Hey y’all,
I don’t k ow if I’m submitting this right. First time user. I am having some thumping, knocking, clunking issue. I can’t find the best word to describe it. I am second owner of this sweet ride. First owner let it sit for 15 years and replaced nothing. I have replaced quite a bit but it has now sit for the last 3 years because I feel it is unsafe to drive. I have replaced the cv axle on passenger side. I believe I have done the driver side but can’t find any documentation that I did. I replaced both lower front motor mounts. Both upper and rear motor mounts appear to be in decent condition but I understand at 21 years old probably need to be replaced. I have replaced inner and out tire rod. I recently as of today just replaced the sway bar links on the front. When accelerating there is thumping felt in the floor board and steering wheel. It only happens in 2nd and 3rd gears. It is most violent feeling In second and backs off in 3rd gear. When I let off the gas it goes away. It does not happen when turning. I would personally not describe it as clunking but some may. When I got under her I noticed the driver side tie rod boot was twisted and knotted into the inner joint. I cut the zip tie that was there and straightened it out but no change. Both ball joints, upper and lower on both sides need to be replaced. What I have seen is that it would sound like metal clanking and be clearly noticeable from a left or right side and not a center floor board feeling. No video or forum I have come across has remotely described or shown anything similar to what I am experiencing. On mechanic stated it was the transmission and to drive it until it dies. Aamco said he was wrong but to take it to Honda. When tie rods were replaced I had it aligned. The noise started maybe 6 months after that. Tires are brand new and in great condition. Please if anyone has any idea any help would be greatly appreciated!!

the rack and pinion seem to be in good condition, no leaking. steering is firm and tight when driving. I could say that it’s stiff an almost difficult to turn but not quite there yet. Tires don’t seem to have any play when in the air. When the car is not running and I turn the wheel back and forth I hear a light clunk which I imagine is the steering knuckle and steering is very loose at that point. I don’t have any clicking, whining, or any other noises. I checked transmission fluid and it probably could be changed but is still at an acceptable level. I haven’t specifically noticed anything going over bumps but driving under load on incline and it lightens. I thought maybe the tie rod boot was circulating and smacking the cab but there was no slack for it to smack. The noise increases as speed goes up but the severity softens. I read that aftermarket Honda cv axels are prone to this noise and that only the oem one would make this go away which they have discontinued. I was about to go all in and replace upper control arm, shock/strut and lower ball joint but everything I’m readying, watching, and asking is making me believe it is not any of these regardless of their need of replacement. Sorry this is all over the place for whomever endures my story. I am just recalling it as it comes to my mind.

 

Sounds like transmission to me.

Manual or Automatic?

How regularly has the fluid been changed?

I would definitely replace the transmission fluid ASAP. It might be too late though, assuming it's an auto. Make sure you inspect the spent fluid for wear products.

 

it is an automatic. I don’t believe the fluid has ever been changed. I just found the dipstick for the first time the other day. I came across a forum once that said there was not one with this car. It didn’t look terrible but I will change it hopefully this weekend and post what I find. I will see if I can get photos of the contaminants in when I change it if there are any but it was reddish brown but definitely not black like some of the videos I’ve come across. Thank you for your advice.