Ok guys,

First off, mod's if you feel this needs to be moved feel free because i'm not sure what section but it think once i get ot my point its general.

Basically, i have had this "rubbing/clunck" noise for a little while now in the rear somewhere and haven't been able to figure out what it is. I have the CT RSB, Ingalls, and 06 aspec suspension. I have read all the threads about the bushings, brackets, endlinks, etc so i think i found it. I took off the bushings and everything was fine (still lubed from installation 4 months ago), i dissconnect the endlinks, cleaned them up and put some anti seeze on them, and THEN, i sprayed some silicone lubricant on the top mounts on the aspec suspension. Since i did all of this the same day i wasn't exactly sure what it was but then when i hit certain bumps causing my chasis to twist (ie: when the rear doesn't go up simultaneously, one side goes up and the other goes down or stays straight) i hear the rubbing/clunck noise. I sprayed some more lubericant up there and it went away again for about a week and then slowly comes back. So i think its the rubber making contact with the top mount (see image below) basically between 9 and 10.






SO, my general question is what other types of lubricants could i use that would last longer than the spray silicone spray i currently am using? The spray stuff i have evaporates quickly and that is why it only lasts for a short period of time. I acutally had this problem with the Tein Basics on my 04 as well so i'm not sure what else to do. It bothers the crap out me cause its like a creak i hear all the time when its not lubed. I really don't want to have to take the whole assembly apart in order to coat the rubber either, so a spray type would be best if possible. I'm open to all suggestions! Thanks guys!

 

No one?!?!

 

I would have said lithium grease, but I don't think that comes in a spray can.

 

I've had similar noise problem from the rear suspension and it was traced down to a tiny pebble lodged between the strut body and coil spring. I initially used some lube spray to identify the area and just like your experience, the noise came back later. I then decided to remove the strut/spring assembly and saw the pebble behind the coil on the spring seat.

 

Is the suspected piece made from plastic or hard rubber? I'd say white lithium grease too, possibly a paste form of it, not the spray. If you want a grease that may be more resistant to disappearing may be never-seize.

 

JTso - Thanks for the info and pictures, i would have never thought about that actually. I will have to look into that when i decide to get under there and take it out (which i don't feel like doing. Do you think if i took the top hat off and lubed up the rubber top mount a little it would still sit properly in the mount?



Zoopa & Jan - I was planning on using the white lithium grease but i just was hoping for something else so i don't need to get in there and take the suspension apart just to get to the rubber (oh yea, zoopa, its the rubber piece that sits at the top and rubs against the metal top hat, the top hat could be plastic though but i think its metal). I guess i will HAVE to take it apart to get the proper lubrication on it.

Any other suggestions would be great as well guys!

 

I can't see your pics at work, Jordan, but what I'd look into doing is getting some of the THICK silicone grease that Honda/Acura uses... I think it's called "Shin-Tsu" or something. It's like a paste. Then if you can get it into the area with a Q-tip, you should be golden for a long while as that stuff is thick and won't wash away or evaporate, and is water resistant.

Note: Do not clean your ears with the same Q-tip afterwards.

 

I actually had a noise in the rear of my '05 tsx and I found it turning quickly right or left under acceleration; where the car would undergo a twisitng type motion. I had the dealer test drive the car and they found that the noise was a failure of the rivets where the body seams come togther behind the rear seat. They tooth everything in the trunk out, re-rivitted it. Everything has been fine since.

exx

 

i had a noise for a lil while after i installed my aspec!
i just cornered hard a few times. now its sounds nice and quiet again =) . lol. iono if this method will work for you though.. for me i think it was more luck....
but glad it wasnt a broken end link from comptech rsb. =X
GL

 

Eric - Thanks buddy, i'll have to look into getting some of that and coating it up when i get under there next!!


exxtractor - I really hope that isn't what i need cause that would just suck to have them do that. They would probably just blame my aspec suspension being stiffer and aftermarket wheels and tires!


vthree - the more i corner the more noise it gets.....lol. I did try that though first!

 

Jordan - I know there are pics somewhere on this site, pointing out exactly where the spot-welds are missing or broken in the rear seat/deck area. I recall there being some in the area directly below the crossmember in the trunk (near the torsion bars). Look for anywhere that two pieces of sheet metal overlap - there should be tack welds every few inches or so. Compare left and right sides, too, in case one side is missing the weld but the other is not. Then, there are a few ways to fix it: 1 - bring it to your dealer and have them compare to another few TSX's, and spot-weld where necessary. 2 - Jam a small sliver of wood or plastic into the area between the two pieces that might be flexing/popping under load, to buffer them from each other. Foam double-sided tape would work as well, as would basically anything. Maybe some of that rubberized tape that's about 1/32" or 1/16" thick and would easily cushion the sheetmetal from each other. 3 - Tap the area with a ball-peen hammer to see if you can kink the area enough to not get a pop/clunk noise when turning. This would be a last resort, obviously, as hammers + cars aren't often mixed with good results.