halgsr

ill start by stating that i have searched extensively, and this is a last resort.

I have a clunk in the left front while driving at slow speeds (under 40-50 km/h)

it seems to be getting worse these last few weeks.

i have replaced, front sway bar bushings and links, both made no difference.

i also inspected the entire front end, no play in any joint.

i removed the left front wheel, and tightened the motor mount and ensured all other bolts in the vicinity are tight. after road testing, it did seem slightly better (could have been in my head) i did this tonight, so haven't had a chance to really test it out.

it seems that people point towards the compliance bushings, how do i test those prior to replacing?

So I removed and dissembled the left front strut. The mount appears to be worn. As indicated in the pictures. pictures are here (Clunk in front end - Acura MDX Forum : Acura MDX SUV Forums ) (its also posted on the mdxers.org site)

The strut itself appears to be normal , no signs of leaking or excessive play.

I greased the strut mount and reassembled (I didn't have a new one). The noise seems ever so slightly better. But given the amount of wear on the mount vs the amount of stress that part takes, I think it's possible that the grease would do nothing.

Any input is appreciated.

halgsr

its a 2009 MDX with Active Suspension

watut

Aren't the struts/shocks bad on that generation MDX?

halgsr

I have heard / read about that, and I am hoping that this isn't the case.

I will buy new ones if they are infact the problem, but at $600 ish per strut, I want to be sure I need them.

RDX10

If you have the adaptive suspension then there is a 99% chance it is the magnetic strut. It clunks like that and can fail randomly at any point.

halgsr

I unfortunately am aware, but my worry, is I play the odds, order the new strut (likely two to replace the front pair) only to have the clunk remain. I want to confirm before replacing.

RDX10

What's the mileage on your MDX? Acura extended the warranty on those struts to 160k kms here in Canada.

halgsr

i found the letter in my searching, i am at 196,000.

i would think that the struts would fail at about the same time, the right front is good to go.

halgsr

and if i read the letter correctly, it indicated a noise under accelerating or braking specifically, mine does not make that noise, mine is under normal driving under about 40km/h on or off the brakes / gas

RDX10

From my understanding the struts make noise when the body dips or you go over bumps...etc. It has nothing to do with accelerating or braking. They fail randomly so it doesn't have to happen in pairs.

halgsr

sorry, there was a TSB about the braking / gas. either way, i am out of warranty. and yes they might not fail in pairs. i would just hate to replace the strut (s) only to not have it fix it.

RDX10

Have you checked the ball joints?

halgsr

I have, both loaded and unloaded, they appear fine.

the more I drive it the more is sounds like a clunk from the sway bar (I have replaced the links and bushings) and less like a strut. just frustrating. at this point ill keep driving it til it gets worse, and diagnosing becomes more obvious