Gen 1 MPS3...I've had this clunky sound from the front left and right suspension, at lower speeds over uneven terrain, since soon after I bought the car 2nd hand. It was minor, and I thought probably what all Mazda3's do. After a year, my mechanic noticed and thought it was the sway-bar drop links, but that it was not urgent.
So I ordered some online very cheap, from England, and in the weeks before the next service the clunking sound over uneven terrain at lower speeds seemed to disappear, so I thought it must be wear getting worse, and I got him to replace the drop-links. Hey presto, the clunking sound is back! I told him and he put the car up on a hoist with suspension loaded up, and could find no movement or play in the front end, pointing him to the front strut top bearing. He said it's a big job, obviously, dropping everything to replace the struts.
Is there a better way than renewing the struts, and what are the options?
Cheers!