Front End Clunk + Increased Idle Cabin Vibration
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Front End Clunk + Increased Idle Cabin Vibration
I have a clunking sound like somethin is loose when going over uneven roads or when the suspension is in full droop..
I've changed:
-control arm bushings
-all ball joints (lower and upper)
When I jack up the front of the car there is zero play while trying to shake each side around.. I also get vibration at higher speeds as well (this might be a blancing issue)
I've also noticed my Idle getting alot rougher in the cabin but the RPM isn't fluctuating.. I've also noticed that when shutting the car off the cabin shakes ALOT and also on start up.
In addition, I've had an exhaust leak which I believe has started around the same time I had started to notice the increase clunking noise.. which maybe caused by worn engine mounts allowing the engine to move too much and maybe breaking the flexpipe???
I'm not sure but the mounts are fairly expensive and the bolts on my mounts are in pretty bad shape (rust wise) so before I decide to tackle this I want to be a little more certain this is my problem lol
Inputs?
I've changed:
-control arm bushings
-all ball joints (lower and upper)
When I jack up the front of the car there is zero play while trying to shake each side around.. I also get vibration at higher speeds as well (this might be a blancing issue)
I've also noticed my Idle getting alot rougher in the cabin but the RPM isn't fluctuating.. I've also noticed that when shutting the car off the cabin shakes ALOT and also on start up.
In addition, I've had an exhaust leak which I believe has started around the same time I had started to notice the increase clunking noise.. which maybe caused by worn engine mounts allowing the engine to move too much and maybe breaking the flexpipe???
I'm not sure but the mounts are fairly expensive and the bolts on my mounts are in pretty bad shape (rust wise) so before I decide to tackle this I want to be a little more certain this is my problem lol
Inputs?
#2
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Re: Front End Clunk + Increased Idle Cabin Vibration
You should be able to inspect the motor mounts without removing them. Crawl under there with a flashlight and see if they are torn.
Is your car lowered or do you have any other suspension mods?
Is your car lowered or do you have any other suspension mods?
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Re: Front End Clunk + Increased Idle Cabin Vibration
I'm planning on testing them buy putting load on the engine at a stand still to see how much engine movement I get but I don't know what is considered normal movement though...
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Re: Front End Clunk + Increased Idle Cabin Vibration
found these bushings cracked and torn this morning,
could this be causing my clunk over holes, uneven roads and speed bumps??
Passenger side:
Driver side:
could this be causing my clunk over holes, uneven roads and speed bumps??
Passenger side:
Driver side:
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Re: Front End Clunk + Increased Idle Cabin Vibration
So i'll do a little update on here.
The noise still persists.
I've changed so far:
- All ball joints (lower and upper)
- All LCA bushings (all three bushings)
- Swaybar endlinks
Everything is tight. no play when I move the components when jacked up (no load)
Im thinking maybe the swaybar bushings??
Does anyone have a DIY for this??
The noise is really a clunk clunk when the car is either tossed side to side or small bumps (don't really know how to explain but the suspension loads very little kind of like rolling bumps if u know what i mean...) and protruding rail road tracks.
There is no noise when hitting cracks in the road or similar step ups in the road.
The noise still persists.
I've changed so far:
- All ball joints (lower and upper)
- All LCA bushings (all three bushings)
- Swaybar endlinks
Everything is tight. no play when I move the components when jacked up (no load)
Im thinking maybe the swaybar bushings??
Does anyone have a DIY for this??
The noise is really a clunk clunk when the car is either tossed side to side or small bumps (don't really know how to explain but the suspension loads very little kind of like rolling bumps if u know what i mean...) and protruding rail road tracks.
There is no noise when hitting cracks in the road or similar step ups in the road.
#7
Re: Front End Clunk + Increased Idle Cabin Vibration
Your front engine mount is most likely the cause of this. It is a very common problem. I see at least one a week at my dealership.
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#9
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Re: Front End Clunk + Increased Idle Cabin Vibration
Look down between the radiator and engine. You'll see a thick metal bracket with a thick rubber bushing in it. If you can't see it from the top look from underneath. They'll be one in front, back, and on each side of the engine/trans assembly.
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Re: Front End Clunk + Increased Idle Cabin Vibration
Thank you, yes i know where they are but im just wondering what to look for to show that one needs to be replaced..
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Re: Front End Clunk + Increased Idle Cabin Vibration
so thats the front engine mount from the bottom view?? mine doesn' look like that from underneath...
This is mine:
In fact, I don't see any mounts that look like that in the diagram of my engine:
This is mine:
In fact, I don't see any mounts that look like that in the diagram of my engine:
Last edited by blackcivic11; 07-18-2012 at 08:06 AM.
#13
Re: Front End Clunk + Increased Idle Cabin Vibration
It's #9 in the parts catalog picture above. You actually need two people to verify the mount is broken. One person should power brake the car in forward and then reverse gear within about 5 seconds apart from each gear. You will be able to see the engine's excessive movement in the front followed by a loud thud from inside the cabin. There is a rubber cover over the mount which hampers the ability to actually see the mounts breaking point, but typically it is right at the top of the rubber portion where the 14mm bolt goes to the bracket attached to the engine. It is very common, especially with the J30 and J35 power plants. However, the K24 also falls victim at times. I collect these things and sell them to the junk guy when he comes through.
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Re: Front End Clunk + Increased Idle Cabin Vibration
alright so I took a better look at the mount and it seems fine..
I really think this is something suspension related... even small rolls in the road like a little tiny crest that doesn't make the car shift weight will make the noise and its apparent to be either the right side or the left side.. it doesn't seem like its coming only from the front middle in general..
I really think this is something suspension related... even small rolls in the road like a little tiny crest that doesn't make the car shift weight will make the noise and its apparent to be either the right side or the left side.. it doesn't seem like its coming only from the front middle in general..
#16
Re: Front End Clunk + Increased Idle Cabin Vibration
alright so I took a better look at the mount and it seems fine..
I really think this is something suspension related... even small rolls in the road like a little tiny crest that doesn't make the car shift weight will make the noise and its apparent to be either the right side or the left side.. it doesn't seem like its coming only from the front middle in general..
I really think this is something suspension related... even small rolls in the road like a little tiny crest that doesn't make the car shift weight will make the noise and its apparent to be either the right side or the left side.. it doesn't seem like its coming only from the front middle in general..
Did you ever resolve this issue?
I'm shopping for SWMBO's next car and interested in understanding what goes wrong as Acura's age.
Thanks!
#17
Re: Front End Clunk + Increased Idle Cabin Vibration
Hey, i had the same problem. Was the engine mount. I replaced it with an aftermarket one and it shook even more. Whatever you do. GET OEM!
#18
Re: Front End Clunk + Increased Idle Cabin Vibration
im having a similar issue. would a front mount cause a terrible shaking and vibration at intermittent speeds? so bad i had to get off the highway so i could go under 40mph?
I do need struts, but i cant see that causing this.
Am i wrong?
I replaced both front axles and it went away but after driving 20 miles it came back just like it was.
get home, park it get up head to work the next day it was gone again. right before i got off my exit BAM its back again.
noone can give me an answer and im lost about to lose my job bc im afraid to drive it.
I have driven **** boxes my whole life but this one scares me to death
any suggestions please?
I do need struts, but i cant see that causing this.
Am i wrong?
I replaced both front axles and it went away but after driving 20 miles it came back just like it was.
get home, park it get up head to work the next day it was gone again. right before i got off my exit BAM its back again.
noone can give me an answer and im lost about to lose my job bc im afraid to drive it.
I have driven **** boxes my whole life but this one scares me to death
any suggestions please?
#19
Re: Front End Clunk + Increased Idle Cabin Vibration
im having a similar issue. would a front mount cause a terrible shaking and vibration at intermittent speeds? so bad i had to get off the highway so i could go under 40mph?
I do need struts, but i cant see that causing this.
Am i wrong?
I replaced both front axles and it went away but after driving 20 miles it came back just like it was.
get home, park it get up head to work the next day it was gone again. right before i got off my exit BAM its back again.
noone can give me an answer and im lost about to lose my job bc im afraid to drive it.
I have driven **** boxes my whole life but this one scares me to death
any suggestions please?
I do need struts, but i cant see that causing this.
Am i wrong?
I replaced both front axles and it went away but after driving 20 miles it came back just like it was.
get home, park it get up head to work the next day it was gone again. right before i got off my exit BAM its back again.
noone can give me an answer and im lost about to lose my job bc im afraid to drive it.
I have driven **** boxes my whole life but this one scares me to death
any suggestions please?
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