GearHeadDriver

iTrader: (1)

1995 Honda Civic Hatchback VX.

I have a really annoying squeaking, creaking, and sometimes ticking rear. The majority of the noise is coming from what I believe to be the passenger side rear. The problem is, I can't always reproduce the problem. It happens on certain bumps on the road, and mostly when I turn hard to the left. Initially, I was able to jump on the door sill to compress the spring, and when the spring would fully extend itself again, it would tick a little bit. I was able to solve this by having the trailing arm bolt replaced completely with some anti-seize grease too. I'm still having the creaking and squeaking in the rear though.

I've had the bushings looked at I was told and shown they functioned correctly.

Parts I have replaced on the vehicle in the rear:
1. Lower control arms (Summer 2015)
2. Upper control arms (Early August 2016)
3. Disc brake conversion from drum brakes.
4. Tie Rods.

I'm a little unsure what to do at the moment. My mechanic hasn't been able to locate the problem. He did tell me nothing was obviously wrong with my suspension, or anything pertaining to the rear or front of the car.

Maybe it's something to do with my shocks or struts?

What would be my next course of action for troubleshooting this issue?

98civdx

it's a 21 year old Honda, your throwing money at a problem you may never be able to find, let alone fix.

Could it be the shocks? yes.
Could something in the suspension be binding, yes.
It could be something in the car causing the noise.

GearHeadDriver

iTrader: (1)

I don't have a problem with putting money into the car to fix it. That's why I'm continuing to troubleshoot it. I made the decision to solve it. An example would be when my rotor splash guard was rubbing the inside of my rim causing a nasty loud clanking noise. I could have just lived with it, but it actually ended up being a 5 minute fix. My mechanic was able to bend the splash guard a hair back to avoid it from striking the rim balancing weights.

I can confirm it's nothing inside the car. People have said they can hear the noise outside.

Former User

Check for cracks in the muffler pipes. Inspect the rear exhaust system.

tony_2018

Play guessing games? I'm out....

GearHeadDriver

iTrader: (1)

How is that contributing to solving the problem? I specifically asked what would another recommendation be for troubleshooting my problem.

I'll have that checked and update this thread when I know something. Thanks!

oneheadlight

It could very well be the chassis creaking because of its age. I had this happen on my 96, I put on a rear strut tower bar on and no more noises! I think that over time things (obviously) loosen up, and the bar pulls it all back together, stopping it from overly flexing. I couldn't get it to make the noise if I sat in the trunk. It was only when it was moving over uneven surfaces causing the back end to twist. I found my strut tower bar for like $30, spec-d makes it. Works well. Got it from carid.com.

GearHeadDriver

iTrader: (1)

That's actually a really good idea. I appreciate the info!
Upon some research on the forum, it looks like I can use different types of braces such as: H-Brace, upper or lower sway bar, etc. Looks like I have some more research to do.

oneheadlight

I doubt it, that's only for the suspension not the chassis. And my creaking/noises was from the chassis. A strut bar is for the chassis. It does help the struts, but only because it stabilizes the chassis.

oneheadlight

and an H brace would be similar just more work than a strut tower brace. I like simple if it gets the job done.

GearHeadDriver

iTrader: (1)

I had my car looked at by a reputable shop. They explained that the noise could be coming from the bushings in the rear passenger. They couldn't pinpoint the issue, but told me it could be the lower or upper control arms, followed by the strut tower mount. I find that odd because I literally just did my upper control arms the other week and one of the noises has been present before the replacement.

So, I'm going to inspect the strut tower mount, but beyond that I'm unsure what to do. Maybe I'll replace the lower control arms with OEM rubber spec bushings. I also have to find out if the bushings on the upper control arms are polyurethane or rubber. The shop seemed confident that polyurethane bushings compared to rubber ones are more prone to making noise and are more stiff.

Former User

Sounds like they're just guessing at your cost. That's why doing your own diagnoses and repairs is generally the best option, when possible.

Did you inspect the exhaust system in the rear? Hairline cracks are not always obvious and can cause squeaking. Rule in or out the simple things first.

HondaTechMan121

its dem rear springs the rubber dampers wear out and make sounds going over little bumps does it sound like a box of glass bottles hitting each other?

tony_2018

Honda Grease on the tophat rubber thingies, could also be the shaft on the strut which means the strut is blown, could be the bolts holding up most of your rear suspension that is rubbing against the components. etc...etc...etc...

Powered_By_ Jesus

iTrader: (1)

When the polyurethane bushings were replaced, was the proper lubricant used during the install?

I had a similar issue when I initially installed my rear camber kit with poly bushings as I installed them in a rush and didn't apply any lubricant. After a few hundred miles the rear was annoyingly squeaking/creaking on EVERY slight bump. Once I took them off, dissembled them and used Energy Suspension bushing lubricant on the bushings and re-installed, the squeaking/creaking was completely gone.

Hope this helps!

GearHeadDriver

iTrader: (1)

Here is a video clearly showing the noise of the creaking I've been talking about. The muffler is not making the noise. I hope this helps.

New Link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/nrqa8c297ih1ptz/CivicRearRattle.mp4?dl=0

slomofo

iTrader: (1)

Depending on what you eat, your rear may make some undesirable noises. It's all part of human nature and if it bothers you, change your dietary habits.

GearHeadDriver

iTrader: (1)

That's funny, but seriously lets stay on track.

Mecca8383

That's the noise (and video) of a man walking down a hallway for 3 seconds....

I know you replaced the control arms....but how do the bushings look? Are they cracked? Falling apart? Check them 1 more time and see...

tony_2018

Video doesn't show, or hear, anything other than someone walking.

GearHeadDriver

iTrader: (1)

Oops, my mistake. I selected the wrong video. Try the same link again from my original post or down below.. Your link that's quoted is now broken.

I'll have them looked at tomorrow. Since the last time they were checked, I was told they were fine. They were looked at a week ago. Try the Dropbox link again. It's correct now. You might want to remove the link from your quoted message. That link is now dead.

Thanks!


New Link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/nrqa8c297i...attle.mp4?dl=0

civic402lx

Check the bushing on the compensator arm that is attached to your trailing arm..

Mecca8383

Idea.....Pull the backseat forward to gain access to the trunk, have someone else drive your car while you listen in the backseat where exactly the sound is coming from. That can tell you what component to look at in that specific area.
In the video it sounds more like a bumping/thumping sound..as if someone is trying to get out the trunk.

tony_2018

Asking for username/password.

Just go back and grease up your bolts that hold your rear suspension together.

chrysler kid

On my lx, and on my black hx, the muffler was cracked on the back side of where the muffler pipe connects to the mid pipe. A new $60 walker muffler unit fixed both cars. They would have a squak/rattle over bumps