Knocking/rubbing sounds coming from wheels
Two problems:
1. (Very noticeable under 20km/h and on very uneven pavement) While driving on a bumpy, very uneven and cracked parking lot surface, I hear tons of knocking and some popping from what sounds like my wheel area; front-left. And I can't tell if it's just coming from that wheel or more.
And the sound can be heard on road ways in better condition, but not as much.
2. The second sound I started hearing a few days ago. I started my car and as I was pulling out of my parking spot and turned to the left. I could hear a rubbing sound coming from my front-left wheel. It sounded a tad louder in one spot as the wheel made its rotation. After turning out of my parking spot, the sound is still there while driving straight for about 50 feet and again when I turn left to make my way to pull out onto the road. I make a right, no sound, and the sound doesn't return until the very next time I pull out of that parking spot. And I thought I've heard a similar sound when backing into a spot also - not sure where the sound was coming from though. I was backing in a counter-clockwise direction (wheel turned to the right). I've read that it could be the brake pads or something, when they are loose and are just seating themselves back.
Anyone have an idea of what is wrong?
Thanks in advance for any help given.
1. (Very noticeable under 20km/h and on very uneven pavement) While driving on a bumpy, very uneven and cracked parking lot surface, I hear tons of knocking and some popping from what sounds like my wheel area; front-left. And I can't tell if it's just coming from that wheel or more.
And the sound can be heard on road ways in better condition, but not as much.2. The second sound I started hearing a few days ago. I started my car and as I was pulling out of my parking spot and turned to the left. I could hear a rubbing sound coming from my front-left wheel. It sounded a tad louder in one spot as the wheel made its rotation. After turning out of my parking spot, the sound is still there while driving straight for about 50 feet and again when I turn left to make my way to pull out onto the road. I make a right, no sound, and the sound doesn't return until the very next time I pull out of that parking spot. And I thought I've heard a similar sound when backing into a spot also - not sure where the sound was coming from though. I was backing in a counter-clockwise direction (wheel turned to the right). I've read that it could be the brake pads or something, when they are loose and are just seating themselves back.
Anyone have an idea of what is wrong?
Thanks in advance for any help given.
Re: Knocking/rubbing sounds coming from wheels
I just sank an ***-load of money into something very similar. Not saying it's what you have, but something to check out.
When I turned left, I heard the same noise from the front-passenger side by the wheel. It was only when turning and occasionally on acceleration from a stop.
First we all thought it was the CV boot. Then we tried the wheel hub/bearings. After 4 mechanics (yes, FOUR
), someone finally decided to check my lower control arm. Turned out the bushings were obliterated, and that's what set everything wacky to begin with. While down there, I noticed my ball joint was pretty loose, so I had that taken care of too. I don't know if Honda improved on their original part, but there's no lock ring on the ball joint. I got one (I THINK it was AC Delco, not sure) that was a replacement, but it had the lock ring.
So yeah, all those things you might wanna check. I've noticed other people on here with a similar problem, but we all had different solutions to it. I think it'd be handy to have a list of what could possibly be wrong so you're not doing/paying labor two or three times over to take everything apart just to change a different part. Your CV and wheel hub are probably the easiest to check, and the ball joint is right there as well. If that's not it, then try checking the bushings. The car should be drivable, but the longer you take it, the more that knocking is going to mess with another part.
Here's the kicker of the whole ordeal. Friggin' PEP BOYS are the ones who figured it out.
When I turned left, I heard the same noise from the front-passenger side by the wheel. It was only when turning and occasionally on acceleration from a stop.
First we all thought it was the CV boot. Then we tried the wheel hub/bearings. After 4 mechanics (yes, FOUR
), someone finally decided to check my lower control arm. Turned out the bushings were obliterated, and that's what set everything wacky to begin with. While down there, I noticed my ball joint was pretty loose, so I had that taken care of too. I don't know if Honda improved on their original part, but there's no lock ring on the ball joint. I got one (I THINK it was AC Delco, not sure) that was a replacement, but it had the lock ring.So yeah, all those things you might wanna check. I've noticed other people on here with a similar problem, but we all had different solutions to it. I think it'd be handy to have a list of what could possibly be wrong so you're not doing/paying labor two or three times over to take everything apart just to change a different part. Your CV and wheel hub are probably the easiest to check, and the ball joint is right there as well. If that's not it, then try checking the bushings. The car should be drivable, but the longer you take it, the more that knocking is going to mess with another part.
Here's the kicker of the whole ordeal. Friggin' PEP BOYS are the ones who figured it out.
Re: Knocking/rubbing sounds coming from wheels
Thanks for the reply Matt300.
Unfortunately, it was a tad to late.
I brought my car in yesterday and had Speedy look at it. They gave me a list of what they thought needed replacing and I went ahead with the repairs as I hadn't gotten a response to my thread. (Usually I get a response in a matter of hours but I hey, I'm not complaining. You guys have been there many times in the past and have really helped me out before.
)
So anyways, it sounds to me like what I had fixed was somewhat similar to what you did also. Here's a list of the work I had done:
2x Front stabilizer link kits
Left hand front lower ball joint
Two wheel alignment
Does that sound right?? (I'm a novice at this car stuff ... car shops must love people like me. lol)
I've only driven the car back from the shop but it does sound a lot better. I drive 120km round-trip to and from work each day so that'll be the real test.
Unfortunately, it was a tad to late.
)So anyways, it sounds to me like what I had fixed was somewhat similar to what you did also. Here's a list of the work I had done:
2x Front stabilizer link kits
Left hand front lower ball joint
Two wheel alignment
Does that sound right?? (I'm a novice at this car stuff ... car shops must love people like me. lol)
I've only driven the car back from the shop but it does sound a lot better. I drive 120km round-trip to and from work each day so that'll be the real test.
Last edited by bymitten; Mar 26, 2012 at 07:45 PM.
Re: Knocking/rubbing sounds coming from wheels
Sounds about right. Part of my problem was the ball joint, and when they showed it to me, I could see where metal had been chipped at, so that was probably that knocking noise. The alignment has to be done since they're messing with all that. Not sure about the front stabilizer as I haven't had to mess with those yet, but it sounds plausible.
Re: Knocking/rubbing sounds coming from wheels
Re: Knocking/rubbing sounds coming from wheels
Control arm bushings are pressed yes. Here is a list of what it could cause clunking, starting with most likely to least:
Lower Control Arm Bushings
Strut bushings (The one one top, I forgot what they were called)
Lower Ball Joint.
Stabilizer links
Outer tie rod ends
Inner tie rods
A broken spring
A blown strut.
Broken lower control arm.
Loose bolts.
That pretty well sums it up, not too often you hear of anything else going wrong on these cars.
Lower Control Arm Bushings
Strut bushings (The one one top, I forgot what they were called)
Lower Ball Joint.
Stabilizer links
Outer tie rod ends
Inner tie rods
A broken spring
A blown strut.
Broken lower control arm.
Loose bolts.
That pretty well sums it up, not too often you hear of anything else going wrong on these cars.
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