Rep Power: 0

2015 Honda Civic LX 4 door, 80k miles.

Slight rattle or looseness in front end on small bumps.

Usually I'm riding only on nice flat pavement, but sometimes I get onto a bit of rippled gravel, etc.

And I'm hearing something loose somewhere in the front.

Any ideas?

The weather looks fair for this weekend so I'm going to do a tire rotation and look around underneath and look for any worn bushings. Front wheels seem tight, bearings good, rear also, so I'm not seeing any good indications of anything.

Tnx.
dc

 
Rep Power: 125

Very likely to be your sway bar end links.

 
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Sway bar links seem ok.

I did find at least 3 plastic panels underneath will rattle with even a little wind.

I'm going to go back under it next weekend, take off the front wheels, etc., and wiggle everything.

It's not in the steering. Somewhere in the suspension.
dc

 
Rep Power: 0

Ok I'm back under this car today with the front wheels off.

On the older Civics 2001 to 04 or 05 they used to insist that it was essential to replace the front bushings on the lower control arms. They had a goofy name for them, I forget it.

On this car, they are tight.

All the other bushings on the front seem tight. The sway or stabilizer bar end links are tight and don't offer any rattle.

The only movement I can get, even using two pry bars is ... both drive axles. As you know, they mount on splines so as to be able to extend and contract at appropriate times. And they will clunk mildly when they do that.

It is a gentle and soft clank or clunk of low volume. And I'm thinking that is normal on these cars.

Maybe I need to drive another one.

I will not spend a dime on the stealership to sell me something else that I don't need.

There is a lot of loose and clunky plastic under this car. Maybe I should look over the rear end. It could be something loose back there that sounds like it's coming from the front.

Any ideas?

Thanks
dc

 
Rep Power: 366

is is compliance bushings on the 7th gen.

brake dust shields?
I also had a shatter noise sometimes, found a crack in my control arm, could be anything (i am not saying this is your issue, just pointing out it can be unexpected issue!)

 
Rep Power: 222

Exhaust, heat shield, motor mounts (the one by the rad tends to break?

 
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Still chasing an elusive noise slight rattle, only at low speed.

Can't even figure out where it comes from.

May even be he rear.

I'm seeing videos on the rear lower control arm bushings.

I need to get back under there are do more checking.

This car now has 83k miles on it (k for 1000, not k for kms)

The front cowl has some slight looseness, as does the lower splash panels and the exhaust.

I suppose I could replace all bushings and hangers, etc.

Yes, compliance bushing. In the front. I don't understand that name. What is is supposed to comply with? The service departments business expectations?

The are so so at best.

I'll keep after it.
dc

 
Rep Power: 366

hahaha, maybe they should comply with naming
chasing small rattles are a pain...
One flapping noise i had was also caused by a zip tie that sometimes would get into the radiator fans' path... just cut the edge and it went away... Another was a clunk everytime I braked or accelerated or made corners... It was an glass coke bottle that was under the rear seat left by a previous owner (yes, glass... very old story...) or a beep in the car (was an wrist watch under the drivers' seat (also lost by previous owner...)

g'lucky, really hard to pinpoint in your case...

 
Rep Power: 0

I do know there is some rattling in the glove box. Some of the junk I got in there. It rattles less when I leave the glove box open.

I also know the drive axles are very loose. They have to be as they have to extend and retract when the wheels move up and down, etc.

One really obnoxious rattle on both my 04 and 15 is the sun visor. Unhook it from the latch to use when the side is directly to the left. Then put it back but don't latch it back in.

Once upon a time I had a pick up truck (somebody gave it to me) and it developed a horrible clank sound. Til I realized someone had dumped a beer bottle (empty) in the back of it. Taking of and stopping it would roll and ... CLANK!
dc

 
Rep Power: 0

Well, I still haven't found or fixed this clank.

IIt most lately appears or hears to be in the drivers side, front.

There is some questions on the compliance bush or bush on the front of the front lower control arm. That is the 3 point arm that includes the lower ball joint. But with the lever test it seems still some what good for a while.

There is a conjunction of 3 pieces of sheet plastic near the front of the front wheel. That is loose and rattles with a fist banging on it. Two of the pieces loosely tab together with a hole and a sort of tee shaped tab.

However, the biggest item I could find is the drive axle. On both there is a rotational looseness as the wheel is rotated. That is to say a potential for a clank before the car moves when power is applied to the car from the transmission. It is greater on the driver's side. Thus making an uneven or slightly uneven application of power to the wheels. Both axles look good. No tears or leaks.

I cannot imagine if this difference is from greater wear in one axle, or simply slight manufacturing differences, or what. For the good quality Honda oem axles, I'm sure the price is hefty. There are many cheap ones available out there. Rotax Rebuilds comes to mind. However, I doubt if they use all new ***** in their rebuilds. Probably just new boots.

Could it be greater wear on one side from making more right or left hand turns with the car? I never tried to make an equal number.

How close to failure might the axle be?
dc

 
Rep Power: 222

There would be excessive play in the cv joints.
there's going to be a bit of rotational play in the differential

 
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Well, I crawled underneath the mid to rear section today without jacking it up.

There are two plastic splash guards, I guess, near to the rear wheels that each have one corner not solidly attached. Neither of them are solidly attached at all, tho' there are those snap tabs that do hold them a little loose. But one corner on each may have one tab missing.

I'll jack up and inspect the rear. I'm now thinking the noise may be coming from the rear. Maybe even the rear sway or stabilizer bar or bar ends.

I'll do that on Sunday.
dc

 
Rep Power: 0

Well, I'm still trying to find this front end rattle.

I have verified that the so called "compliance" bushings are ripe for replacement.
But that means I have to have the car out of service which I remove both lower control arms. Which, so, I guess I just need to get it apart and done.
Then I need a press and some fittings to do the pressing. Just the right size.

But I see no uneven wear on the tires.

So I'm now wondering if it's actually the motor mount on the drivers side. It's hidden under the battery, so all that has to come out to inspect and check it.

The one on the passenger side is fine and accessible to check. It checks good.

I did have the battery out to do the transmission fluid & filter. I should have checked it then. That seems to be about where the noise comes from

Can anyone recommend a bearing press kit? With the right sizes for the Civic?

Thanks
dc

 
Rep Power: 223

You can purchase a new control arm with bushings already installed for a very reasonable price. Check Rockauto.

 
Rep Power: 0

Yes, I know I can get the aftermarket arms. But I'm wondering what the quality might be like.

I like oem Honda parts because they are usually good quality and last a long time, at least except for the "compliance" bushings.

I also want to take out the battery and get to the transmission motor mount and check that to see if it is my real issue. Or not.
dc