Rep Power: 0

replaced both strut assemblies with Monroe quick strut assemblies (knowing what I know now I would have gone with KYB). The passenger side was fine. Finished up drivers side and now at low speed or stationary, in the air or on the ground, while turning there is a popping or clunking noise coming from the top of the strut assembly. I had my wife turn the steering wheel while I observed what was going on in the area and can tell the noise is where the spring and upper spring pad/seat/bearing all meet.

I researched the issues and have tried a variety of things that I read have helped others. this includes::
torquing the top bolts on the ground and in the air to spec (33#)
loosening the top bolts and driving around the block and then retorquing.
sprayed silicone lubricant around the strut bearing area.
All of this did not fix the issue. So after speaking with Monroe I returned the strut and exchanged it for another. Redid the whole process and have the same issue. Tried doing all the above except for the lube and still have the same issue. Could I really have draw the short straw that bad and had two faulty bearings out of the box?

I have not had the vehicle realigned in fear of having to redo something again and pay for a 2nd alignment.

I am at a loss. Thoughts?


this is a: 2003 honda civic hybrid

 
Rep Power: 244

Yes KYB is always better and what you described sounds like a bad bearing or like the spring is not indexed properly. I would check that it is indexed as it would be rare to get 2 bad ones in a row but not unheard of.

 
Rep Power: 512

My first thought, as well

 
Rep Power: 0

thanks for the insight. I will pull it off this weekend and have a closer look at the situation.

 
Rep Power: 0

KYB struts: in my research, it appears they don't make a ready to install strut assembly for the 2003 civic hybrid. No idea what the difference in the front end is to distinguish it from the other sedans.


I looked at the first replacement assembly and I can rotate the assembly against the bearing without issue. Doesn't appear it has issues. I did notice after having my wife turn the wheels and watching the strut that it seems as though the top of the assembly is catching on something. Attached is a picture of a wear mark on the first replacement strut. Keep in mind i had this strut installed for maybe a week. I am thinking that it's finding resistance against the bottom of the car's strut tower mounting location. The attached video seems to confirm its "catching" then when enough spring tension has built up it jumps forward.

I am at a loss for a solution here unless something is so misaligned that an alignment would be helpful? No idea.

 
Rep Power: 0

KYB struts: in my research, it appears they don't make a ready to install strut assembly for the 2003 civic hybrid. No idea what the difference in the front end is to distinguish it from the other sedans.


I looked at the first replacement assembly and I can rotate the assembly against the bearing without issue. Doesn't appear it has issues. I did

notice after having my wife turn the wheels and watching the strut that it seems as though the top of the assembly is catching on something. Attached is a picture of a wear mark on the first replacement strut. I am thinking that it's finding resistance against the bottom of the car's strut tower mounting location. The attached video seems to confirm its "catching" then when enough spring tension has built up it jumps forward.

I am at a loss for a solution here unless something is so misaligned that an alignment would be helpful? No idea.

 
Rep Power: 244

Well that is odd. Do you still have the original one that you removed to compare? It's not a passenger side strut is it?

 
Rep Power: 0

I did save the old one actually. I was looking at it and didn't see and wear marks on it. I don't believe it could be a passenger side to align the tie rod and pinch bolts.

 
Rep Power: 244

Good point, no it would not line up if it was the other side. Maybe it was not assembled from the factory with the correct orientation It has been awhile since I have seen a 7th gen strut.

https://www.civicforums.com/forums/3...-question.html

 
Rep Power: 0

Thought I would update that the catching and noise is no longer occurring. I did add some grease to the top of the of the strut tower. The noise did not stop immediately but over a week or so it subsided. I can’t confirm that this greasing was the reason the noise stopped. Thanks all for the help. I guess I will see what happens from here.