2004 6MT

Several "problems", not sure where to start:

The front end just feels loose. The tie rod ends are probably shot. The car sometimes pulls to the left, sometimes to the right, then sometimes just seems like it's almost uncontrollably going where it wants to go. Do the inner or outer ends need replacement?

The rear end just plain feels loose. I went around a turn the other day and it just plain felt loose. The driver side looks like it sits a little lower than the passenger side in the rear, especially with weight in the trunk.

The car doesn't seem to have as much power as it should. I've driven several TSX's and the car seemed a little more powerful when I first got it than it does now - it just seems sluggish all the time. It doesn't really seem to make a difference whether the a/c is on or off.

The car seems to get 27mpg, regardless. I get 27mpg whether I sit in traffic, drive straight highway, do combined driving, or do spirited driving. Today, I got 29.4mpg, not sure how. It was a 27mpg consistent before.

The a/c makes the 'whoop' sound I have heard about, not sure what the heck this is, but it's annoying - I hope the a/c compressor doesn't blow up because that is a pain to fix.

When I let out the clutch, there seems to be a clunk sound. When I shift gears, there seems to be a clunk sound unless I shift ultra-slow and let the clutch out while on the throttle. If I am, say, in 2nd gear and I let off the throttle, and then get back on the throttle, the same clunk is there. This seems to be some kind of slack in the drivetrain. When I do the on/off throttle in 2nd gear, the rpms can jump 1-200 rpm. Odd....timing chain or cv joint related?

There is also the vibrations from 2500-3000rpm in 2nd gear, and at the same speed in 3rd gear. Not sure what this is. Axle replacement didn't solve it. I checked the rear mount and it appeared to be 'ok' and not broken.

If anyone has any ideas on how to fix these....I'm open to suggestions. I'm just gassing the car up and using it as a daily driver now, not the 'sporty' sedan I hoped for.....at the same time thinking "why did I get rid of the prelude"

 

To address a couple of your problems:

1. Sounds like your tie rods are out. Get those checked out as it is very dangerous driving like that. Usually the outer tie rods are replaced, but definitely get them looked at ASAP.

2. Your struts are out, giving you that loose feeling and uneven ride height.