Posted on another forum but I am hopeful that I will get more help here since I am sure this can happen to any car/honda...

So I was driving the other day and lately I have heard this weird creak/grunt type sound coming from the front end of the car but its getting worse.

If I am at a dead stop and accelerate I hear a creaking sound and a grunt coming from the front drivers side of the car and its usually associated with a popping feel in the steering wheel - even if I am not turning it.

Then I shift to second and third and every time I shift I hear a grunting type of noise and a little bit of the creak, just no popping sound, but I think that as the road noise gets louder, I cant hear the noises as well.

So far I am thinking: motor/trans mount, ball joints or cv axles? Someone told me the inner cv boot (when torn) will cause a pop on acceleration... Does anyone have any ideas? I am not sure if this is even in the right section... I just want to avoid taking it in (and paying an arm and a leg) to a dealership/shop.

Thanks.
Justin

 

Ontop of the bushings you've already listed maybe LCA Bushings ?

 

I think what you are experiencing is the infamous steering rack creak that the ep/DC5 chasis suffers from.Mine does the same thing as well.It ususally happens if you are lowered because of how the steering rack is at an angle sort of.

 

See, the car is mostly with 108000 miles...All I have is a buddy club short shifter, 20mm? rear sway bar, and aem v2 intake.

I have had the car for about 4 years now, and it was my first fwd manual car - I was used to awd and rwd and when I was a noob with the car I wasnt easy on it, with launching and what not, and experienced wheel hop so bad that it knocked my radio loose from the dash. Now I only did that a few times and havent had that happen in a long time, but could that have caused the motor mounts to break?


Ok I found these threads:
https://honda-tech.com/forums/showth...ighlight=creak
https://honda-tech.com/forums/showth...ighlight=creak
https://honda-tech.com/forums/showth...ighlight=creak
Seems it may be the same thing....

MODS: can I get this moved to the rsx/ep3 forum? I didnt see it earlier (de de dee).

 

what you described above shouldn't cause the motor mount to break/crack in anyway(well, not saying it's impossible...). my first guess was cv/inner cv, but the dealer/shop should be able to diag. it fairly easy. But, since DrZFiNeSt has spoken from his exprience, I'd keep that on top of your check list for a diag. GL!

 

Does the steering rack make noises if you arent lowered though?

 

Yes in some cases they do.There's a DIY about this on EPhatch

 

I would still say to check your motor mounts, it's not uncommon for these to break/crack apart even on stock cars.

 

I agree ^ Stock mounts blow! Your car also has highish mileage and that will only add to the problem.

 

I filed my taxes the other night and ended up ordering some new motor mounts (hasport)... Once it stops raining I am going to check my front compliance bushings and when its warm/when I have time I will grease the steering rack (found the thread about how to do that), and am going to buy either the mugen ss or hfp suspension (if I can find one). I dont want to 'drop' the car any lower to be honest... I just want something more sporty. Although a nice .75" to 1" drop would look nice... any lower wouldnt help my steering rack making noise OR cause it to start.

I hear noises going over bumps along with when I shift gears, and sometimes when I am turning so I figure doing all that will help, plus now that I have some money to spend on my car I figure ill get an upgraded suspension since I have wanted to do that since I first got it in October of 2005 LOL. All its ever had done was a buddy club short shifter, dc5r 22mm rear sway bar, and an intake.

 

OEM Acura A-Spec suspension would be a great choice for you as well then. Only other thing you would need to add would be RSX tie rod ends.

 

Yeah I have a wtb ad over at clubrsx, but no one seems to be selling any at the moment. Do you need new ball joints if you replace the tie rod ends?

 

my ep3 creeked for its life when i went with my 2inch drop. i recently used a grease gun and injected some in the boots for the rack and it got alot better