Prelude knocking issue - advice needed please

Prelude knocking issue - advice needed please

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Stevie300online

Original Poster:

1 posts

107 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
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Prelude S Reg – 1999 (Mark 5) 2.0 automatic. 61,000 miles on the clock.

Hi – I have an issue with my 1999 Honda Prelude, and am in need of some advice please. I have a knocking noise that appears to be coming from the right hand side of the passenger foot well, at the front of the car. The issue started (maybe coincidentally) following the changing of a tyre. Soon after, I notice a knocking noise that was directly linked to the speed at which I was going – the faster the speed, the faster the knocking and vice versa. The knocking is definitely linked to each turn of the wheel

I initially thought it was loose wheel nuts, but on checking I discovered that it wasn’t the case. I took the car back to the garage, and they took the wheel off and checked things, but couldn’t find any issue. Once the wheel was back on, the knocking stopped temporarily, and then slowly over a period of days it started again. Quiet at first, but then more pronounced over time.

The knocking occurs more when steering to the left and is quite loud. It’s also occasionally audible whilst driving in a straight line, but not as loud. Whilst steering right, there’s no knocking at all. Also, the noise isn’t as noticeable on acceleration or breaking, but very pronounced when my foot is off the accelerator (but not when standing still).

I’ve taken the car to the local garage and they’ve had it up on the ramps but they’re not sure where the problem is. So far they’ve told me it could be a drive shaft, a CV joint or possibly a gear box. Obviously I can’t take the risk of having something like the gear box, or drive shaft replaced and to then find out that it wasn’t that all along as I’ll end up spending more than the car is worth.

The car has sat on my drive for the last 6 months as I was only using it occasionally and so it wasn’t a major issues for me not to have it. I was also concerned about any possible risk of driving my kids around in it, just in case something it ended up being dangerous. Anyway, last week I decided to get it fixed and took it to the garage. They had to replace the battery as it was completely dead, but then their initial diagnosis of a replacement drive shaft didn’t go anywhere as they informed me that they couldn’t get a generic part (as it was on automatic and so difficult to get hold of), and it would need to be sourced from Honda which would take a week or so. Therefore, I took the car away and am now considering the options.

Does anyone have any ideas? The fact that the noise happens mainly when steering left makes me question how it could be a gear box and I want to be certain that I have some good advice before going off and sourcing any parts (which I may have to do myself).

Any thoughts would be really appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Edited by Stevie300online on Tuesday 21st April 09:29

CarsOrBikes

1,135 posts

183 months

Sunday 10th May 2015
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Interesting that the noise improved on refitting the wheel, and that it is worse on overrun. It can be a gearbox related issue, probably a differential side bearing/thrust washer, but sounds more driveshaft/hub from the description, of course one would need to listen themselves. Is there certainty that the wheel is secure, ie all the bolts are free to tighten fully, not just to a tight spot on the threads, plus bearing play/joint etc? Gearbox/engine mount loose/worn? As on overrun. Driveshaft joints are worse on lock unless the inboard one is shot, and that fits with you saying the right of the n/s floor, but then due to when it does it, also sounds possible for engine stabiliser/mount.

You may well have to fit something to eliminate it if nobody near you can test it further with you. If you were near Wirral, I could listen, but can't work on it due to surgery Friday. Try on/off throttle in 1st and see If engine rock related?

Only my2p