Clunking in front when it's cold - Honda Prelude Forum

khilgers · 01-15-2003, 09:04 PM

I've had my car into the dealership twice now to try to figure out where this clunking is coming from in the front of the car. I've already done a search and found a couple helpful threads, but I want to know how many people have had this same problem and what you did to fix it. They tried to fix the problem by removing the ball joints and rotating them and putting them back in, what ever that was supposed to do. Was there any kind of recall for the ball joints on the 5th gens? If I get enough info together I can print this out and bring it with me to the dealership to try and get this issue resolved. It would be nice to get some info together to get everything fixed. Like "shock knock" or any other problems that have plagued the prelude. Thanks for any help you can give me.

5thgenluder · 01-16-2003, 12:02 PM

is it like every time you are stopped and go to accelerate it makes a clunking noise?

khilgers · 01-16-2003, 12:02 PM

^^Bump^^

Come on I just read a thread about this a couple days ago. I need to have proof that this has happended to numerouse people so I can bring this into the dealership and prove to them that this is the problem.

khilgers · 01-16-2003, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 5thgenluder
is it like every time you are stopped and go to accelerate it makes a clunking noise?

Yep.

Danomite · 01-16-2003, 01:35 PM

Did they check your springs to see if it slipped out of of the upper mount? sometimes a very hard bump could cause this to happen. Then when it happens you will get that clunking noise everytime you go or stop. Worst you will also get it when making a turn. The noise will be coming from the shock tower.

yomatasboosh · 01-16-2003, 02:16 PM

Yup, that happens to my 2001 lude in the winter months. At first I thought it was the clutch, but today I heard the same noise when I lifted off the brakes so it must be something with the suspension.

nmehta211 · 01-16-2003, 02:21 PM

It is definitely not the upper ball joints, shocks, or springs. All of these have been replaced on my car in the past year, and it has had no effect.

khilgers · 01-16-2003, 03:15 PM

It's not the springs or the struts or the ball joints. A lot of people have narrowed it down to the front control arm bushing. I'm trying to get a big thread together so I can print it out and bring it to the dealership. That way I can show them proof that a lot of people have had the same problem and this is how you need to fix it. If you've had the same problem PLEASE respond here so I have something to bring in to the dealership.

thepreludedude · 01-16-2003, 04:42 PM

i have the same problem, even after my new h&r springs, koni, and camber kits. only does it when it like 20 degrees or colder.

khilgers · 01-16-2003, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by thepreludedude
i have the same problem, even after my new h&r springs, koni, and camber kits. only does it when it like 20 degrees or colder.

Did you fix it? If so, how?

thepreludedude · 01-16-2003, 06:03 PM

^^^^ nope, had the suspension checked out by a couple places. one honda and one high end foreign repair shop. neither one could find anything wrong. drives fine, just that damn noise when it is really cold out.

khilgers · 01-16-2003, 08:26 PM

I'm pretty sure that the front control arm is to blame, but I need some input from other people that have had the same problem.

Danomite · 01-16-2003, 08:45 PM

Is your car lowered? If it is then just raise up the front and shake your suspension. Shake your wheels side to side and up and down. Check to see if its tight and that nothing is loose. Side to side looseness would be either your Inner or Outter Tie Rods. Up and down would either be your Wheel Bearing or Ball Joint. I would recommend checking those things out first before comming to any conclusion.

5thgenluder · 01-16-2003, 08:52 PM

i have the same problem

khilgers · 01-16-2003, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 5thgenluder
i have the same problem

Does it only happen when it's cold. And if you fixed it, what did you have to do?

achemze · 01-16-2003, 09:30 PM

i have a similar problem, however i have not had it fixed. or even looked at. Other problems to fix before i worry about noises like that (i have 2 mils to look after).

Justwakin · 01-16-2003, 10:01 PM

its common on preludes. the suspension just doesnt like cold weather. mine does just like the rest of ntpof when its cold here in dallas. only when its cold it will do it. nothing wrong. just makes noises. i wouldnt let it get to you. your front end is not gonna come apart or anything.

jc836 · 01-16-2003, 10:27 PM

Yet another view-check the mounting bolts for the upper control arms. If the suspension has been apart and these bolts were removed-it is very possible that they have backed out just a little. Happened on my car-my Honda tech could move the arm from side to side-so he simply tightened the 2 cross bolts and no noises.

achemze · 01-16-2003, 10:32 PM

So, if i can move the tire in any direction (besides rotating), something is loose? i will check this out when i lower her tomorrow.

beaty · 01-17-2003, 02:02 AM

When it's very cold outside, my car makes some funny clunking noises when I make a turn and stop (like when turning to a park lot). It doesn't do it all the time. Only occassionally. The noise is somewhat like you knock on a big empty tin can, or like you flip your fingers on a spring. It's a solid metallic type of sound with some short echo. I'm pretty sure it's from the front suspension area but I was never able to id the problem. My car is a 01 SH 100% stock by the way.