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I just got back from picking up my car from Honda Dealership and they told me both front struts were blown. I don't have anything suspension-wise except stock equipment. Well, I guess if you want to count my generic strut bar(apc). The Service Advisor told me the parts are on "national back-order" and that there will likely be a recall (or at least a TSB) soon. He said they've had to replace a BUNCH of them already.

I've had no problems with a change in ride quality or anything, so the Service Tech told me I've probably been riding on blown struts since I bought the car. He said it's comparable to having "one of those drop kits the kids put on these cars." Haha, I guess maybe that's why I never noticed a problem, because it handles 10 times better than my last Civic (a '98 4dr).

In an effort to try and get me the new parts in sooner, they ordered the entire strut assembly instead of just the strut. That way I'll also get the car back quicker because it's an easier install they told me.

 
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Hmmm, I'll bet my car had blown struts from the very beginning too. The ride was bouncier than anything I've ever experienced, but still "handled" decently. After a while, I couldn't stand it and had Koni's installed, along with Eibachs. Oh well, wish I knew about this possible recall sooner. Probably would not have started modding my car...

 
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Jackseric, what did you take the car in for? Was there another suspension-related problem that led them to find the blown struts? I've had mine in twice for what I thought was degraded handling, but both times the dealer said everything was fine.

Did you ever see anything leaking? I've looked several times (at least as far as I can get my fat self under this little car), but I have not seen anything like leaking fluid (there are no puddles, either).

My newly-purchased rims and tires do make a big difference in the handling, though.

 
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This is true...but dont look for a recall...The average Joe doesn't know when their shocks are leaking right away...so look for Honda to hope their warranty runs out before they notice.

 
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what year is ur car jack?

 
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My Car is a 2002 EX Sedan 5spd. The reason I took it in there in the first place is I had a little squeaking noise from the front passenger-side wheel area. (I even told them before they looked at it, that it sounded like either the spring or the strut)

I bought my car in August, had it back to the dealer 3 weeks later because of a 'metallic creaking noise' coming from that same corner. They said there was a 'bur' on the strut housing/assembly that they knew about all 01+ Civics having. Their fix: file the bur off, repaint, and reassemble.

A month later, I'm back for the same metal creak noise from the front driver's side. Same fix.

2 months after that I go back because of a ticking noise I hear every time I start to let out the clutch. Sound seems to come from somewhere between the R.F. wheel and the glove box. Turns out its a 'shift fork' that was faulty from the factory. Made me nervous they actually opened the 5spd tranny up to replace the part. Took 'em 2 full days to do the whole thing.

Now, 7 months later I get the squeak from that corner. The dealer I got the car from is John Hinderer Honda way out in The Middle Of Nowhere, Ohio. I work in downtown Columbus and there is a dealer around the corner I decide to go to instead. (Hugh White) They tell me they can't believe Hinderer opened my transmission up because it opens them up for a liability later on when my tranny fails. They also tell me they can't believe that Hinderer didn't notice the struts were blown because it is VERY obvious. I looked and did not see any oil leaking, so there must be some other indication they just didn't tell me about.

 
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oh how gay.

but thats pretty gay. u've been riding on blown struts?

i can't believe u didnt notice the horrid ride quality... ie: feeling every bump on the road...

 
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this seems to be only happening in 2002s.

Matt

 
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I'm confused by your post Cap... is that gay?

Like I said before... the ride quality isn't horrid... it's actually WAY better than it was on my '98 Civic. The Service advisor said that the strut bar may have helped distribute the road harshness to both sides and through the frame so it may have helped soften the bumps. Plus I'm used to riding in my buddies' MX-6 that he lowered by heating the springs. So you can probably guess how harsh that ride is... every little bump feels like it shortens your spine by an inch. Compared to that, and my old civic, this thing rides like a Caddy...

 
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Anyone got a link for the TSB on blown struts.

 
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heheh thats why the 03's ride like 1" higher than the 02 stock...

 
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I can't imagine... I feel like I've got a lift kit already, and they made 'em higher?!

 
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I also had that clunking noise in my front driver wheel side. So I brought my car to the dealer. What I thought was that there was a problem im my struts; however, when they checked it, it was fine. It was my brake pad that was loose or shifting around. And for the fix, they applied moly coating to the brake pads to prevent it from moving. As of now, I didn't hear that clunking noise, which is very annoying.

 
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I've seen a TSB about 100 other problems, but not the struts.

Also, any ideas if aftermarket struts and springs are better than stock for ride and comfort.

 
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Not true. 2001s had MANY strut problems. This is actually new to me.

 
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Probably your front axles.

 
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where is the TSB link for this problem, so we can take it to Honda?

 
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I had a blown front strut on my car and barely passed inspection in the UK cause of it. And since I had my car shipped overseas I couldn't just go to the dealer nad get it fixed. So I just replaced it.

 
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Jackseric-
I have just discovered IDENTICAL symptoms in my 2K2 EX 5spd (which is why I'm searching this site) It started out riding fine - However, I've had a clunk noise from the front passenger wheel area since the day I got it - always made the noise the first time I pressed the brake for the day.

Yesterday I got back from a trip to Baltimore and the car definitely has something wrong. I don't have any mods (except from a V2 intake) and almost every bump caused great bounciness and for the steering wheel to shake. Very noticable if you go over even the smallest bumps during acceleration. I also hear a knocking or rattling noise from that area - almost sounds like its coming from the tranny area.

My father-in-law brought his 2K1 LX 5spd in for a rattling noise in the front passenger area and they replaced his glovebox.

This is definitely not my glovebox.

If the struts weren't blown before, They sure feel like they are now.

As for the shift fork, I dunno - we'll see.

I'm takling the car into the dealership - I'll keep you posted.

 
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The front strut problem only afflicts the 2001-2002 model. The replacement struts they use for warranty repair should be fine. However there is still the problem with the underdamped rear shocks which Honda is not doing anything about. Honestly, the stock OEM shocks are hopeless. Just junk them and get Koni, unless you want your car to continue drive like a Sunfire.