hey, i've got a 2004 mazda 3 2.3L. when i'm in reverse backing out of my driveway, i get to the end and turn the wheel all the way to the left. when doing this and going over the small bump at the end of my driveway i hear a POP come from the front somewhere. just wondering if anyone has any ideas on what could that be?

also, when going over bumps in the road or on the highway or potholes, the front suspension sounds like it's thudding instead of just bouncing over the bumps. again, just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on these.

also on a side note, can anyone tell me how many engine/transmission mounts there are for a mazda 3? i'm getting mine replaced with as many after market mounts as possible to stop engine vibration, but can't find the obvious upper left one near the belt.

thanks for any help!

 

have a look...
https://www.mazda3club.com/mazda3-mazdaspeed3-100/m3-clunking-over-bumps-ruts-54673/

as for motor mounts, there are 3 - though they are numbered something like 1, 3, 4, not sure why.
One of them is very obvious at the top of the engine, next to the serpentine belt idler pulley.
A second one is underneath the battery box, you can see it from under the car, but you need to get the battery out to get to the bolts.
The third is behind the transmission, under the car, like under your gas pedal.

 

well, i ended up replacing all 3 engine mounts...they were totally shot! and the popping and thudding was both front struts had gone bad and both front control arm joints were cracked or bad.

thanks for the help!

just wanting to update