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Honda Accord: Why is My Car Squeaking?

There's really nothing more annoying than your car squeaking as you roll down the highway. Check out this guide to help you find the source of that annoying squeak, and what you can do to fix it yourself.

By Brett Foote - March 12, 2015

This article applies to the Honda Accord (1990-2002).

As cars get older, they will naturally begin to loosen up and make a lot of annoying noises. You may not know where to begin looking for the cause of that dreadful squeaking noise. While the cause may come from a variety of issues, this guide will help you narrow down the problem. Keep reading to find out how to rid yourself of that annoyance once and for all.

Materials Needed

  • Grease gun
  • Ball joint tool
  • Pry bar
  • Jack and jack stands
  • Slide hammer

Step 1 – Check the ball joints

A common problem with higher mileage Accords are the ball joints. The grease that surrounds the ball joints slowly dry up, and can even become waxy in cold weather. This will cause the car to squeak when turning, driving over bumps and dips, or when the front end is pushed down.

Re-greasing the ball joints may fix the problem, but you might also need to replace them. Along with the ball joints, any worn or cracked ball joint boots should also be replaced.

Figure 1. Dry ball joints can cause a squeak.

If the ball joints show no signs of breakage or wear, then check your bushings.

Step 2 – Check your bushings

There are several bushings on the front suspension that can cause squeaking noises when they are worn out. It can be hard to pinpoint exactly where the noise is coming from, so—with the help of another person—push down on the front end of your car and listen for the source of the squeak. Be sure to check the sway bar, shock bushings, radius rod bushings, upper and lower control arms. Any one of these could be the culprit. If your bushings in one or more of these components are the cause, they will need to be replaced.

Figure 2. Several components of the front suspension can cause a squeaking noise.

If the source of the squeak isn't coming from any of the bushings, then check the wheel hubs and bearings.

Step 3 – Check your wheel hubs and bearings

If the noise is coming from your wheels, it's possible that the wheel hubs and bearings are wearing out or about to wear out. To confirm that these are the cause of the noise, first you will need to jack the car up. Wiggle and rotate the wheel from side to side with some force. If you feel it wobble, this is an indication that your wheel hubs and bearings might be bad. Additionally, check the tire tread and brake pads to make sure they aren't causing the problem. Uneven wear on the tires can also be a sign that the bearings are bad.

Figure 3. Worn out wheel hubs and bearings will make a lot of noise.

if you find that none of these components are causing your car to squeak, you may need to take your car to an auto shop or the dealership.

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