DBada FM

iTrader: (3)

I have a 06 Civic EX coupe and when the car was purchased(used), it had a knocking sound coming from the front suspension area whenever I would drive over speed bumps, uneven roads, etc. Its sounds and feels like the strut was bottoming out. My first instinct after quickly checking things through was to replace the struts. So I went and bought some KYB Excels and replaced the old stock struts. After installing everything back on, the same symptoms still plagued the car. Now, I'm thinking that it might be the lower control arm bushing but after inspecting both side of the bushings, they only have minimal cracks. From my experience, minimal cracks like that wouldn't cause the struts to rebound so harshly as that. Or am I wrong? Let me know if anyone here has had a similar issues and if you could help me point me to the right direction onto what is causing this problem.

DBada FM

iTrader: (3)

bueller?

vladd

I know that the bump stops were a somewhat common problem on Si's, don't know if it applies to the lower trims as well. My '08 Si front left strut would make a popping sound over bumps at low speed, if the steering wheel was turned. I ended up driving it that way for 3 years and it never got worse. Replacing only the strut wouldn't fix the issue, if the bump stop was reused.

lazlong

Not replacing the top mounts can damage the struts. I destroyed a set in 1 day because I didn't replace the top mounts. I have a 2001 but, it's the same principle.

DBada FM

iTrader: (3)

That's the thing though.. the old struts I replaced were still good ( no leaks & rebounded fine compare to the new KYBs ). But I replaced them anyways since I've already purchased them.

vladd

My strut with the popping sound didn't leak either. I was going to replace the bump stop, but ended up getting coilovers instead.

k24z7

I had a 99 si that made a knocking sound whenever I went over bumps and my first thought was also the struts. Then I found out I had a couple broken engine mounts. Fixed the mounts, fixed the knocking.

DBada FM

iTrader: (3)

How many miles was on your Si when this happened? I wouldn't think that it would be the case since the car barely has 90k..

k24z7

About 150k.

You did buy it used, so you never know what it's been through.

DBada FM

iTrader: (3)

I've checked all the engine mounts and they all look good. My integra's mounts used to look worse and it didn't have the same symptoms as I'm getting with this car.

I'll probably replace the front lower control arm bushings and see if it goes away. But it's weird though, the car only has 90k and I would think that the life of the OEM bushing would last longer than that.. maybe Honda's quality isn't the same as it use to be?