My daughter's 2000 CR-V 2WD has developed a hard thumping rattle when she drives over short speed bumps and other a few other kinds of road variances. Its not a constant rattle. To me it sounds like its coming from the rear suspension but I realize that can be deceiving. Like what I would expect a strut to make. The dealer took a look at it and said that it was the steering rack but I asked if it was a safety issue and they said no. That kind of troubles me. I have had to change a rack out in a Civic before and it WAS a safety issue and very expensive. Can anyone explain to me what in the steering rack can make such a rattle that the whole thing needs replacing and why they would say it is not safety related? Or might you have another source for the rattle? I have shaken and checked every bolt and suspension part that I can think of and everything seems tight.
I'm just hesitant to dump $1200 on a rack replacement just to get rid of a noise and make another boat payment for the dealer.
Thanks for the help,
Russ

 

doubt its a rack. More than likely a sway bar end link, inner or outter tie rod, or a ball joint.

 

Will be sway bar end link loose, have had this three seperate times from three different end links as previous owner had them all replaced and they wernt tightened up properly

 

Thanks, I had looked at them before and saw nothing loose. Can I visually see it or is it under stress? So you are basically saying the dealer was inaccurate(trying to be polite!!).

 

grab on the links and just yank them around. There should be no looseness at all. If you can get a bar in there try using that. The OEM links are made out of pencils basically. Very small and not very strong. When i change honda links(Im a mechanic) i usually cut them off. If you look through my build log you can see where i compare an oem link to a Moog link. The moog link is 3x the thickness and strength.

 

Get a 14mm spanner and a 6mm (I think) allen key and tighten the nuts up on the end links. They may not look loose or feel loose but if you can get a turn out of the nut that was likely your noise

 

Thanks LDForget, How do I find your build log?

Thanks to you too, NZ. My daughter will be here this weekend and I will try that out.

I'm not too shabby of a mechanic for my own cars. I would never call myself a pro. I have completely rebuilt from the frame up a 64 Jaguar XKE Roadster that I owned for 19 years.
I have owned at least one Honda since 1975. I now have 3. One CR-V and two 2007 Civic EXs. Deepest I have gotten into a Honda is replacing the timing belt and water pump, rebuilding a head and rebuilding a standard tranny of course with the clutch and such. So I have gotten my hands greasy a time or two.
Thanks for the tips guys.
Russ

 

Its in this forum, so far on the third page and its called "About time for my build thread I suppose.". Heres a link

https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-cr-v-element-156/about-time-my-build-thread-i-suppose-3014955/

and heres the photo i was talking about

 

Found your 3 pages. Man I live in Florida and I just turned the heater on just after looking at your pictures.

Yeah I see what you mean about the after market links.
Russ

 

You should see outside right now =/

 

Where can I find those end links I just recently replaced mine but if I can get thicker better ones why not right!!

 

Your local parts store. Ask for MOOG links.

 

Alright thanx

 

just replaced all 4 on my moms car and its way easier cutting them off especially when the little hole where the allen or hex goes in got rounded off after the first few turns. Took me and my dad 2 hrs to do them and yes go with the moogs way better quality.