1.7lciviclx2001

Ok.. so my car has stock everything 2001 civic lx coupe 5spd 225,000 miles..
and about 15,000 miles ago there was a rattling sound coming from both the left and right side.. i thought ball joint.. so i replaced the lower control arm and ball joint on both front sides.. the sound was still there.. now im wondering if its the struts.. (when i hit a bump my car bounces a couple times, also there is no abnormal wearing of the tires) the sound is coming from under the whole front end.. so im thing either "stabilizer bar bushings" or "struts"

Does anybody know.. if you need to hear it, i can post a video on youtube.. let me know thanks

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

tie rods can make clunking sounds if theyre loose. also if an endlink is broken for the stabilizer bar, it can hit the car when going over bumps.

1.7lciviclx2001

I just installed a Sway Bar repair kit from autozone on both sides... it didnt do anything.. Ill check the tie rods tonight

MoreRicePlease

From what you've noted, it seems to me that you could definitely use some new front struts. I have been experiencing some issues, and also am considering new front struts. Steering wheel wobbles when my passenger side goes through a few pot holes one after another, or when i hit a pothole going 30+ mph. My car also fails the bump test miserably. I figure the struts are getting so week that they just lose control of the tire and shake vigorously from potholes. Any recommendations out there for some good oem replacement struts? I've heard good things about sensa trac.

sdaidoji

iTrader: (1)

define rattling... for god's sake, none of the suspension stuff rattles...

MoreRicePlease

I've got a clunking noise. Happens when i pull into driveways that are slight inclines, or occasionally when i turn corners. It only happens while im turning. I've been noticing the sound more and more often too. It's almost like a popping sound. I've replaced the stabilizer bar links, so rule that out. Does that sound like a tie rod end to you guys?

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

thats what mine did every time i would turn or jerk the wheel to one side while driving. tie rod almost fell off.

MoreRicePlease

Damn, Looks like I'll bee doing some front end work here pretty soon

Hondaguy89

Check the engine heat shield and catalytic converter heat shield. If they are loose it can cause a terrible rattling noise.

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

x2. i took all mine off (except the very small cat shield) cause i got sick of the rattles even when i shut a door it would do it lol. the bolts get rusty and the metal pieces get too loose.

Mad Dog Tannen

For god's sake do not use Monroe shocks, they are complete garbage. Get KYB's they are a little more but well worth it!

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

haha agreed. monroe is worse than stock

sdaidoji

iTrader: (1)

Hey, I just remembered a suspension part that was rattling in my car

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

too much auto-x? lol

sdaidoji

iTrader: (1)

LOL!
don't think it came from autoX or track days, though. not sure why, but they got cracked like that and i replaced both fronts (easier than pressing in the bushings and cheaper). Now i have the left side as spare and can take it to someplace to press in bushings if i need.

MoreRicePlease

I jacked her up this morning, and took a good look at the tie rod ends, the bushings look to be in pretty good condition. I did however notice that both of the ball joints were showing some signs of wear. The bottom of the bushings had a small amount of grease on them. It didn't look serious. But i would like to solve the popping sound issue at least, hopefully before i swap out the front struts.

MoreRicePlease

Anybody ever experience popping sounds that were the result of a bad ball joint(s)? I'm really trying to figure this one out on my own; don't want to take her to the shop!