Honda Civic (2001 - 2005) Coupe / Sedan / Hybrid (Includes Acura EL)

Rattle after alignment?

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Old Mar 24, 2011 | 04:17 PM
  #1  
zztrent's Avatar
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Default Rattle after alignment?

There is a faint rattle coming from my passenger side rear wheel. Sounds like maybe a bad strut or something, but i don't know how that could be if i just got a brand new strut.

I went down there and checked to make sure nothing was loose, couldn't find anything. Almost sounds like something is rolling around in the trunk, but there isn't. Any suggestions? I don't want to take the car back to where i got it aligned, they would more then likely give me the run around, or request money saying it's my fault.
Has anyone else had a similar problem? Thanks.
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Old Mar 24, 2011 | 08:12 PM
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Default Re: Rattle after alignment?

wheel bearing maybe? kinda hard to guess with such a faint estimate.. or maybe check your endlinks?
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Old Mar 24, 2011 | 08:52 PM
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It Wasn't Me's Avatar
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Default Re: Rattle after alignment?

Check sway bar bushings, sway bar end links, camber arm bushings, strut bushing, control arm bushing, trailing arm bushings, all nuts and bolts, etc.

With the car in the air (on jack stands, preferably) wiggle the top of the tire towards-and-away from the car. If it wiggles, but the lug nuts are tight, your bearing is probably bad.

It is worse while driving over bumps or potholes, or is it a consistent rattle? How loud is it? Check your exhaust hangers? Do you have an aftermarket exhaust? How close is it to the body?

It should be relatively easy to determine the cause of the problem and fix it. There's only so many things it can be, so start eliminating possibilities one at a time.
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Old Mar 25, 2011 | 06:04 AM
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Default Re: Rattle after alignment?

If you did not tighten down the top nut on your struts all the way, it can have abit of a rattle type noise over bumps from the spring bouncing on the strut mounts.
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Old Mar 25, 2011 | 11:53 AM
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Default Re: Rattle after alignment?

yeah mine makes creaking sounds over uneven roads/bumps/ driveways but it's hard to pinpoint on my car...so like It Wasn't Me said....start by eliminating
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Old Mar 25, 2011 | 01:10 PM
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Default Re: Rattle after alignment?

I'll triple check the nuts on the top, i finger checked them but they could just be a tad bit loose i suppose.
It's weird, i think bumps and turns might aggravate it a little more. But it's mostly when i first start the car going in a low gear like 1st or reverse, i think when the car shakes a little the metal rattling noise starts. It really sounds like a bad strut, weird as hell.
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Old Mar 25, 2011 | 01:17 PM
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Default Re: Rattle after alignment?

Guy on civic forums recently had a problem just like this. Everything was tight including the top mount nut. Turns out something in his top mount was reamed out allowing the shaft to move around.
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Old Mar 25, 2011 | 01:23 PM
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Default Re: Rattle after alignment?

Just checked the nuts there on there nice and tight.

The thing is i swear i didn't hear anything after we replaced the struts, and then after the alignment i hear it. I guess I'll have to take the wheel off put it on jack stands and investigate every little thing.

If i can't get it to go away I'll just replace all the bushings for the rear struts i guess. Then pay for ANOTHER alignment hoping that solves it.

The thing is it's not THAT loud, but it's annoying faint noise.
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Old Mar 25, 2011 | 03:16 PM
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Default Re: Rattle after alignment?

i have the same problem. doesn't bother me much. i'll recheck everything at the start of summer.
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Old Mar 25, 2011 | 03:18 PM
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Default Re: Rattle after alignment?

Originally Posted by lazlong
Guy on civic forums recently had a problem just like this. Everything was tight including the top mount nut. Turns out something in his top mount was reamed out allowing the shaft to move around.
got the link to that?
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Old Mar 25, 2011 | 03:33 PM
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Default Re: Rattle after alignment?

http://www.civicforums.com/forums/44...-happened.html
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Old Mar 25, 2011 | 05:01 PM
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Default Re: Rattle after alignment?

thank you sir!
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Old Oct 20, 2011 | 09:51 AM
  #13  
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Default Re: Rattle after alignment?

OK guys i'm still at a lost here, so i'm digging up the old thread... I replaced all the bushings for the rear strut. took it apart again, and made sure everything was in the correct order, nut is on the top, and i put the metal sleeve in the rubber bushing. etc.

has anyone fixed a issue similar to this? All the nuts are on tight...

And today it was a lot worse with rain, no idea why...
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