What's causing these noises? (suspension related)

What's causing these noises? (suspension related)

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seany87

Original Poster:

622 posts

170 months

Tuesday 24th February 2015
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Hi guys

I have a 14 year old Civic EP3 that's done 116k miles now. Standard suspension and original as far as I know.

I have noticed recently that if I am at speed and turned slightly to the left (like coming on or off a motorway slip road about 50-60 or so, or driving on long left turns on twisty B roads) then there is some sort of vibration through the car, feels like it is coming from the offside front. This vibration sounds like a muted, dull, slower woodpecker sort of sound (best way of describing it in my tired state!) and can be felt slightly through the steering but also through the seat of my pants.

Looking into it further I took the car to an empty car park and drove the car on full left lock and full right lock whilst accelerating. No noise on right lock but on left lock there was a metal on metal grinding type noise.

Also if I am turned to the left whilst going over an undulation on the road, then there is a distinct knock from the offside front that I don't get with any other corners.

After a googling session I am none the wiser, it seems it could be a whole cacophony of reasons as to why the car is doing this - lower control arm bushes, driveshaft, inner and outer cv joints, broken spring, and of course the famous dodgy EP3. steering rack.

I'd just like peoples opinions on where to start looking first? I know for sure it's not the tyres or wheels so they can be ruled out.


smn159

12,654 posts

217 months

Tuesday 24th February 2015
quotequote all
Add top mounts to your list? in any case you need to get the car in the air and have a look (or to a garage) to find out which.

seany87

Original Poster:

622 posts

170 months

Tuesday 24th February 2015
quotequote all
Cheers, yep will be taking it to a garage but if I can narrow the possibilities down it will help. Good call on the top mounts.

Next available day off for me to take the car in is the 6th March. Work is only 1 mile away from home so it won't be driving much in the meantime, and won't have any long journeys planned.

Mr2Mike

20,143 posts

255 months

Monday 2nd March 2015
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Did you get this sorted? If it's a regular knocking noise related to wheel speed than you can rule out stuff like top mounts, springs and most likely the rack. Loose wheel nuts or CV joint would be prime suspects. Less likely, but possible is a cracked alloy wheel.

seany87

Original Poster:

622 posts

170 months

Monday 2nd March 2015
quotequote all
Hi thanks for the reply, taking it to a friends garage on Friday as that's my next afternoon off.

It's got a pronounced knock on the offside front over bumps provided I am turned to the left, even slightly.

There is a vibration through the pedals which is speed related particularly when turned to the left for example on long sweeping slip roads, and I noticed on full left lock and accelerating in a car park there is a grinding metal on metal sound.

I did jack the car up yesterday to see if there was anything glaringly obvious on the front o/s (there wasn't) and span the wheel, there was a definite intermittent grind, couldnt say whether it was brake, bearing or driveshaft related though for certain.