate freely, the strut binds during steering lock changes and then releases suddenly, transmitting a sharp clunk or knock through the strut tower into the cabin, most pronounced at low speed when parking or traversing sharp dips.

What you would notice

Sharp clunk or knock from front suspension when turning the steering wheel at low speed
Clunking noise when the vehicle traverses speed bumps or sharp dips
Steering feels notchy or requires extra effort when turning from lock during parking

How to check it

Where to look. Front strut top mount bearing plate beneath the engine bay strut towers, both sides

With the vehicle stationary on level ground, have an assistant turn the steering wheel lock to lock slowly while listening at each front strut tower for clunking. Compress the front suspension by pushing down on the bonnet and release to reproduce binding. With the front wheels raised, check for roughness and stiction in the strut bearing by rotating the hub assembly. Inspect the rubber upper mount isolator for cracking and separation.

Parts involved: Shock absorber / strut.

What it costs to put right

$280 to $700 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Has the front suspension made any clunking or knocking noises?”
“Have the front strut top mounts or bearings ever been replaced?”
“Does the steering feel stiff or jerky when turning slowly?”

Now check the Mazda Mazda3 you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Mazda Mazda3 buyer questions

Is bk front strut top mount bearing wear and clunking serious on a Mazda Mazda3?

We rate it major and common on the Mazda Mazda3. The upper strut bearing plate on BK-generation Mazda3 deteriorates from water ingress into the unsealed bearing housing, allowing the thrust bearing races to develop corrosion pitting and flat spots. As the bearing loses its ability to rotate freely, the strut binds during steering lock changes and then releases suddenly, transmitting a sharp clunk or knock through the strut tower into the cabin, most pronounced at low speed when parking or traversing sharp dips.

How much does it cost to fix on a Mazda Mazda3?

$280 to $700 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Mazda Mazda3 years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2003–2009 Mazda Mazda3. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.