Suspension - Various Low Speed Front End Noises

Bulletin No: 02-003/09

Last Issued: 05/07/2009

Subject:
NOISE FROM FRONT STRUT AREA

APPLICABLE MODEL(S)/VINS
2001-2006 and 2008-2009 Tribute
2008-2009 Tribute Hybrid

DESCRIPTION

Some vehicles may exhibit a pop, rub, grunt, squeak, and/or creak noise from the front strut area during slow, lock-to-lock turns such as parking maneuvers. Vehicles built before Jan. 13, 2009 may also exhibit a clunk, crunch, thump, and/or knocking noise from the front strut area while driving over a series of bumps and/or rough roads.

Customers having this concern should have their vehicle repaired using the following repair procedure.

REPAIR PROCEDURE





1. Using chassis ears on front strut mounts, inspect for a pop, rub, grunt, squeak, creak, clunk, crunch, thump, and/or knocking noise from front strut area during slow parking lot type maneuvers

2. Dust Boot Greasing Procedure:

a. Safely raise vehicle on hoist.

b. Reach through spring and pull strut dust boot and jounce bumper assembly straight down, out of upper spring seat.





c. Apply locally sourced Silicone Brake Caliper Grease and Dielectric Compound.

(1) Apply to entire length of chrome strut rod above jounce bumper and 360 degrees around rod.

(2) Apply to top and sides of uppermost part of dust cover.

d. Raise dust cover so that jounce bumper is accessible and apply 360 degrees to jounce bumper itself.

e. Slide dust cover and jounce bumper upward into its original location on strut.

f. Repeat procedure on other side of vehicle.

3. Dust Boot Replacement Procedure (vehicles built ON or BEFORE 1/13/2009):

a. Remove front strut according to MS3 online instructions or Workshop Manual (section 02-13 STRUT AND SPRING - FRONT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION).

b. Disassemble front strut and replace dust boot with new part.

c. Apply Silicone Brake Caliper Grease and Dielectric Compound.

(1) Apply to entire length of chrome strut rod above jounce bumper and 360 degrees around rod.

(2) Apply to top and sides of uppermost part of dust boot.

d. Assemble front strut and install according to MS3 online instructions or Workshop Manual (section 02-13 STRUT AND SPRING - FRONT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION).

e. Repeat procedure on other side of vehicle.

4. Verify repair.





PART(S) INFORMATION





WARRANTY INFORMATION

NOTE:
^ This warranty information applies only to verified customer complaints on vehicles eligible for warranty repair.

^ This repair will be covered under Mazda's New Vehicle Limited Warranty term.

^ Additional diagnostic time cannot be claimed for this repair.