Pulsating Noise
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Pulsating Noise
I have a 2004 Civic SE which has 227,000km's and I'm trying to figure out what is wrong with it.
When driving, I hear a pulsating noise that gets more rapid as I accelaterate. It doesn't seem to get louder, just faster. The car sounds a bit louder than usual. In addition, the car seems to sway a bit at higher speeds, although I don't believe the 2 problems to be related to one another.
Before anybody says anything, no, it's not my brakes or related brake parts. They are in perfect shape, both front and rear. My alignment is fine as well. Any ideas?
When driving, I hear a pulsating noise that gets more rapid as I accelaterate. It doesn't seem to get louder, just faster. The car sounds a bit louder than usual. In addition, the car seems to sway a bit at higher speeds, although I don't believe the 2 problems to be related to one another.
Before anybody says anything, no, it's not my brakes or related brake parts. They are in perfect shape, both front and rear. My alignment is fine as well. Any ideas?
Last edited by KyprosEc; May 5, 2011 at 10:20 PM.
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Re: Pulsating Noise
+1 for tires. Some tires are just.... really loud. A good portion of road noise comes from tires and their radical designs to push water out of the driver's path. I'd still check them. My tires make the same noise, but mine are going to be replaced soon since they're old and have slow leaks. Lol. As for the swaying, have you check sway bar links? Broken links could cause that, but even when mine broke, they didn't make a noticeable difference in performance. I just heard a loud clunking in the rear of my car.
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So, let me summarize the possibilities when it comes to my tires:
>Tires out of balance
>Tires with broken belts inside them
>Tires over-worn
>Bent rims
>Bearings
Looks like the concensus is that it's my tires.
When it comes to the swaying:
>Sway bar links
Guess the only consensus is sway bar links.
My tires are Michellin Harmony tires, and they are 2.5 years old. I put on approx 75k on the tires so far and they advertise that they last 100k. I was told they are wearing down, but that they still have some life left. I specifically had my rims checked and there are no bends that I am aware of. I would think that if the rims were bent, I would feel the pulsation more, not just hear it.
On another note, here's some more questions:
>Approxiately how long do the bearings last and how much can I expect to pay to change them?
>Sway bar links...are they in the front and rear? How long do they usually last and how much do they cost to replace?
>The dealer mentioned I have a small crack in one of my compliance bushings, which will get worse over time. They mentioned that they changed the ball-joints as well when they replace these (I had my lower inner ones changed, but I'm told these are actually different ones attached to the bushines). How long do they usually last and how much should I expect to pay?
Just thought I'd ask so I know what to expect when they quote me out prices at Honda. You guys have been a great help.
>Tires out of balance
>Tires with broken belts inside them
>Tires over-worn
>Bent rims
>Bearings
Looks like the concensus is that it's my tires.
When it comes to the swaying:
>Sway bar links
Guess the only consensus is sway bar links.
My tires are Michellin Harmony tires, and they are 2.5 years old. I put on approx 75k on the tires so far and they advertise that they last 100k. I was told they are wearing down, but that they still have some life left. I specifically had my rims checked and there are no bends that I am aware of. I would think that if the rims were bent, I would feel the pulsation more, not just hear it.
On another note, here's some more questions:
>Approxiately how long do the bearings last and how much can I expect to pay to change them?
>Sway bar links...are they in the front and rear? How long do they usually last and how much do they cost to replace?
>The dealer mentioned I have a small crack in one of my compliance bushings, which will get worse over time. They mentioned that they changed the ball-joints as well when they replace these (I had my lower inner ones changed, but I'm told these are actually different ones attached to the bushines). How long do they usually last and how much should I expect to pay?
Just thought I'd ask so I know what to expect when they quote me out prices at Honda. You guys have been a great help.
Last edited by KyprosEc; May 7, 2011 at 07:24 AM.
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So, let me summarize the possibilities when it comes to my tires:
>Tires out of balance
>Tires with broken belts inside them
>Tires over-worn
>Bent rims
>Bearings
Looks like the concensus is that it's my tires.
When it comes to the swaying:
>Sway bar links
Guess the only consensus is sway bar links.
My tires are Michellin Harmony tires, and they are 2.5 years old. I put on approx 75k on the tires so far and they advertise that they last 100k. I was told they are wearing down, but that they still have some life left. I specifically had my rims checked and there are no bends that I am aware of. I would think that if the rims were bent, I would feel the pulsation more, not just hear it.
On another note, here's some more questions:
>Approxiately how long do the bearings last and how much can I expect to pay to change them?
>Sway bar links...are they in the front and rear? How long do they usually last and how much do they cost to replace?
>The dealer mentioned I have a small crack in one of my compliance bushings, which will get worse over time. They mentioned that they changed the ball-joints as well when they replace these (I had my lower inner ones changed, but I'm told these are actually different ones attached to the bushines). How long do they usually last and how much should I expect to pay?
Just thought I'd ask so I know what to expect when they quote me out prices at Honda. You guys have been a great help.
>Tires out of balance
>Tires with broken belts inside them
>Tires over-worn
>Bent rims
>Bearings
Looks like the concensus is that it's my tires.
When it comes to the swaying:
>Sway bar links
Guess the only consensus is sway bar links.
My tires are Michellin Harmony tires, and they are 2.5 years old. I put on approx 75k on the tires so far and they advertise that they last 100k. I was told they are wearing down, but that they still have some life left. I specifically had my rims checked and there are no bends that I am aware of. I would think that if the rims were bent, I would feel the pulsation more, not just hear it.
On another note, here's some more questions:
>Approxiately how long do the bearings last and how much can I expect to pay to change them?
>Sway bar links...are they in the front and rear? How long do they usually last and how much do they cost to replace?
>The dealer mentioned I have a small crack in one of my compliance bushings, which will get worse over time. They mentioned that they changed the ball-joints as well when they replace these (I had my lower inner ones changed, but I'm told these are actually different ones attached to the bushines). How long do they usually last and how much should I expect to pay?
Just thought I'd ask so I know what to expect when they quote me out prices at Honda. You guys have been a great help.
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Re: Pulsating Noise
SE will have rear swaybar. Swaying could be caused by bad sway links, bearings, or tie-rods. The LCA bushing could cause that but, not likely.
You're looking at about $150-200 per side on the bearings and about $100-150 for LCA bushings per side. You can replace the sways yourself, it's easy.
There's pretty much no rhyme or reason to when that stuff wears out- sometimes it's 50K, sometimes it's 150K.
You're looking at about $150-200 per side on the bearings and about $100-150 for LCA bushings per side. You can replace the sways yourself, it's easy.
There's pretty much no rhyme or reason to when that stuff wears out- sometimes it's 50K, sometimes it's 150K.
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Since you guys are on a role, one more question.
I was told that when compliance bushings are changed, it's recommended the ball joints are changed as well. At 227,000km's I think this makes sense anyways.
I've had my lower front ball joints changed around 15k ago. These wouldn't be the same ball-joints that are attached to the bushings, are they? I know there are 2 sets of ball joints but I don't know which is which.
I was told that when compliance bushings are changed, it's recommended the ball joints are changed as well. At 227,000km's I think this makes sense anyways.
I've had my lower front ball joints changed around 15k ago. These wouldn't be the same ball-joints that are attached to the bushings, are they? I know there are 2 sets of ball joints but I don't know which is which.
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nah they arent really related. unless the ball joint is bad, its a waste to change it. i had my compliance bushings changed at 60k miles, im now at 98k with original ball joints.
oh and how do you like the harmony?
oh and how do you like the harmony?
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If you changed you haven't changed your ball joints at 98k, I can't really compare that to 227k. I'm going to replace mine.
The Harmony tires were really nice at first...grip perfectly in the snow.
Don't know what to make of this little issue I'm having now. I'm going to get them balanced and see if it fixes the problem.
The Harmony tires were really nice at first...grip perfectly in the snow.
Don't know what to make of this little issue I'm having now. I'm going to get them balanced and see if it fixes the problem.
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