I have a 2001 Honda Prelude SH with 50000 miles on it. I love the car but there is a clunk noise in the front end that is driving me nuts and the dealer can't figure out how to fix it. I only hear the noise when it is warm (80 degrees +) outside. When I come to a full stop I hear a single clunk from the front end and I also hear the same clunk when I go to accelerate from a stop. Sometimes if I turn the steering wheel back and forth while stopped I get a continuous clunking noise. The car is under an extended warranty ( Honda Care) and the dealer has heard the noise but says it is normal. They also don't see too many preludes either. I assume it is suspension or brake related. Any ideas would be helpful.
i have an 01 as well, and i also experience this noise during warm weather only. not sure what it is... i just deal with it now. lol. you did a great job of describing it though, its hard to describe.
Sticking ball joints in the steering system. When they get hot they tend to stick and when you force them to move, they "pop". They have to sit still for a moment or two before they can stick -- that's why you only hear it when you come to a stop. When it gets hot enough, mine will start to pop as I get below ~10mph. I changed all four a few years ago and the noise went away -- for about three weeks.
Drive your car for awhile in stop-and-go traffic on a HOT day. When you stop the car, you can make it pop just by pushing down on the front fender (thus making the steering joints move). If you then take off the wheel and remove the tie-rod end from the steering knuckle, the noise goes away on that side. You can also then feel the stickiness in the ball joints by moving the tie-rod around manually. If your dealer is friendly enough to let you talk directly to the mechanic, try to get them to do this to verify if that's your problem.
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I have the same issue, it only happens when the car is driven for a long time or really hot days. Its not a loud cluck but it can be heard from outside easily. If a slightly turn the steering wheel right and left after while at a stop I hear the clunk but after two clunks sounds goes away. I thought it was my brake pad shifting inside the caliper but after I read this post i'm begining to think its steering ball joings.
how much are they to replace?
If I were to fix this at the dealer, will they warrenty it for lets say 1 year?
had a klunking noise in the front end of mine as well though it is not an sh. replaced the wheel barings and problem solved. not sure if that could be the same problem in the sh. when you cut the wheel to the left or right does the noise go away turning one way or the other?
had a klunking noise in the front end of mine as well though it is not an sh. replaced the wheel barings and problem solved. not sure if that could be the same problem in the sh. when you cut the wheel to the left or right does the noise go away turning one way or the other?
ya, if you twist sliglty right or left, noise will occour once then go away.
It might be your motor mounts. I had the same problem and my mechanic told me it was the motor mounts. I fixed it and now i dont have that problem any more and haven't for about 6 months
lol i had a clunking noise somewhere in the front too. then i realized that a wheel was about to come off. tightening the nuts got rid of my problem haha
lol i had a clunking noise somewhere in the front too. then i realized that a wheel was about to come off. tightening the nuts got rid of my problem haha
wheel bolts don't just undo them self. someone is trying to kill u.
I have a 2001 Honda Prelude SH with 50000 miles on it. I love the car but there is a clunk noise in the front end that is driving me nuts and the dealer can't figure out how to fix it. I only hear the noise when it is warm (80 degrees +) outside. When I come to a full stop I hear a single clunk from the front end and I also hear the same clunk when I go to accelerate from a stop. Sometimes if I turn the steering wheel back and forth while stopped I get a continuous clunking noise. The car is under an extended warranty ( Honda Care) and the dealer has heard the noise but says it is normal. They also don't see too many preludes either. I assume it is suspension or brake related. Any ideas would be helpful.
FOR ALL WHO HAVE FRONT END CLUNK ON BUMPS AND STRAIGHTAWAYS , I have figured it out! after u check all your bushings ball joints tie rods and stabalizer links and all checks well , This is the problem it is your front radius rod bushings! If you have replaced them with after market bushings the sleeve is too long! trust me the bushings should sit touching each other on the rod! if not u will get a clunk!!! Believe me!! I spent 3 weeks trying to figure this out!
I AM MORE THEN 100% THAT THIS IS YOUR PROBLEM ! IF ALL CHECKS WELL iE. BALLJOINTS TIE RODS ETC...
Sticking ball joints in the steering system. When they get hot they tend to stick and when you force them to move, they "pop". They have to sit still for a moment or two before they can stick -- that's why you only hear it when you come to a stop. When it gets hot enough, mine will start to pop as I get below ~10mph. I changed all four a few years ago and the noise went away -- for about three weeks.
Drive your car for awhile in stop-and-go traffic on a HOT day. When you stop the car, you can make it pop just by pushing down on the front fender (thus making the steering joints move). If you then take off the wheel and remove the tie-rod end from the steering knuckle, the noise goes away on that side. You can also then feel the stickiness in the ball joints by moving the tie-rod around manually. If your dealer is friendly enough to let you talk directly to the mechanic, try to get them to do this to verify if that's your problem.
I tend to agree with your answer. I have the same issue and think you are right. If you changed all and then the noise came back, are there any brands aftermarket or something we can use to fix this and be done with it?
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2001 Pearl White Prelude (base)
SS Auto (rebuilt @ 166k)
Currently 188k+ miles
The ones I used were moog, You need to shave both sleeves about an inch , or use your old sleeves if they are shorter, Best bet would be get the bushings from the dealer. Just make sure whoever installs them to make sure they touch when they are put on . A good mechanic would know
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