Left Front Shock Knocks During Full Lock Turns
Thread Starter
OF top 99.5% creator (Formerly of the Puffinblunts variety)
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,634
Likes: 109
Rep Power: 209 
Left Front Shock Knocks During Full Lock Turns
1998 Civic EX stock coupe, A/T, 149K miles. Car purchased 6 months ago.
Has a set of KYB front and rear shocks (or front struts if you prefer).
During full-lock left turns there is a knocking noise that I have isolated to the left front shock/spring. Replaced left front CV axle 3,000 miles ago, hub, bearings,ball joint, tie rods all in good shape. Right front CV axle in good shape. 100% sure it's coming from left front shock spring. Shocks and springs do not bounce and seem to be in very good working order. Could this be due to improper installation? Top hat issue? Anyone experience this?
Has a set of KYB front and rear shocks (or front struts if you prefer).
During full-lock left turns there is a knocking noise that I have isolated to the left front shock/spring. Replaced left front CV axle 3,000 miles ago, hub, bearings,ball joint, tie rods all in good shape. Right front CV axle in good shape. 100% sure it's coming from left front shock spring. Shocks and springs do not bounce and seem to be in very good working order. Could this be due to improper installation? Top hat issue? Anyone experience this?
Last edited by Wankenstein; Jul 14, 2015 at 07:49 PM.
Re: Left Front Shock Knocks During Full Lock Turns
Thread Starter
OF top 99.5% creator (Formerly of the Puffinblunts variety)
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,634
Likes: 109
Rep Power: 209 Re: Left Front Shock Knocks During Full Lock Turns
I thought so too at first: inspected and tested them (as best I could) and they are not the issue. Pretty sure GolNat has nailed it and I plan to rent a spring compressor today and check it out. Thanks for the replies and I will follow up with results.
The legs in the public bathroom stall
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 382
Likes: 6
From: MURICA
Rep Power: 141 Re: Left Front Shock Knocks During Full Lock Turns
Just asking, but isn't a 1998 civic a double wishbone suspension? The shock is just that a shock. Yes it is a coilover, but it is still a shock and not technicaly a strut. I am just pointing it out because the shock does NOT turn with the suspension. Are you sure all the bushings are in good condition? I can be hard to see the bushings on the upper control arm since they are way up in the wheelwell. If you can get the noise to occur consistently have someone turn the wheel and place your hands on various components until you find the part that you can "feel" the noise in.
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 15,167
Likes: 1,604
From: TN
Rep Power: 366 Re: Left Front Shock Knocks During Full Lock Turns
while it's out, check the top mounts too, just in case. (it's more common with 7th gen and newer (McPherson suspension), but just in case. also, the bushings on the shocks and everything else while you are there.
Thread Starter
OF top 99.5% creator (Formerly of the Puffinblunts variety)
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,634
Likes: 109
Rep Power: 209 Re: Left Front Shock Knocks During Full Lock Turns
Just asking, but isn't a 1998 civic a double wishbone suspension? The shock is just that a shock. Yes it is a coilover, but it is still a shock and not technicaly a strut. I am just pointing it out because the shock does NOT turn with the suspension. Are you sure all the bushings are in good condition? I can be hard to see the bushings on the upper control arm since they are way up in the wheelwell. If you can get the noise to occur consistently have someone turn the wheel and place your hands on various components until you find the part that you can "feel" the noise in.
I checked the upper control visually (LED light) and physically with pressure from a pry bar. Only makes knocking noise during movement and not while parked and turning wheel.
Other threads I have read mention drop (end) links could be the issue.
Thread Starter
OF top 99.5% creator (Formerly of the Puffinblunts variety)
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,634
Likes: 109
Rep Power: 209 Re: Left Front Shock Knocks During Full Lock Turns
Thread Starter
OF top 99.5% creator (Formerly of the Puffinblunts variety)
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,634
Likes: 109
Rep Power: 209 Re: Left Front Shock Knocks During Full Lock Turns
My son and I removed the strut today however, the spring compressor I rented from O' Reilly's ..same as this one: http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-s...p-00947057000P didn't work because the lip base that goes over the spring is too thick and won't fit in between coils. We loosened the nut but notice the entire threaded rod/bolt was turning too. I then noticed there's a slot for an allen wrench to be used to hold the threaded rod/bolt in place when nut is turned.
I didn't see any arrows used for indexing on the spring/shock assembly and not sure if they can be indexed? The bottom of the spring (toward knuckle) is seated as far as it can go in to the lower perch. Since, the compressor we borrowed wasn't going to work we just tighten the strut down and re-installed it on the car. Still making same knocking noise on full-lock left turns.
I didn't see any arrows used for indexing on the spring/shock assembly and not sure if they can be indexed? The bottom of the spring (toward knuckle) is seated as far as it can go in to the lower perch. Since, the compressor we borrowed wasn't going to work we just tighten the strut down and re-installed it on the car. Still making same knocking noise on full-lock left turns.
Registered!!
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,472
Likes: 3
From: Paradise Ca
Rep Power: 207 Re: Left Front Shock Knocks During Full Lock Turns
My son and I removed the strut today however, the spring compressor I rented from O' Reilly's ..same as this one: http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-s...p-00947057000P didn't work because the lip base that goes over the spring is too thick and won't fit in between coils. We loosened the nut but notice the entire threaded rod/bolt was turning too. I then noticed there's a slot for an allen wrench to be used to hold the threaded rod/bolt in place when nut is turned.
I didn't see any arrows used for indexing on the spring/shock assembly and not sure if they can be indexed? The bottom of the spring (toward knuckle) is seated as far as it can go in to the lower perch. Since, the compressor we borrowed wasn't going to work we just tighten the strut down and re-installed it on the car. Still making same knocking noise on full-lock left turns.
I didn't see any arrows used for indexing on the spring/shock assembly and not sure if they can be indexed? The bottom of the spring (toward knuckle) is seated as far as it can go in to the lower perch. Since, the compressor we borrowed wasn't going to work we just tighten the strut down and re-installed it on the car. Still making same knocking noise on full-lock left turns.
Registered!!
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 302
Likes: 3
Rep Power: 0 
Re: Left Front Shock Knocks During Full Lock Turns
My son and I removed the strut today however, the spring compressor I rented from O' Reilly's ..same as this one: http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-s...p-00947057000P didn't work because the lip base that goes over the spring is too thick and won't fit in between coils. We loosened the nut but notice the entire threaded rod/bolt was turning too. I then noticed there's a slot for an allen wrench to be used to hold the threaded rod/bolt in place when nut is turned.
I didn't see any arrows used for indexing on the spring/shock assembly and not sure if they can be indexed? The bottom of the spring (toward knuckle) is seated as far as it can go in to the lower perch. Since, the compressor we borrowed wasn't going to work we just tighten the strut down and re-installed it on the car. Still making same knocking noise on full-lock left turns.
I didn't see any arrows used for indexing on the spring/shock assembly and not sure if they can be indexed? The bottom of the spring (toward knuckle) is seated as far as it can go in to the lower perch. Since, the compressor we borrowed wasn't going to work we just tighten the strut down and re-installed it on the car. Still making same knocking noise on full-lock left turns.
Thread
Thread Starter
Honda Civic Forum
Replies
Last Post
chuffsy
8th & 9th Generation Civic 2006 - 2015
4
May 15, 2015 12:50 PM
GH04si
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
3
Apr 15, 2015 08:13 PM
