Ok, so I am pretty sure it is time to replace the shocks and struts on my accord. I am hearing farting type noises when I hit bumps, especially when it is cold. The stuff that is on there now is the stock equipment and has 133K on them. I'm not looking to slam the car, but wouldn't mind a slight drop, maybe 1 -1.5 inches. I am also not looking to break the bank... What would y'all suggest for the front and rears? Its a 97 LX with 17's...

 

From my experience, Tein Basics are a great bang for the buck coilover set up ($650 or less)

 

tein basic = OEM Dampening with uber soft spring rates.....not worth the price IMO

AGX shocks with the spring of your choice

 

That farting sound is coming from the ball joints. Not the struts. Grease doesn't flow well when it gets cold. Started with the cold wheather, right? Honda suggested massageing the joints, but it doesn't last. I heard farting sounds for a few years (only in winter), and never knew what it was. P Adams said it was ball joints.

 

Are they going bad or is this normal? Yes, started with the cold. Upon further investigation, it looks liek I have shocks int he front too, not struts...

 

KYB AGX shocks + Eibach Pro-kit (Front: 1.3 in/Rear: 1.3 in) springs.

 

Eibach Pro-kit if you got 17's.

Also that noise you're hearing is you Upper control arm bushings.
They probably are shot.
You cant buy them seperatly from Honda.
You gotta order the whole arm.

 

No, they're definitely struts: just not McPherson's as you're used too.

BLKFLSH is correct. Honda had a paper published thru which they were responding to a 'creaking, skruntching noise when bouncing the suspension. The problem was due to the Monkey Grease used in assembling these innovative "sealed for Life" Ball Joints hardening during cold weather and causing the joint(s) to run dry.
They offered a "fix" procedure which suggested "Massaging" the ball joints full range and reassembling.
It's not a permanent fix. (came back after several weeks)
At 156,000 miles I was fed up with the Right Lower singing away, so I elected to have both lower b'joints replaced.
It's kept it's mouth shut ever since

P

 

so i dont need a new suspension...just new ball joints.

 

Yes, I'm sure ball joints are cheaper too.

 

19 bucks each vs 235 for springs and 300ish for shocks/struts. i need new wheel bearings too though. my FR is making a grinding noise.

 

When going straight, or only when turning?

 

Try rotating the front tires to the rear, and note if the noise follows them. Some tread designs develop wear patterns that cause noise over their lifetime.
If the noise now appears to have either changed, or moved to the rear; congratulate yourself and put the money you'd have paid for the hub bearings towards a good investment, like beer or women

P

 

Tech manual says I cant replace the upper ball joints w/o replacing a whole assembly. I can only replace the lower... Is this true

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fw190bvi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">tein basic = OEM Dampening with uber soft spring rates.....not worth the price IMO

AGX shocks with the spring of your choice </TD></TR></TABLE>

ive got basics on and they are a lot stiffer than stock, i like them a lot, you dont know what youre talking about

 

I just saw this thread after I posted mine. I'm hearing the same "farting" noise, but I call it "creaking", and it's pretty loud, especially when it's cold outside and I drive the car for the first time that day.

Those of you who suggested the noise could be worn ball joints: could you take a glance at my thread (Accord suspension system question) and see if I'm experiencing the same problem as Tangy2001?

Thanks!

Ollin