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Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it ForumIf you've got a problem you just can't figure out, a noise you can't diagnose, or a Check Engine Light that won't go away, ask about it here!
Looking for a little help finding the source of a couple rattles in my 2011 Civic coupe. It's making an annoying rattle over harder bumps that seems to have 2 sources - right rear and left rear. I hear it a lot better at low speeds, but I suppose road noise washes out the sound somewhat. Railroad tracks definitely bring it out. I had the shocks replaced and I installed new sway bar end links and bushings. I suspected the rear shocks weren't up against the car tightly, but I had the shop check that out and they said they're tight. I got under the car and pried on all the bushings, but I don't see any movement that I wouldn't expect from a rubber bushing. I'm suspecting the upper control arms, mainly because they show some rust. I'll try to attach a picture.
Anyone have a suggestion as to what might be most likely causing this noise? I hate to just buy parts hoping it'll go away, but that may be what I have to do.
Actually, it doesn't require harder bumps to produce the rattle. A very small bump does it, as long as it happens fairly rapidly. I can drive slowly through my large yard and produce the rattle.
I've looked at everything, yeah. Took a mallet and tapped everything. Everything's in place and nothing seems loose. It's definitely associated with the suspension. Two rattles that sound exactly the same. One left, one right. Kind of a mid-frequency knock/rattle most every time I go over a bump. In town, over pavement creases it does it every time.
Update. I bought and installed a set of rear upper control arms, and crossed my fingers. No dice. Gave the entire rear end another good going over, especially the suspension. I found nothing that didn't seem right up to snuff. No slop anywhere. I decided to remove the shocks. The mounts all seemed good and tight and proper. The shocks seemed normal in their action. Found no play anywhere. So I drove the car without the shocks, and the noises from the left and right rear both vanished. So, back to the place that sold me the shocks. I don't see a brand name on them, but I got the lowest priced ones they had for my car. So my cheap shocks cost me a lot of headache and a set upper of control arms I didn't need. I hope the Car-X place where I bought them does me right with some better quality shocks. These are obviously defective. I had hoped I'd find that the mounts were somehow causing the problem, but I found no issues and neither did the guy at the Car-X. Anyway, don't buy cheap shocks.
I typed a reply, but it didn't seem to make it to the thread, so I'll try again.
I replaced the upper control arms hoping that was the source of the rattle/knock. No dice. I removed both rear shocks and went over some bumps - no noise whatsoever. The mounting points are not the issue. The noise is definitely not coming from the upper mounting point. I put the rear seats down and had my buddy drive over bumps while I laid in the back. The noise was coming from below the trunk floor, and not the upper shock mounting point. The lower mounting points seem just fine. The shocks cinch up tight and there's no undue slop between the bolt and the sleeve. So... the cheap shocks HAVE to be the problem. Back to the shop Friday for replacements. I guess the moral of the story is that cheap shocks aren't worth the savings. The guy at the shop said they were Gabriel brand. I'd prefer to get a better shock, but the guy at the shop seems to want to put the same ones on because it would be covered by warranty and wouldn't cost me more. At this point I don't care. I'd prefer to get a refund and pay the extra for better shocks. I'll follow up when this is resolved.
12-06-2017
