wal7sh

Hi,

Has anyone had any trouble with the rear lower ball joints on the RL? Reason I ask is because I'm trying to narrow down where a creaking/clicking noise is coming from in the rear of my vehicle. With the windows rolled up I can hear more of a creak but when driving around corners and on uneven surfaces (when the rear is not level) the car makes more of a clicking noise. I've read on various forums to jack the car off of the ground and try to move the tire vertically and horizontally and if theres play then it's the ball joint but to my surprise when I try to shift the wheel either way theres no play at all, dead straight. I'm not sure if the wheel isn't moving due to the arm to adjust either the camber or toe in the rear (can't remember which ones which). I contacted Acura today and they do not sell just the ball joint (obviously) you have to buy the entire unit that the ball joint sits in.

Acura also suggested that I buy the rebuild kit sort of speak which basically is the snap ring at the top of the rubber grommet and the rubber grommet itself. I researched the rebuild and many people are all for it but I'm a little skeptical since if it's been clicking for a couple months that the damage is already done for the most part but who knows.

I got under the vehicle today and took a look at the grommet and it's pretty flat since we just put the A-Spec suspension on about 4 months ago and had to use a crows foot to pry the ball joint from the lower control arm that the spring sits on. I don't know if in the process we damaged the ball joint but for the first couple months I heard no noise at all and I haven't tampered with the suspension since we put it on so I'm really confused. Like I said before I have to believe that maybe over the past few month the grommet has let some dirt and dust in the grease area and made the ball joint start clicking like it is. If anyone has any suggestions as to what to do that would be great.

Thanks,

Wal7sh

tlmaster1

its not ur ball joints its ur brakes there is a tsb on it.

EL19

iTrader: (4)

Thread revival but whats the TSB? I've been getting the creaking and clicking and can only find TSBs for other others not the RL

oo7spy

No TSB here, but are we talking about this?

https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-rl-tires-wheels-suspension-92/d-012-rear-right-suspension-noise%3B-e-brake-cable-tightening-772060/

EL19

iTrader: (4)

I tightened the e-brake a while ago because I though thats what it was. It help with my ebrake working better but did not fix the noise.

Anytime I get out of the car I can hear the ebrake creak like a bad mattress. Also when going over bumps I can hear the creaking and a losse rattling from the same location (driver's side rear). However, since it rained the past two days the creaking and rattling over bumps has gone away. I'm sure it will come back once things dry up though.

oo7spy

EL19

iTrader: (4)

LOL I'll try that and see what happens. Hoping I'm not throwing bandaid on something though. I'll report back with results after the rain. Raining all week here.

Carbon Legend

you said when on uneven surfaces and when turning. Sounds more like a sway bar endlink or swaybar bushing failure.

EL19

iTrader: (4)

Carbon are those located by the rear brakes? Do you think by upgrading to the 09 sway bar that will fix it since you have to replace the bushings with that?

Rhlieu

I had the same "symptoms" type noise over bumps as you are detailing. After replacing the front/rear end links, the noise stop! The links are attached to the swaybar, so i end up changing everything when i upgrade to the 09's sways too.

Carbon Legend

swaybar endlinks are on the ends of the sway bar that connect it to the control arm near the shock

EL19

iTrader: (4)

Thanks guys. I will just go ahead and upgrade the bar and do the end links and hopefully the noise will stop. I'll try and get it on a lift and inspect those before I order anything though. I'll report back.

Carbon Legend

Just remember RL's don't like hanging off a lift with older suspension .