Front passenger suspension noise (sway bar bushing?)

[slo_its]

I have 19,000kms so about 12k miles and had the car for almost 2 years now. In the past couple of weeks, I've started to notice a slight clunking sound over small bumps at crawling and slow speeds, usually over smaller bumps, especially with driveways, etc.

I've had a few cars now and have experienced various suspension clunking noises, all with OEM parts I think. This is way too quiet for an LCA bushing and I think you'd have to have a good ear or lots of experience to pick it up.

I might also be completely imagining things but I think steering and handling has been feeling a tad off lately too even at slow speeds. I'd say the handling is 98% normal...it's just ever so slightly off. Kind of hard for me to express how it feels but it feels off (noticed before I notice the clunking sound and didn't think too much of it until now).

Anyone else had this issue in this car or FK8/FL5? I noticed other people talking about something similar about FK8. I honestly can't imagine bushings wearing off so soon. Even with the terrible Toronto roads, I'm only driving there once a week.

Here's the thread about FK8 suspension noise (but I think there are at least 3 different noises people were talking about): https://www.civicx.com/forum/thread...suspension-clunking-noise-at-low-speed.80467/

I'm going to guess it's sway bar bushing, but it's honestly too cold out for me to have any interest in raising the car and getting under it (-15C or 5F outside right now). I will take it to Acura and see what they say, hoping they won't just brush it off. Will report back.

As a side discussion, anyone doing aftermarket bushings and/or sway bars? Anything worth upgrading to that's good for daily and 1-2 a year at the track?

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[Tw1stedlog1k]

I've had the same, slight clunking noise develop roughly at your mileage (I'm at 14k miles now). I'm still trying to consistently replicate the noise and diagnose the issue myself. It's mostly noticeable at lower speeds, the noise is akin to the clunking you get from a worn strut and *seems* to originate from the rear driver's side. I did bring it to the dealer for a multi-point inspection and they reported no unusual findings; they determined it was noise from my H&R lowering springs but I've been running the springs for close to 10k miles with no issues prior.

My most recent mod was the PRL RMM and while I was under there I did notice the front pipe from my MBRP exhaust was touching the aluminum under body tray. It's possible that's where the noise is coming from but I've had the exhaust on since almost new without issues. Plus I would think that sound would be more metallic and tinny vs clunky. I really should have inspected the car more thoroughly while I was under there but honestly just didn't have it in me after the RMM install.

Some notes:
When reinstalling and torquing the rear driver's side wheel a couple of months ago, I noticed some axial movement from the camber arm below. I should have taken that opportunity to test out the other side for play but laziness got the better of me because I didn't want to jack up the other side of the car at the time. I figured I could bring it in to the dealer to have them check it out since I was going in for the steering recall anyway. Which brings us to their findings above.

 

[MRCS]

If you can take it to an Acura dealer that you know someone on the inside, my experience with these dealers is that most of them DGAF

 

[slo_its]

I'm taking mine in today and will report back. I have no suspension mods so they can't just blame it on that at least. But they can obviously still say they didn't find anything.

My past cars were mostly used so I don't know if they already had dealt with these but stock, they had very soft suspension so I don't know if there's less wear on some components. We have an SUV since new and haven't had any suspension related issues at more than 3x the mileage. I do push the car on a daily basis, but only to like 50% of what it can do, versus maybe 80-90% at the track once so far.

 

[Nivek2slick]

I get a noise when I hit like a hole or a rough part of road but it sounds more like a washer hitting a screw like something loose it sounds like front driver side for me ..this isn't what your hearing right ?

 

[slo_its]

Mine was front passenger side.

So I thought it was getting worse in the past couple of days but it's just the extra cold weather here and something in my glove box (spare USB cable maybe). It sounded more like a rattling today. Was actually kinda embarrassing and I was glad my dealer service department was really nice about it and charged me $0 after two test drives and checking everything on a lift. I did suspect contents of my glove box when I first heard the noise and moved things around without improvement but stopped short of removing everything. Talk about user error! haha.

I removed everything from the glove box and drove around. It's definitely improved but there are instances where I'm going slower than 20kph and certain bumps caused a very slight clunk that's a bit hard to pick up, still from front passenger side. I'll have to drive it around some more and see if I'm just being paranoid or not.

 

[creaturemachine]

It's cold, so bushings get hard and noisy.

Rear sway bar is an easy upgrade and totally worth it.

Aftermarket bushings are harder and will be noisier. Part of the game.

 

[anid0419]

Mine started having clunking noise as well, very subtle but very annoying.
Sounds like suspension is loose, tho doesn't feel like it.
Every time the front passenger side wheel hits a bump at low speed I got the noise coming from front driver side.

 

[slo_its]

Quick update. Went back last week for steering recall and mentioned it again. They looked into it and only found rattling glovebox which they're just going to replace under warranty. They did say they'll be happy to work with me and go for a drive together next time to try to find it. Otherwise they said mechanically it's looking good.

For the record, I have no after market suspension components and this never happened during last winter.

I'll post another update next time.

 

[elh0102]

There are numerous places that such a sound might originate. Unless it is relatively obvious, it may be hard to find, even for a competent tech. As for aftermarket bar or bushings, I'd recommend against it. Suspension components are part of a system, and folks with factory resources spend lots of time and money on the development of it. Unless you are a very high level driver, playing around with aftermarket components is not likely to yield favorable results. After spending a lot of years (and money) on the track hobby, I can say that the folks who progressed the most in street cars were those who drove the the most and paid attention to good instruction. Assuming a competent car, playing around with parts is just a distraction from learning.

 

[wayne1668]

I have the same issue and let the dealer check during the recall.
They said they didn't find anything and all suspension is tight. But when i go back to get my car. The car was in sport mode and smell some gasoline inside. Already told them the noise from low speed. why they test my car in sport mode or race my car. What a shame. I plan to go back when change the rear break pad. I will make the mechanic to sit in the passenger without let them to test the car by himself.

 

[elh0102]

The default dynamic mode is Sport. So, regardless of their testing, it would have selected "Sport" when you started it.

 

[wayne1668]

The default dynamic mode is Sport. So, regardless of their testing, it would have selected "Sport" when you started it.

If i were in sport mode when i turn off my engine, then engine will start in sport mode. Which i mostly using "Normal mode" all the time. The mechanic turn on the sport mode in purpose.

 

[elh0102]

Maybe this is a programmable feature. If my memory is accurate, in my car (2025 ITS), start-up is always in Sport mode, regardless of the mode selected when shut down.

If i were in sport mode when i turn off my engine, then engine will start in sport mode. Which i mostly using "Normal mode" all the time. The mechanic turn on the sport mode in purpose.

I'm not sure that I see your problem. The tech probably did engage Sport mode. Your issue was suspension related, and the difference dynamic mode settings use different damper adjustments, so I can see that the tech would move them around. It's just a push of a button to put it where you want. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[hypersss]

Since last summer I do hear subtle clunking sounds from the suspension. I notice it when driving at low speed on rough pavement, like a parking lot. Doesn't seem related to cold weather in my case.

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