front end clunking

[frozenrice]

I'm a few posts short of being able to post anywhere else on this forum so sorry if this is in the wrong spot. I got my CB9 last December (2005) and I've had this clunking noise coming from the front end. I searched and have tried all the other suggestions found here. Axels are good, hub/bearings are good, brand new sway bar end links have been installed. Service records that came with the car indicate that the front springs and shocks were replaced not to long before I bought the car. I had an alignment done, which included a front end inspection and there was nothing to report in terms of any bad suspension steering components.

It seems to me that the guy in this linked thread had the same symptons as I have and am wondering if anyone can confirm if his fix solved the clunking.

http://www.cb7tuner.com/vbb/showthre...light=clunking

[cp[mike]]

check your balljoints, where the upper A-arm connects to the top of the knuckle, as well as the lower balljoint between the knuckle and the lower control arm. if the boots are torn and theres no grease inside, they dry out and wear down to the point of being loose. they can clunk back and forth

[frozenrice]

Thanks for the tip. I think I've checked them already, but I can't remember what shape they're in. Just to clarify, do the upper control arms have a rear brace tying the two anchor bolt locations together? I know with second gen Integras, you more or less have to remove the shock assembly to get the upper control arm off because of that stupid useless brace. Also, do you basically hammer the lower ball joint out of the knuckle or is there a certain way to do it on Accords?

[freq]

Your front motor mount maybe?

[gloryaccordy]

Motor mounts or lower ball joints...

[Lil' Whitie]

i have the same thing too.

found out my passenger upper ball joint was waaayyy shot man.

when you turn and hit the gas the car takes off on ya or when u hit bumps on turns.

upper ball joints are easy to replace but u might need a pickle fork to remove the baljoint and three nuts later it is ready go to go.

also i have a clunking if i drve slow on uneven roads cuz my front stablizer bushing is shot too. so it u like go in a driveway at an angle and u feel/.hear a rattle could be a stablizer bushing.

hopes it helps!

[bishpuppy]

i have the same problem. I replaced BOTH front axel and the problem went away for a week. Then my car started to do the song "shake it like a salt shaker" and i had to replace my passenger side TIE-ROD i think is called. Once the tierod was replaced, when i turn, it makes a clicking sound. my bro in law said he hears it only from the passenger side, and not the driver side [i thought it was both and was just about to replace them again (yea, not even a month old)]. My bro in law said he hears it onl from the right side and he thinks it might be ball joints. It doesnt' do it if i drive straight, only if i turn and accelarate. if i dont accelerate, it doestn' make the sound.

Sorry to steal from your post, but if we have the same problem, might as well.
Should i replace my ball joints? and if so, which, lower, upper?? icalled pepboys and they were asking me so many questions, i felt stupid [which i am when it comes to cars].

[frozenrice]

If the ball joints were going when would it moist likely make noise? Going over curbs, bumps or rough roads, I don't hear anything at all. I only get the clunking when I accelerate somewhat heavily.

[gloryaccordy]

If the ball joints were going when would it moist likely make noise? Going over curbs, bumps or rough roads, I don't hear anything at all. I only get the clunking when I accelerate somewhat heavily.

Well I had a similar problem...on acceleration my car would clunk...I replaced the axles and filled my motor mounts and the problem was still there. Then I replaced the tie rods and the problem was still there. The mechanics were misdiagnosing the noise and saying it was my tie rods...but when I got those fixed again the noise was still there. Finally I swallowed the bullet and paid the $300 to get my lower ball joints fixed...the clunking went away and my car rides like it's brand new.

Shops hate doing our ball joints because you have to remove the knuckles to do them. But fuck them it's your money and your car. Tell them to look at the ball joints and if they're bad replace them, as that is probably the biggest wear component that will affect your car ride and noise wise.

[CARMandP]

Same problem with mine. 248k on the car I can expect a few noises. Found right upper ball joint worn out and knocking. Bought a set off ebay for $75 and replaced both front upper control arms along with the bushings (Energy Kit) and my Skunk2 springs.

[Stanleybb50]

Any "Clicking" should mean the axle....

And as for the original post and possibly some others "clunking" problems.... this might sound a little wierd and you might think its not it - but the brake rotor as your probably know is not held on by the lug nuts on these hondas... instead they use their own bolts to hold them on... i had a cluking noise that i would hear when i hit my brakes and while i was driving down the road and couldnt figure it out for the life of me for a week or so -- then i checked that rotor - and even though it was barely loose and the sound didnt seem to be coming from it - i tightened all four bolts on it and the noise was gone --- try that out and see what happens... i could be way off - but it very well could be the problem.

[91whitecb7]

bad inner tie rods