Hi forum,

1999 TL 3.2

Have a rattle noise coming from my front right side when I drive over bumps/undulations on road. Took it into shop and at first they said there was nothing wrong with it. I said no way, there's definitely something not right... I thought motor mount. Took service mgr on a drive with me. They looked at it again and called to tell me that the subframe was rusting and the motor mount needed to be replaced. Said it was going to be a "big job" -- meaning $$$.

Anyone have any experience with this problem? A motor mount is not that expensive, but I know little about the subframe problem. Thanks!

 

have a body shop look at the subframe

the front motor mount is a very common failure, every 60-70kmiles wouldn't be a surprise
it does take some labor time but not as much as the dealer or shop wants
The part is fluid filled (look for oil traces on bottem of it) and vacuum boosted- so it really messes with the car when bad,,but most wont know its broken
see our diy section for `how to` on just about anything on the TL https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tl-1999-2003-98/new-official-2nd-gen-tl-diy-thread-706083/

ck the vendor list, next to log out box at top of page
thats dealers who cut us a break--25-30% off

the front mount is ~$150 retail,,could be more now

good luck and welcome to the forum
Regions link at top of pages- will lead you to local members- someone who can help you

 

^ Thanks for the response.

I went in this morning to check the car out when it was up on the lift. The subframe is corroded really bad on the passenger side, so there is basically metal on metal hitting there and causing the rattle noise over bumps.

No doubt that it needs to be replaced. Weird how only the right side is rusted badly, while the left side is fully intact. AC unit possibly drips on that side?

Anyway, the car is a '99 but has only 97K miles on it and has been well taken care of throughout ownership. I don't get it and the tech who looked at it said he's never seen an Acura with this problem and I know he's been there for a long time.

 

It could be bad surface rust. The A/C does exit near there but it shouldn't cause any issues. If the sub frame is broken or cracked you would have a lot of other issues with vibration and drivability. What is hitting what?
There is only the side mount on the passenger side - it is just above the wheel well and in front of the p/s pump. Even when it fails the engine would not drop far enough to hit the subframe. Pics?

 

He put it up on the lift and I got under and looked -- it's definitely more than just surface rust unfortunately. Stratified and flaking rust on the subframe right where it mounts to the unit body -- not good. The mount is shot and it's basically metal on metal, which is the rattle noise over bumps/undulating pavement.

I guess the AC consdenser has a small drain hose right above this area. So it drips there whenever the AC is on/condenser drains condensate. I say it's a bad design flaw, and apparent since the driver side subframe mount is not rusted at all.

Also, the motor mount on the passenger side is bad. I expect that on a car with almost 100k, but not the subframe corrosion issue. Going to contact Acura about it, though I'm sure it won't do any good.

 

10 years rust warranty is about max anywhere
its not a common prob- so maybe the drip hose has come off yours
allowing fluid where you dont want it

whats a body shop got to say about replacement?

remember you need the 105kmile service if not already done--timing belt water pump etc.
factor that plus rust prob cost before going further

bad front motor mount is common- followed by pass side when it takes extra load for a long time

 

I found this post and just got my '03 TL type s back from the local dealer. very similar story, they told me i have bad engine mounts (both front and side) i also have the rusted subframe on driver side behind the wheel. I have 135k miles, but this may have been manifesting itself for a while. Looking at quotes from local smaller shops. Dealer quoted me $2300 to fix subframe only and over $500 for both engine mounts.

How hard is the subframe fix? anyone know? it looks like its just bolted on from the bottom and the whole unit should drop down for replacement. I have added a pic of mine that I got from dealer.

Did you ever get anywhere with your situation?

 

sorry this is on passenger side, not driver side.

the driver side is not rusted out at all...

 

I found a report by ABC news about the 1999-2002 Accords that have the exact same problem. I guess the apple doesnt fall far from the tree.
http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/loc...e-in-sub-frame

If you have this issue and read this post, make a complaint at the following websites:
http://www.autosafety.org/

http://www.nhtsa.gov/