Need advice of strut rattle on a Honda Civic

[Jim Oaks]

Hey guys,

My wife has a 2001 Honda Civic that has a rattle from the right front. I believe it's from the strut. It rattles when she hits a bump in the road and sometimes makes a 'pop' sound when she turns and starightens the wheels back out.

We were going to take her car on vacation next week since it gets much better gas mileage than my F150. I'm concerned about the front end noise. I've never had a vehicle with a front strut problem.

I don't want to spend money for a new strut right before vacation, but I also don't want to worry about something breaking while we we're away and being stranded.

I also read today that the upper strut mount can cause a rattle.

Anyone know how to check it and how hard it is to replace the upper strut mount?

 

[TRX501RYAN]

I know on newer pontiac grand prix's the top coil and strut have a bearing that is worked when tunring, does the civic use the same idea? i know it cause noises and poping when they go bad?

 

[Explorin94]

Sounds like an upper strut bearing. The bearings usually pop when turning like you say and rattle when you hit bumps.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I've been told to check the upper strut mount and the sway bar link. I'm hoping it's the link.

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

The struts are fairly easy to remove from that car. And you gave a dead-on description of a bad strut mount/ bearing plate. I've never seen a strut mount cost more than $40 at the most. And your gunna need a spring compressor.

 

[Jim Oaks]

Do I have to completely remove the strut, and if so, will it need an alignment when I'm done?

 

[Black'03LevelII]

Jim you shouldn't need an alignment for just a strut replacement. Look into a "loaded" strut so you wouldn't need the spring compressor. I replaced both front struts on my buddies civic for him once, used the "loaded" ones and made the job way way easier. He never needed an alignment on it until he lowered it.

 

[WisdoM]

heres a great site for part breakdown diagrams for Hondas…sometimes they have good prices too
http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/jsp/mws/PartsSearch.jsp

 

[Jim Oaks]

Crap. I looked everything over. It's the lower ball joint. Now I have to figure out how to change it......