heres the deal: on straight roads, even when turning hard, the ride is silent and alignment/tracking is perfect

hit a bump, and i get this loud clunking/creaking sound, especially from the rear that sounds like its coming from the rear wheel wells...like the top of the strut towers in the rear

its pretty heinous, so i can't ignore it. basically sounds like the strut+spring is loosely mounted to the car.

all stock...156k....im ruling out blown struts because the ride is absolutely not bouncy.

guesses:

-bushings?
-strut stoppers?
-somethings just loose?

 

its just prob the struts... if you press down on the back end does the car go up and down with ease?

 

mine did this on the drivers front, it was the 14mm shock shaft bolt loose, tightened it and it stopped...

then the same sound from the passenger side, shock shaft bolt was fine, turns out the ball joints are gone, so an entire front steering/suspension rebuild kit is on the way

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 2coupes &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">mine did this on the drivers front, it was the 14mm shock shaft bolt loose, tightened it and it stopped...

then the same sound from the passenger side, shock shaft bolt was fine, turns out the ball joints are gone, so an entire front steering/suspension rebuild kit is on the way</TD></TR></TABLE>

this "kit" you are talking about, who makes it? or are you just buying everything individually?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by b18civicHx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">this "kit" you are talking about, who makes it? or are you just buying everything individually?</TD></TR></TABLE>

it's oem parts, sold together on ebay
* 2 Upper Control Arms with Ball Joints and all the bushings.
* 2 Lower Ball Joints.
* 2 Outer Tie Rod Ends
* 2 Inner Tie Rod Ends
* 2 Sway Bar Link Kits (Stabilizer Link)
* All the cotter pins and retainer clips


got it for $145

 

Rear could be trailing arm bushing and all the lower control arm bushings.
52385-S21-003 is the newest Honda part# for the 88-00 civics. It also works on the 94-01 Integras. They're about $25 ea at http://www.magauto.com.

The rear lower control arms, you can get brand new OE ones for about $65ea, or each individual bushings for about $14ea.

That front kit is also a good idea and is inexpensive.

At 156k your dampers may not be blown but they are definately worn; not bouncy doesn't mean not worn. Springs may be sagging, I've had a couple hondas where i'd experience stock springs sagging after 90k miles.

 

Check the brake spring clip that holds the pad stable in the caliper... it happned to my roommates car.