My wife's 2015 RDX started developing rear strut noises (thumps) when the weather got colder. Just replaced the rear struts with KYB part #554406 and the noise is totally gone! My mechanic showed me the original struts and both of them had a lot of "play" in them that made a slight thumping noise when the he shook the strut up and down.


New KYB struts came from Rock Auto for $64.00/each.

 

great! not a warranty item?

 

What is it with Acura and all the models having noisy struts? Can't they spec a good one? Thumping and rattling has shown up in the RDX, MDX, and RLX.

 

I have been hearing on this forum that the Acura replacement shocks develop the same issues after a while. Therefore, I decided to spend some money out of pocket to hopefully get a longer term solution with a better quality shock.

 

Glad to hear this fixed your problem. I will go this route as well when the OEM shocks go bad again

 

Replaced mine 2 weeks ago with the KYB's, and what a difference. This is the 3rd set or replacement shocks, and I was really tired of dealing with it. If you're a DIYer, and you haven't invested in a set of pass through sockets, now is a good time. There's only about 3 inches of travel to move a box end wrench on the top nut. Stuck the allen wrench through the socket, and it made everything way easier.

 

most strut noises are typically caused by crappy top hats (upper strut/shock mount)

 

I just got a pair to replace mine. What was the procedure you used? Looks like remove bottom bolt, remove top nut and drop the shock down & out. Did you raise the car & remove the wheel? Except for the tight clearance on the top, any other things to look out for? I'm not a newbie at wrenching, just always open to tips from people who have already done it. Thanks...

 

Easier if the tire is off. There was a link that showed pictures on 1st generation shock replacement (same as second generation) but the pictures don't show up. It is not hard. There is a way the washers and bushings are installed. Please note that I (and many others) used the 1st generation shock replacement. I don't know what parts are included in the new KYB replacement shock for second generation RDX's. Here is a previous post of mine::

KeithL, they are KYB Excel-G part #349095. Just look up a 2012 RDX rear shock. You have your choice of a Munroe, or a KYB. The instructions that are in the box are poor. I had to call tech support and they got back to me right away. The shock has the jounce bumper and dust boot installed on the shock. The next thing to put on is the "flat" washer, then the steel sleeve, and one of the rubber mounts. The "narrow" end of each rubber mount goes against each washer, and the wide end goes against the body mount of the car. Install the shock on the car. From the inside of the car, install the other rubber mount, then the "cupped" washer with the cupped side facing down against the rubber mount. Then the nut goes on last. You will need a 5mm allen wrench to hold the shaft while you tighten the nut. When both washers are tightened against the sleeve you put on, then the upper mount is tight. From another web sight, they said to torque the lower shock bolt to 76 foot pounds with the weight of the car resting on the suspension arm (put a jack stand under the lower arm, and then lower the car). It is not like replacing a "strut", it's just a plain old shock absorber.

 

I thought that folks were wacked out about this rear-end thump, since I hadn't heard it in my (at the time) 10 months of ownership. Now that the cold weather has hit, I now know what everyone is talking about. Lovely sound and sensation from the rear (not). It likely will get better when we hit spring, but will keep an eye on it. Tempted not to do anything since it's a lease, but if it annoys me enough I may do a weekend activity to swap them out. If I end up buying this they'll definitely be changed, but not sure if sooner.....

andy

 

Really Andy..........could all of those people be wrong?? It was 6 degrees this morning, and my KYB's were "thump-free". Yes, if it is a lease they will replace them, but don't bet your paycheck on a cure. I brought mine in to have the rear hatch struts replaced. They were leaking oil and lost their ability to assist the opening of the hatch. New ones are much better. At the same time, the dealer replaced my battery under warranty.

 

...and don't forget the ILX because that 2013, 2014 and 2015 sure has that noise issue as well.

 

See TSB 16-059 - Pop or Clunk from the Rear Suspension in Cold Weather in the TSB threads.

 

That helped. Wife noticed the clunk on her new '17 Advance and I saw that the VIN was right in the middle of the range for AWD. We are in Flagstaff at 7000 ft and my wife has noticed it driving to work in the early AM and the temps are in the 30's right now. My dealer is in Phoenix where the lows are in the 70's right now. I first called and the service advisor said they don't diagnose issues over the phone and I'd have to bring it in. I asked for help since I didn't want to drive 140 miles only to have them tell me they couldn't find the issue because even the TSB says the temps need to be below 50 to find it. The shop foreman called me and, after hearing what I had to say, decided to just order the parts and put them in, as long as I wasn't upset if the issue wasn't resolved. Thing is, the wife only hears it when the temps are real low in the 30's. I haven't heard it at all, so I'm pretty certain that's the issue since I haven't driven it in the lower cold temps and I'm not even sure the dealer will ever have cold enough temps to diagnose it as it rarely, if ever, gets into the 30's in Phoenix...and in another month or so, we will be down in the teens and lower.

Happy to have a dealer who will help and appreciate your posting this so I could help diagnose it!

 

Just wondering if the KYB's have held up, I just picked up a used 2014 rdx and there's an annoying rattle coming from the back that I suspect is due to the defective struts. Will likely need to swap them out.

 

The KYB rear struts are holding up just fine. Smooth, quiet, and no thumping.

 

Mine too. Altho, they're shock absorbers, not struts. RDX have struts in front, shocks in rear.

 

Sub'd

 

Thanks everyone, I still have some warranty left so I'm going to take it in to the dealership this week and see if they can diagnose the issue. My noise is not really a thump but a subtle rapid fire rattle or clicking noise that seems to come from the back and happens when I go over rough/uneven roads. Am pretty sure it's related shocks.

 

Dealership replaced both rear shocks under warranty. The rattle is gone now!

 

Fantastic!

 

That's great, the dealer just replaced both rear shocks on our '14 RDX two weeks ago. Love the nice quiet ride now.