Mods, If this is in the wrong place, please move it, thanks.

My Issue:
1. Front end of the car has a clunk noise (metal sounding) coming from it when going over mid size to large bumps and
2. The passenger side (front) squeaks when going over small bumps. The sound was like a bird chirp initially, then has developed into a full out squeak. This never occurred before until the temp outside has dropped and it is in the 30's and 40's here in Houston.

Diagnosis:
1. Posted about the front end clunk noise previously and did a search and was told to replace the endlinks, i checked my endlinks and all seemed to be okay. However, I will go ahead and buy the Moog ones and replace them and see if the appearance is just that, just looks good, but it shot... I have jacked the car up and pushed and pulled on different components and can never reproduce the sound (done this with the wheels on ramps and also with wheels free)....
2. Front end squeak, I have no idea about.... I did a search and also read some other posts about this and don't know if it is the ball joints, control arm bushings, sway bar bushings, shock or strut bushings, coil spring seat, etc. I am guessing that it something as simple as grease is gone and from some grease fittings/housings and needs to be regreased...

Some other info about my car:
*2003 TL-S
*~75k miles on it (running mostly flat roads, but some really bumpy ones as well)
*Recently had the tranny replaced around the same time I got the coilovers
*I am lowered on Tein SS Coilovers (adjustment is pretty firm, as I like it) and was done ~10k miles ago by a licensed Honda/Tein installer

Any help you guys can provide would be grateful....

Other articles I found and provided some help:
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...ont+squeak+end

https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tl-1999-2003-98/noise-front-end-706911/

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...ont+squeak+end

 

The clunk could be endlinks or ball joints. Id have them inspected. With the age and miles i wouldnt rule out ball joints.

As for the squeek, spray some WD40 on the upper control arm ends (were the rubber bushing is) and the springs them selves, and the rubber top hats and see if it goes away

 

^ Thanks... will give that a try this weekend...

 

Check/replace ball joints. Can make very annoying squeaks.

 

A few questions:
1. Is there a how-to on changing the endlinks? I ask because I am unsure if I can drive the car on a ramp and change them or do I need to lift the vehicle and use jackstand so the wheel is hanging??
2. Kris recommended using WD-40 on the control arm bushings, does it have to be wd-40 or can I use white lithium grease instead? I got a can of this stuff at the house (use it on the motorcycle), so it should be safe, right?
3. Where are the balljoints located? Can someone show me a pic??

Thanks.

 

WD will get in smaller areas easier (plus more people have and recognize that than other things)

You can jack up one side of the car (or the whole front) and change them out that way. It will be much easier with the wheel off.

Lower ball joint is just above the #7 (its the part hanging down from the knuckle)

They upper ball joint is just above # 8 in the upper control arm. Both need to be pressed out.

 

I don't have a Lower Ball joint picture but here's the sample of an Upper Ball joint once (Front/driver side)


If you can't see the picture then PM me.

 

Tommy99TL, I think Kris has is covered, but sent you a PM... shoot me that PM anyway...
Also, who do you go to get work done on the TL... I need to find someone so I can do the timing belt and water pump, etc. The guy I usually go to is backlogged and he is taking less and less vehicles as I think he is trying to sell the shop and retire.... Let me know.

 

You will also get a very annoying crunching/squeak if the Sway bar mounts are shot; grab the sway bar and try to budge it - you should be able to tell.
I had such horrible noises - after a while the rubber deteriorates.

 

thanks for the PM, got it...

Naw, I checked under the car and the sway bar looks good and I can't feel any play in it...

I did not get to work on the car this weekend, had to go into work, maybe in a few days....

 

I am resurrecting my own thread...

I tried spraying the sprints, endlinks, bushings, etc. The problem persists... I did not get a chance to buy the endlinks as I have been busy... gonna do that today (need part numbers) from Rock Auto. Also, I think I might as well do the balljoints as well.
- Where did you guys get the ball joints from?
- How hard is it to remove the upper control arm to get at the ball joint?
- If I bought a camber kit for the front end, does the camber kit come with balljoints?