My wife has a 2006 Mazda 3, A/T HB.
She reported to me she heard some sounds, like a high pitch or rattle in the morning when driving to work.
I took a recording and figure maybe its a lose belt or something but it would go away or simmer down after a while.

High pitch sound

I figure its just because of a cold start or water in the belts, however. Being in Southern Tx, we barely get any rain and its been very hot.

Today, she reports to me driving home with a sound that is hard to explain but sounds like its coming from the front passenger.
I have not yet seen the car to hear it and all but was wondering what may be possibilities?
I did some searches and see some people have motor mounts or TBS or Actuator issues.
Once I see the car, I will take another clip to see if its the same or another sound.

 

I had a chance to hear it more noticeably this morning.
Once again, link to hear.

Engine

I did notice when I hit the break, there is a sound too.

Brake and driving

I will probably check the brake pads and caliper this weekend, however. Any help be great on the sounds heard in this video/audio.

Thanks!

 

It sounds like an idler pulley is going out, as for the brakes give them a look first, just could be worn out. Check the pulleys first by listening while engine running and hood up, try to determine which one it could be, then remove belt and feel all the idlers, spin them also and see if any are hard to turn, squeak or are loose feeling.

 

I was thinking that and called Autozone but they not have.
The dealer also charges $175+ for the whole assembly.
They don't just sell the pulley by itself.

Anyone know of a reliable place to purchase the exact fit for a reasonable price or best price?

 

It could be the tensioner pulley assembly..... that's given a number of people issues (myself included). It's relatively cheap and a quick DIY swap. Have you tried listening directly at several pulleys with a stethoscope or something to see where it's loudest?

 

Well, I haven't been able to find the idler pulley itself, however.
I did find this. Its the assembly and was wondering if this is what you are referring to when you had the sound as well.

Gates DriveAlign® 38408 - Automatic Belt Tensioner | O'Reilly Auto Parts

I also found some comparable ones except they look different.

http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/200..._assembly.html

The first link to O'Reilly is local but the 2nd is online.
Any serious difference or things to consider? I like the local one because its obviously more affordable but the look on the mount is different. Any ideas?

I found some sources on uninstall and installing pulley(s), however. Anyone have specifics or things to consider if I do decide to get this and replace the current? The car has about 99k-103k on it.

I guess since it seems like a thing for Mazda 3 owners, this must be a Quality design thing with Mazda. What is funny is it hasn't been making the noise for a few days but it may just come back. I may just replace it anyways *hoping it is the only issue*.

 

The second one looks right. You may as well just replace the whole assembly...... it's only three bolts and popping the belt off while you remove the assembly. IIRC Mazda made an improvement in the pulley on the newer ones so the OEM one would be an improvement.

It should easily take less than 10 minutes to change. I removed mine in order to get to my thermostat for replacement.

 

When you mentioned "The second one looks right".
Would you please clarify which one in the list or all same except price difference?

If the one from O'Reilly not right in bolt patter or showing wrong item?
Gates DriveAlign® 38408 - Automatic Belt Tensioner | O'Reilly Auto Parts

 

The partsgeek one looks the same as the one on my car. I remember it having those long "tubes" where the bolts went in. Take a look at the pictures between the two and you can see the difference. Also look at the one in your car.