I can "hear" it more than feel it. It sounds like strut noise but I replaced the front struts last year. I also replaced the sway bar links and bushings last year. The compliance bushings show some wear but not torn. I can't see anything else that might be causing the noise. When I replaced the strut all I changed was the strut itself. I reused the rest of the strut assembly. Maybe I should have changed something else???

This is a minor issue but a luxury car shouldn't sound like this on small bumps. It is mostly the right front. I am going to look everything over again when I have a chance next week. Maybe the strut is blown already? I don't remember hitting a pot hole bad enough to blow a strut but I might have.

 

Can you describe the noise? When exactly does it happen, speed bumps, road markers at highway speed, all of the above?

 

"could you describe the ruckus?" - What movie?

It is a thud type noise not a rattle. It does sound similar to a blown strut but not as loud. Almost like I can hear the strut moving. It usually happens on small road imperfections. On bad bumps it isn't as obvious.

 

Is the noise something like shock stroke?
Like pressured gas noise?

Happy 2016 to all...

 

My answer is no. This is more like if someone was hanging under the car and pounding on the floor without feeling it. Just hearing it. Usually a blown strut you feel and hear. This is more a sound than a feel. Almost like I can hear the strut doing it's job which it is doing because I can't feel it but why am I hearing it?

 

Open rear right window and pass over bumps.
Try to ensure coming from rear or not.

 

Before I changed the OE struts, I was experiencing a subtle "thud" noise. It actually didn't sound abnormal, and I got use to it, but the new struts alleviated that completely.

The only thing that was changed was the struts and bump stops, which the dealer said were worn, in addition to my blown OE struts, which lasted 9 years.

Now, assuming you used aftermarket parts, they very well could be blown. I went with OEM and the reason being is that I had problems with aftermarket batteries. Brand new batteries that died after a year. Of course, I didn't think to check that my "brand new" battery was causing issues as these cars do go crazy with bad batteries, but sure enough, that nice, aftermarket Autozone battery had already died after a year. Bad cell.

I went back to OEM batteries and no problems.

Not saying aftermarket struts are like that, but eh, I only go dealer parts after my experience and some of my friend's experience with "brand new" Rockauto parts that were absolute junk.

 

If you are thinking it is the emergency brake cable I know it is not. I fixed that rattle already!

 

I did use after market struts. I believe they were KYB. Supposedly a good strut. This noise does sound like a blown strut. They are a little over a year old. I expected them to last longer than that.

 

The aftermarket parts are hot or miss. Sometimes they're as good or in some cases better than the originals, and sometimes they might break ten minutes after you install them but I think Acura OEM parts in general are all pretty good anyway. I'm coming from a GM car and you have to avoid OEM brake pads, rotors and suspension components with GM because they're complete garbage and even the worst aftermarket parts are an upgrade. Unless one of my mechanic buddies tells me what to buy, I stick to OEM.

Also, it does sound like a strut but if the strut is good, the strut mounts can also make a similar noise and are usually a much less obvious choice.

 

The KYBs got pretty poor reviews, and the RL is a heavy pig. I wouldn't be surprised if it had blown, but I too would hope they last longer than that.

 

If it is the strut what brand should I try next? What other parts of the strut assembly should I replace as well?

 

Why not go oem?

 

I will probably go OEM. They are expensive but if they will last a lot longer than the KYBs it will be worth it.

What else should I replace besides just the shock part?

 

Your only strut options are OEM or KYB unless a new vendor has recently developed a product. Then there are coilovers.

 

It appears to be a Honda part number. I work for a Honda dealership so I should be able to get it for close to this:
https://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com...VIN+Number+---

Through an Acura store it is more:
SHOCK ABSORBER UNIT, R. FR. for 2005 Acura RL|51605-SJA-A52

What other parts should I but to go with the shock itself?
FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER for 2005 Acura RL

 

I know you keep asking, but I honestly don't know. Also, we are in pure speculation mode at the moment, and throwing parts at the problem in that mode usually doesn't help.

 

Sorry to keep asking. I didn't know if there was other parts of the strut assembly that usually wear out. Maybe I will replace all the parts of the strut assembly except the spring just to be on the safe side.

 

The struts are getting worse everyday. I finally broke down and ordered 2 new front OEM struts. I also ordered the mounts and bump stops. I will post my results once I get them installed.

Needless to say I am extremely disappointed that the KYB struts only lasted @30,000 miles. Hopefully the OEM struts last much longer. I haven't replaced the rear struts yet. They are still original as far as I know. They don't make any noise at all. I plan on replacing them soon as well but I want to get the front done first.

 

Now aaa, wut? Whose u callin' a pig?

 

Your two ton mistress.

 

Don't you just love her

 

I had the front OEM struts installed yesterday. This time I replaced the strut mounts and bump stops with OEM parts. I have only driven it for a few miles but the noises are gone and the ride is greatly improved.

I have to recommend to avoid the KYB struts after my experience with them. Maybe others will have better luck but I only got @30k miles out of them and they were shot.

 

I've got a bit less than a year on my kybs. No issues so far, but I'll be watching them closely based on your experience. Did you get the struts installed at the dealer? What did they charge you, if you don't mind saying?

Do you have kyb shocks on the rear?

 

I work for a Honda dealer so I get a bit of a break on labor but not much. I believe they charged me two hours for each side and an alignment. So four hours of labor and the cost of the alignment. I bought the parts online from an Acura dealer because they are mostly only Acura parts. My labor rate is approximately $80 per hour versus the normal rate of $105. I don't know exactly what it came out to because I had some other maintenance done at the same time but I would say it was @$400 with the alignment.

I still have the original shocks in the rear. They still appear to be working well. I do plan on changing them in the future but I will be going with OEM. I will probably change those myself since it isn't as difficult as the fronts.