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Backgroud Information: 2002 Civic EX, Auto, 4 Dr., Stock. Rotate/Balance Tire & Alignment Checked/Adjusted, Every 5000K. Major Contributor to "Road Noise Transmittal" - Firestone FR690 stock tires (See Reviews at www.tire.rack.com - A mediocre tire (Stick with Kumho ECSTA HP 4 716 for price or go Michelin: X One (stock size) or Pilot (low profile/performance). Car steers and holds the road perfectly.

If one turns the steering wheel 30 degrees or so left & right/ to and from even mildly or more it will clank/rattle/make noise, which is the same sound when you are driving on anything more than smooth surface, or touch the brake at say 40 mph or so on a non smooth surface, or go over ruts or slow down speed bumps on residential/shopping certer streets.

There is no bulletin for this problem that the dealer is aware of. Dealer has replaced the Rack & Pinion, the turn signal cancellation switch - aka: "Body Switch", and the steering wheel air bag cable - aka: "Reel Assy, Cable". All of which are factory non adjustable. The problem arose for Honda since leaving the double wishbone and returning to struts in 2001 for Civic's. I have filed a formal complaint with American Honda Corp. and given an assigned reference number. I will not change the tires until problem is resolved.

I need to know how to remove the steering wheel and get to the air bag cable to try to isolate the cable with a styrofoam/vinyl tubing. THIS PROBLEM IS WELL DOCUMENTED BY OUR MEMBERS under thread title: "Loud clank when turning steering wheel", 12-10-2002 - Snowman; Threads: Weatherman, flotsamm, SoNICcivic, MaxPSiLX, 3rdcivic, Aznnp, and AR have all commented about this problem. WE MUST SOLVE THIS PROBLEM AND Instruct our respective dealers in how to fix. (In many cases I like fixing it myself).

1. Has anyone had this problem solved and what did they do to correct? 2. How do you remove the steering wheel to get to the cable (dealer shows .90 minutes to do the above job for the steering wheel)?
3. As long as one keeps the McPhearson Struts and does not change it over to double wishbone, we have to accept that part, but not the rattling/clunk at the base of the steering wheel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HELP, PLEASE! '01-'03 STEERING WHEEL - Clank, Rattle, Clunk Transmitted Noises

 
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Not sure if this is that common of a problem. I remember that old thread, but not too many people replied to it. My 01 EX seems to be fine. Maybe ask them to replace your struts too. Not sure if this is true, but someone here said that our steering system has a direct linkage to our struts, which is why there are so few 3rd party struts out there for our cars, which really sucks. Even the struts that Koni has for our cars are not the full deal... we still have to gut out and keep our old strut housings to use them.

 
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Weatherman here....01 Lx coupe...I have been to the dealer in Bethesda, MD where I bought it. I had the Honda Tech listen to the knocking noise. The first thing he asked me was if I has different tires...Yes I went from 185-70-14 stock to 195-60-15 with 15" Fox 2 rims from tire-rack...anyway he said he has never heard anything like this and would check it out...He came back and said he tightned all the suspension bolts a lubed everything, checked out the rack and pinion....Everything is fine....I drove the car home and the steering felt nice and tight and the noise was gone.....Two days later it's back. I haven't told or been back to Oursman Honda yet, but I will continue to bring it back until it's fixed...Oh...I asked the tech if the knocking was going to cause long term damage 5 years from now if I was to leave it alone...He told me that there is nothing tearing, rubbing, or wearing out anything...Whatever dude!
I'm wondering if it has anything to do with the power steering pump, or a clog in the hoses...I don't know

Lets fix this issue please so we can drive a little less noisy and then worry about all the interior rattles...LOL

Peace homyz

 
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Oh yeah...I just put on my neuspeed upper stut bar....works great, but didn't take away the knocking noise

 
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I have a 01 EX coupe. I have never had any unusual noises as you describe.

I installed 195 - 60 - 15 Uniroyal Tiger Paws early on, but still with the stock wheels.

I ran it like that for 10,000 miles and now have another 10,000 miles with Eibach ProKit springs and Koni yellows. Again, no unusual noises with the modified setup either.

I've had 3 different strut bars and three different intakes. One strut bar/itake combination was low clearance and there were some noises from engine movement at light throttle, low speeds. Going to K&N FIPK and Neuspeed strut bar fixed that little problem and I plan to stay with that.

 
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Weatherman,

No, our power steering units are fine. I had that reviewed and no, we do not have a clog in our steering lines. I do feel if we took the steering wheel off and below the air bag, we would encapsulate the air bag cable that might do the trick. Not sure however. I will take it to the dealer and discuss it with the Service Director. I agree with Ronin, I don't think everyone has this problem. The true test is turning the steering wheel as the car is parked, engine off. Turn the wheel mildly and more left and right....If you hear noise, then one has a problem.

 
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Yeah I have that problem too, but the sound on my car doesn't seem to be coming from the base of the steering column. It seems to be coming from either the left or right suspension. I notice it when I reverse up my driveway or pull out, both times moving slowly (i.e. less than 5 mph). I haven't gone to the dealer yet, although I am going next week for an oil change and to get rid of some rattles and the stupid rocking driver seat. I will bring it up at the dealership and see if they do anything different from what you guys have already mentioned. Keep ya posted.