I noticed my front driver's side strut makes creaks when it's cold over speed bumps. After I drive, the creaks disappear, apparently the oil getting warmed up from the braking and engine. Is this a side of wearing struts? 94 accord ex. My bmw's blown struts acted like this also, just wanted to verify this behaviour on the accord.

And yes, struts get warmed up... ask any nascar guys out there how they used to cheat... they accounted/designed for heat warming up their gas shocks during racing to lift the rear of the car a bit for more down force.

 

If your beemer did the same thing, I'd have a pair sitting around just in case.

 

Honda has a bulletin with regards to this subject.
It involves the lower ball joints (however). It relates a condition whereas the grease used in manufacturing conjeals over time and wear causing the ball joint to run dry during cold weather.
Surprisingly, the ball joint often doesn't indicate any wear, it's just noisy.
Honda's fix to this is somewhat surprising in that they recommend "Massaging" the joint (partial disassemble and work the joint full range). It worked (for a while) but came back after several months.
At the milage the car was at, I elected to go ahead and bite the bullet; I replaced them.

P

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by P_Adams &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Honda has a bulletin with regards to this subject.
It involves the lower ball joints (however). It relates a condition whereas the grease used in manufacturing conjeals over time and wear causing the ball joint to run dry during cold weather.
Surprisingly, the ball joint often doesn't indicate any wear, it's just noisy.
Honda's fix to this is somewhat surprising in that they recommend "Massaging" the joint (partial disassemble and work the joint full range). It worked (for a while) but came back after several months.
At the milage the car was at, I elected to go ahead and bite the bullet; I replaced them.

P</TD></TR></TABLE>

Hrmm, i have new lower ball joints 1 month old. It might even be the upper one. Oh well, not annoying at all. I was just curious whether others in cold areas experienced. Chicago just got chilly this week.

 

Yeh, you're at the same point I was. A squeek I knew was coming from somewhere, but no way to lubricate anything. I'd give praise to the Lord if I could find someone who supplied ball joints for Honda's with Zerk fittings.
Do you get the noise when you turn the wheel, or when you bounce the suspension?

P

 

You just reminded me that mine used to do that. Only when it was cold. I figured it was the strut doing it. It was a strange sound, kind of like a fart.

 

I only get the sound when i go over a speed bump (when cold), more of a sudden shift in suspension height, only up front. Hmm, I didnt get OEM ball joints, so that may be it . Again, with my bmw... struts get blown, ball joints get blown.... nothing to worry about. The car wont fall apart, just ride and sound like **** until you find some time to fix it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bluskye &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I noticed my front driver's side strut makes creaks when it's cold over speed bumps.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Is it leaking oil?

 

Stabalizer Bar inner bushing (Bar to Body mounts) come to mind.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by P_Adams &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Honda has a bulletin with regards to this subject.
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What's that bulletin number? I cant find anything on it.

 

I also live in Chicago and I know exactly what you are talking about. I have a 1999 accord EX and my struts creak too. I just got mine put on about 3 months ago, so I don't think that yours are going bad. As to your BMW, my dad has a 1990 325ic and his struts creaked before they went out too. My best advice would be to let your car warm up in the morning before driving it.

 

I go here for this kind '0 stuff

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/tsb/

or

http://www.alldata.com/TSB/24/95241580.html

TSB 95036, I believe.

P

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by P_Adams &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
TSB 95036, I believe.

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That one doesn't have anything to do with a ball joint. sb#95-036 covers a squeek over bumps coming from the bumpstop on the front shocks. It only applies to japan built cars.

 

The front struts are not leaking oil at all. At least, I didnt see any when I swapped axles. Being oil based boges on the accord like my bmw, it would be apparent if they were leaking.

It may be a bushing for the sway bars like someone mentioned, but at this point im not too worried about it right now. Ill inspect them when i change my oil next time and see if they are cracked, or just lube them with some good ole lithium grease.

 

If I remember correctly, it was issued several years after the 5th gens went to 6th. It also involved the Odyssey (I believe), but I'm having a bear of a time finding it.

 

lube the inner sway bar bushings see if it helps......use regular grease but don't get any on the outside of the bushing and the bracket otherwise the braket might slip ..be sure to just lubr the inside of the bushing and the bar