mrgold35

I installed the Eibach springs about a month ago on my 08 RDX with about 34,000 miles on the odo. For the last two weeks, I've been hearing increasing amount of suspension noise from the front end when I drive under 5 mph and turn the wheel left/right. It sounded like creaking + popping + groaning; like something was loose or not securely tighten on the suspension. The RDX drove/braked fine and I heard no noise at +5 mph.

I was going to take the RDX back to the original installers of the springs; but, I thought it would be better to take it to Acura to make sure everything was within specs. The service department called to say I have a bad passenger side strut and they are going to replace in the morning.

I "forgot" to tell them about the aftermarket springs. The Acura mechanic didn't notice the springs during his initial inspection of the struts (he might when he replaces everything in the morning).

I figured a 1 inch drop on struts with under 35,000 miles shouldn't cause problems on the RDX, I guess I was wrong. I just wondering if any other members had any problems with their struts with Eibach compared to general strut problems with the OEM set-up?

I may need to start a "replace my struts fund" if this is not covered by Acura because they determine the springs caused the problem.

Samdog-1

Yes the lowering springs caused the strut failure. The other one is likely to go soon as well.

Do some reading about suspension tuning. OEM struts are designed for the stock ride height. A 1" drop significantly alters the oil porting inside the strut.

If you are going to lower you need to use coil-overs that are adjustable or tuned for the new height.

wspy

Hold on a minute there!
Not saying that that is entirely wrong but lowering a vehicle 1" should not cause the strut to go bad!
Millions of vehicles all over the world have this modification done and have no problems.
Countless people with RDX's use the Eibach springs and never had a problem. As a matter of fact all those suspension companies out there (Tein Eibach etc) would be loosing millions if the use of a lowering spring caused a strut to go bad.
I don't think that the use of the springs caused your strut to fail, IMHO that is

MMike1981

i dont think its necessarily attributed to Eibach; there have been numerous reports on the board about strut problems/failures/leaks in the RDX.

Eibach may have made the situation more pressing, but i dont think it was the cause. The springs would put more tension but doubtful as to the root of the problem

Samdog-1

Right...and cigarettes don't cause cancer.People who sell lowering springs aren't going to suggest what engineers and knowledgeable tuners have known since the Model A: that suspension components are all part of a system and must be tuned to work together.Or that you cannot compress an OEM strut 1" into its travel and force it to work with higher spring rates and higher frequency -- with incorrect valve ports and inadequate oil flow -- and expect it to last very long. When the oil can't change chambers at that frequency, it finds a way out, ie: blown shock.P.T. Barnum would like to see you in his tent.

MMike1981

1 month? i still think its highly unlikely, never said they were not part of the reason, but sole cause, i still doubt it....if they actually are the cause of the issue, it would be the first reported here out of MANY ppl running them on the board.

wspy

LOL............oh oh, here we go again... must be something to do with summer!




BTW.. going 23754 mls since installation and not a hitch :surrender

mrgold35

****UPDATE****

Talked to the service department and the new strut did not make a difference with the creaking + popping + groaning sound. They checked the entire front suspension, lubed, and placed it on the alignment rack with no change in the sound. I told them I heard the noise more while traveling under 5 mph and turning the wheel (like pulling in/out of a parking spot). Maybe it is the power steering unit? I usually don’t turn the wheel that much left/right +5 mph.

The Acura tech might have jumped the gun in diagnosing it as a strut problem. Acura wants to keep it for a few more hours to do more troubleshooting. Hopefully, the suspension noise is not causing damage to any parts. I might have to live with the sound if they cannot determine the cause.

BigHatch

sounds like that dealer likes to charge for loose bolts and throw in some extra parts at a nominal fee...

sj993

I too don't think the strut going back is because of the springs. The dealer replaced one of my struts when the car had less than 5,000 miles because it was making excessive noise.

BigHatch

Is it worse for the strut, probably a little.. but not worse than charging over speed bumps at 20 mph like i see some idiots do all over the place.

for what it's worth, i've had springs on my WRX that dropped the front 2.5" and the rear a bit less. Going on ~7 years now and almost 80k miles. no issues at all with my struts on the WRX. I did have a stock STi where a rear strut went bad in the first year.

sometimes things like that just happen, though it seems it wasn't the case after all here.

Maybe a sway bar or something like that was loosened for some reason.

mrgold35

I asked the service manager last week if it could be the sway bar, steering components or the suspension and they was going to check it out.

***UPDATE***
I talked to the service department this afternoon and they need the RDX for another day. Acura “thinks" they have the problem reduced down to the steering system. They ordered another system for installation it in the morning, 6/29/10.

I guess I need to change the thread to "Eibach does not equal replaced front strut" if this solves the problem. I will find out in 24hrs.

They did give me a red 5AT 2010 TSX w/ tech as a loaner car since last week. I really miss that new car smell in my 06 TSX and 08 RDX.

crazycated

Yeah I had the some problem but the only difference was that I notice my power steering fluid running low and wet spots on the driver side rim .But I had my my driver side boot replaced and power steering rack, gear transfer , tie rod end and a alignment done .

BigHatch

Oooh.. mental note.. keep an eye on the power steering level

JMJ3rd

Well, I've had the Eibachs since they came out and now have 63k on them. Dealer installed, No issues!

crazycated

Yeah same here no problem with my Eibachs dealer installed also .

mrgold35

***Final Update***

The dealer replaced the struts, checked the alignment, ensured the suspension components were all within specs and lubed, and replaced the power steering system. The RDX STILL makes the same sound a low speeds mostly when turning the wheel. The only thing that wasn't replaced was the Eibach springs. The dealership covered 100% of the cost and gave me a 2010 TSX loaner for 5 days. I never had the greatest confidence in our local Acura dealership; but, the closest dealerships are in El Paso or Colorado Springs (4-5hrs away from ABQ).

I can live with the annoying noise if I am not causing damage to the rest of the suspension. I am going to Colorado Springs after the 4th of July to visit family. I might take the RDX to the Acura dealership for a second opinion.

I still think the Eibach springs are a great upgrade and I would still do it all over again.

da_bikeman

I had a simlar popping / grinding noise with my MDX. It only happened at low speed, turning into and out of parking spaces. It turned out a motor mount was broken. That scenario was causing the engine to lift off the mount, which put the half-shafts in a bind. I was also keying on a strut / suspension problem, but replacing the motor mount cured the noise.

mrgold35

Just got back from a family vacation to Colorado. I will have the Acura Tech check out the motor mounts when my next service is due.