Loud clunking in front end

[carlybo]

I've had my E for 4 months now, and have been experiencing a loud clunking sound when I hit a small bump or sometimes even a dip in the road. At first it seemed associated with the front brakes, but now I'm guessing suspension. I've had it in to the dealer who checked it on the rack, but found nothing loose. Anyone had a similar experience?

[ttempel]

no, no such bump-related sound on my E, but I'd have the dealer look again. Perhaps have the tech come on a test drive with you, that worked for me when I had the ever-so-faint door rattle/ticking sound that they said they couldn't reproduce.

[IN MY]

I have that rattle thingy too, maybe the same thing? One happens on bumps. People here have said it is maybe the A pillar? I think one person said the cowl / wiper arm area? I also have a noise when you turn the wheels. I've been trying to get it to the dealer. Let us know how it goes.

[Anonymous]

thanks for the feedback..don't think it's the A pillar..coming from underneath the front end. Took the tech on a test drive..couldn't get it to make the noise
though. Whatever it is , it seems to be getting worse. Dealer said I'd have to leave it all day. Will let everyone know the outcome.

[k1enneth]

My CRV had a similar noise after 2k mileage. It was the front strut-suspension on the driver's side. You could get the consistent noise if you drove over potholes or a washboard road. It rattled every time over those conditions, easy for the dealership to pinpoint.

[carlybo]

Hey k1enneth..thanks for the post. Can you send me some specifics? Was it a loose nut on the strut tower, or what? Any help would be appreciated..had it to dealer twice now..they are clueless. Is there a tsb on this? Could I get the name of your dealer, so my dealer could talk to him? This thing is driving me nuts..thanks CW

[BoomerGer]

Uh.....well.....

[Anonymous]

Loud clunk when going over small bumps, was from the front area where the window meets the plastic on the Element. Took to the dealer for 10,000 oil change and he pulled out a honda alert that told about the problem. Fixed it and now it is fine

[IN MY]

Sounds similar. Do you have anything more specific? Alert / TSB number or other details? Thanks.

[Tom8108]

Had very loud rattle over even the smallest dumps. Dealer tighened the nuts at the bottom of right strut. Entire problem went away. May have to have done periodically.

[psschmied]

Had very loud rattle over even the smallest dumps. Dealer tighened the nuts at the bottom of right strut. Entire problem went away. May have to have done periodically.


Tom8108 -

If the bottom strut "nuts" were tightened properly,ie using a manual torque wrench, they should not need to be retightened. The only way that they could loosen is if the nuts or the studs they are threaded onto are stripped. If they do come loose, the fasteners need to be completely removed and examined for signs of damage, such as stripping or cross-threading.

If they are stripped, the connection could fail completely, resulting in a loss of control.

I've found items that accidentally worked their way into the dashboard and engine compartment such as coins, screwdrivers and wrench sockets that clattered or rattled when driving over bumps. These are nasty to locate, because the loose part can temporarily work its way into a spot where the problem doesn't recur for a time. One recent one was a 9/16 socket that worked its way into a u-shaped channel under an engine. Found it by accident while looking for something else during a complete engine rebuild.

When you hear unusual noises, the better that you can describe them, the more likely that they can be resolved. Loose/worn suspension connections and body connections usually have a "hand" to them, they happen more distinctly when turning hard to one side or going over a speed bump with only the tires of one side, or hitting a bump going uphill vs downhill.

[Houey]

Sorry, but I did not see a TSB on the Window/Plastic problem.

are "Honda Alerts" some kind of non-published TSB?

no clunks, just being proactive.

[GiddyUp]

To the original author of this thread. I have had my E for about 4months now as well. Twice in the last week I have noticed a similar sound. My sound is coming from the passenger front. First time I though maybe was just nothing. Then this weekend I was on a ramp to the airport, turning to the left, so all the weight was on the right front. When I went over a bump there was a thud in the right front. Unless it really starts getting louder or happening more often I will wait until my next oil change which is coming up soon. In a previous vehicle I owned I had a similar problem and it had something to so w/ the Strut mount. I'll be sure to have someone look into it.

[Anonymous]

Not sure if anyone is still reading this thread, but...

I bought mine in late 2003, and soon noticed a few noises in the suspension. Some were the "clicks" in the brake pads (normal as they shift when you go from Drive to reverse, and vice versa), but turns out the front strut had to be replaced about 4k miles. Now (at 30k), the rear shock is bad. I'm wondering if the suspension parts supplier is having a problem, and if maybe some of the body noises in this foru are actually bad shocks??

[Anonymous]

Hi , New here got my E about 2 weeks ago. 1st week fine 2nd week awefull noise developed from the drivers side front. At 1st I was convinced it was the corner of the dash or the Apillar. not so. found it rather quick. Look where the front fender meets a small triangle pc of trim between the windshield & door push on the fender a bit if it is binding against the plastic above this makes a horrible sound while breaking, accellerating and over some bumps, to fix it simply apply a little preasure with your hand to bend the fender down away from the trim, just enough so theres a little gap, no check the passanger side make sure there is a gap between the 2 same pcs.

Good luck hope this fixes it for some of u guys/