Hi.. I just aquired my first Honda.. (yay?) An 89 4dr Civic DX with a 98 motor (not that the motor has anything to do with the question).

The right hear has a rather annoying clunking sound going over bumps. It sounds almost like the shock itself is loose on the top. I jacked it up, pulled the wheel and moved things around trying to isolate. Everything is tight, there are only two things which are questionable. The big bushing on the lower control arm appears to be 'broken', at least the rubber part looks it. The second is that the shock has a bit of oil seepage possibly indicating it's gone phooey. I can't find anything else that may be causing it.

So is the 'broken' appearance of the bushing some common failure point for these things? If so, should I go ahead with just putting poly in there? Give me honda wisdom - I know nothing about these things (I'm really a Ford person - but don't beat me up for that )

Thx.
dale

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by phooka &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The second is that the shock has a bit of oil seepage possibly indicating it's gone phooey. I

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the shock is blown. better replace all of em cuz the other ones have the same amount of miles and abuse on em. if you need low mile stock replacements PM me.

what motor is it?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 91civicLX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
what motor is it?</TD></TR></TABLE>

It's a d16y7. I have no idea what that means

dale

 

your question has the answer in it. replace the lower control arm bushing and shock (which both need to be replaced anyway) you said that your shock was leaking fluid, that means the seals have gone out and there is no hydraulic pressure in the shock cause all the fluid is leaking out. that would cause even little bumps to slam the rod down into the body hitting the bumpstop(if yours hasn't deteriorated yet) thats is most likely where the clunking noise is.

 

JoshDM ..... said it best.... and yea it is about time for all the rubber to be replaced...... they are a few comp. out there that make a "kit" and it will be a lot cheaper this way...... i think like $100.00 for the kit..... just do it all while you are in there tinkering!............ good luck with your new toy and sorry to let you know but it will always be a work in progress..... all honda's are

 

okay - so replace the bushings. I don't want poly (been there done that) - I'm an old man (38ish) and it's a daily commuter Any recommendations for new rubber suppliers? I can handle harder bushings - just not squeeky poly.

Thx

dale

 

here is the cheapest honda dealer i know of.... OEM products...

http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/home.htm

 

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=810396