Super loud suspension. Taking guesses

[GeoffM]

I've been dealing with this for a while.
It used to have a higher pitched squeak. I replaced the upper control arm last week.
It's definitely coming from the right side.



Anyone know what a bad rack sounds like?

[Tishock]

Lower ball joint or Rack/tie rods.

Have some one turn the steering wheel while the car is securely jacked up and get underneath to pinpoint the sound. If the sound goes away when lifted then maybe use a ramp to keep the suspension loaded.

I had a lower ball joint break on me a couple of weeks after hearing a similar sound. Drove with the annoying sound for a week before I finally checked it out. When I lifted the car the sound went away and didnt come back, so I ignored it. Then.... SNAP! fortunately I was only going about 15mph at the time.

[GeoffM]

I have no play in any of the parts.

I've been ignoring it for months, but it's getting frustrating, and I think I'm getting to the snap point.

How will I know if it's the rack?

[reklipz]

That sounds more like smooth surface on smooth surface grinding to me, not like something a rack/pinion might make; the sound is too smooth and continuous, and directly responding to how fast/slow you are turning the wheel. My vote is balljoint as well.

[92accordkidd]

that is the lower ball joints mines sounded just like yours until i replaced them and my car feels much better

[Losiracer2]

Its definitely your lower balljoints. I experienced the same issue with my car, used to creak, loud as hell when turning at slow speeds or at idle. I thought it was my tierods and could've sworn that it HAD to be them...ended up swapping the D/S one out 3 times before I said F this and bought new lower BJs.

I replaced my lower BJs with Honda OEM ones and the noise completely went away. My thinking is yours are getting really dry. Even though there isn't any slop or tears in the boot, The grease is probably dried up and gotten flaky. I got mine for cheap though, 21 a piece from the dealer. The newer Honda BJs don't use a C-Clip which is weird, I guess its an improved design, so they were a lot easier to install.

[accordztech]

Its definitely your lower balljoints. I experienced the same issue with my car, used to creak, loud as hell when turning at slow speeds or at idle. I thought it was my tierods and could've sworn that it HAD to be them...ended up swapping the D/S one out 3 times before I said F this and bought new lower BJs.

I replaced my lower BJs with Honda OEM ones and the noise completely went away. My thinking is yours are getting really dry. Even though there isn't any slop or tears in the boot, The grease is probably dried up and gotten flaky. I got mine for cheap though, 21 a piece from the dealer. The newer Honda BJs don't use a C-Clip which is weird, I guess its an improved design, so they were a lot easier to install.

Sounds like it to me to as well. Had the same experience.

[GeoffM]

Thanks for the advice guys.

I did the passenger side, and most of it went away. Still had a slight noise so I did the drivers side as well.
Both upper control arm bushings were shot. I need to find the Prothane ones I took out and reinstall them.

Anywho, the ball joints caught on the wheel bearing. Both sides did it, but I caught the drivers side before it did any damage.







This seems odd to me. They've never done this before. As of yet, no noise from that bearing.