Front End Mystery Noise
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Front End Mystery Noise
Hi all,
I need help diagnosing a front end noise in a 2005 Element, 2.4L Automatic, ~200,000 miles.
It's a crunching sound, kind of like something heavy moving over bolt threads, and happens pretty much all the time now. Hasn't changed much in about 7 or 8K miles. It mostly comes from the driver's side but rolls around a bit, sometimes like it's coming from the middle or passenger side. It happens on smooth road, and on bumpy roads of course, above 20 MPH. I haven't been able to reproduce the sound when parked. Sometimes it doesn't sound right away when it's been parked and cold outside.
Front struts/shocks were replaced with aftermarket struts/shocks within the last 5k miles, as well as the transmission mount. The sound preceded and post-ceded these jobs.
Alignment is pretty bad - it pulls to the left (driver's side). This is the only performance symptom I notice.
The wheels have no play but could it be a wheel bearing that's gotten really, really bad? The passenger side wheel bearing was replaced about 20k miles back, and that one didn't have any up/down play in it either, but it made a whirring noise that helped diagnose it. Driver's side is original as far as I know.
I've had it up on the lift at my mechanic's, and together we couldn't find any suspension issues or make any noises when jerking on things. Stabilizer and end links look fine, bushing looks a little worn but no so bad. He's had a listen and was stumped; thought it might be plastic trim.
Youtube video is linked here for a listen.
I need help diagnosing a front end noise in a 2005 Element, 2.4L Automatic, ~200,000 miles.
It's a crunching sound, kind of like something heavy moving over bolt threads, and happens pretty much all the time now. Hasn't changed much in about 7 or 8K miles. It mostly comes from the driver's side but rolls around a bit, sometimes like it's coming from the middle or passenger side. It happens on smooth road, and on bumpy roads of course, above 20 MPH. I haven't been able to reproduce the sound when parked. Sometimes it doesn't sound right away when it's been parked and cold outside.
Front struts/shocks were replaced with aftermarket struts/shocks within the last 5k miles, as well as the transmission mount. The sound preceded and post-ceded these jobs.
Alignment is pretty bad - it pulls to the left (driver's side). This is the only performance symptom I notice.
The wheels have no play but could it be a wheel bearing that's gotten really, really bad? The passenger side wheel bearing was replaced about 20k miles back, and that one didn't have any up/down play in it either, but it made a whirring noise that helped diagnose it. Driver's side is original as far as I know.
I've had it up on the lift at my mechanic's, and together we couldn't find any suspension issues or make any noises when jerking on things. Stabilizer and end links look fine, bushing looks a little worn but no so bad. He's had a listen and was stumped; thought it might be plastic trim.
Youtube video is linked here for a listen.
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Wernergerman
Honda Accord & Crosstour (2003 - 2012)
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Aug 19, 2019 09:54 AM