Suzuka Master
ceb
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The noise is improved. Only warm weather will tell if it is gone.Originally Posted by ceb
I got the car back last night. It seems less noisy over speedbumps but it is really hard to tell.
MD has these wonderful grooves in the lane dividers over double yellow lines that cause a vibration if you drift over them. With the old ball joints, the front end would rattle and shake. With the new ones it merely vibrates.
Good stuff.
Drifting
MC MiYoung3269
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Nice! Now if only my dealer will get em....
8th Gear
Called this morning, been told by service department they have been trained and got necessary equipment. just waiting for part, and expect to arrive anytime in the next couple weeks.
Drifting
MC MiYoung3269
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Sweet! Now if only my dealer would step their game up about this :\
Pro
I just checked with my dealer today to see if they have the parts yet and they do not. My car will have 40000 miles here in about a week or so and the clunk is starting to get worse, i can even feel it through my steering column and floorboard. I hope they get these new Ball Joints in soon as this is getting to be very frustrating.
Suzuka Master
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I would recommend that everyone with that problem notify their dealer in writing (an email to the service manager is fine - just make sure you get a response) or on a work order "customer complains of clunk in front end" as soon as possible so if the parts don't come in you'll still be on record of having the issue during warranty.
Pro
Quote:
Good recommendation. I have already done this so I can be sure I am protected. I will be out of warranty in the next 4-5 months, so this is especially important to me.Originally Posted by ceb
I would recommend that everyone with that problem notify their dealer in writing (an email to the service manager is fine - just make sure you get a response) or on a work order "customer complains of clunk in front end" as soon as possible so if the parts don't come in you'll still be on record of having the issue during warranty.
Special Edition
Just an FYI my 2012 SE had ball joint replaced after complaining several times and a few other local tsx owners coming to dealer and complaining...still awaiting new part
Instructor
I know mods can void warranty, if they can prove the issue is mod related, but what about a tsb such as this? I've had the issue for quite some time, but have since installed coilovers. Wondering if Acura would give me resistance about replacing the ball joing.
1st Gear
I took my TSX to the dealer (Fayetteville, NC) today to get the ball joints replaced. I guess I may not know if the new ones do the job until it warms back up.
Instructor
Check it out guys, Acura finally released a TSB for our cars on the suspension clunk in hot weather.
https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...5&postcount=17
https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...5&postcount=17
Instructor
1st page of the TSB
Applies To: 2009–12 TL – ALL
2009–12 TSX – ALL
Front Suspension Clunk in Hot Weather
SYMPTOM
A clunk is heard in the front suspension while driving
over irregular surfaces and in hot weather. The noise
goes away temporarily when the vehicle is lifted in the
air (the suspension is allowed to hang) and then
returned to the ground.
PROBABLE CAUSE
The lower ball joint in the knuckle can make noise
during hot weather conditions.
CORRECTIVE ACTION
Replace both of the front lower ball joints with the
service parts made to address this specific symptom. If
prior replacement, then replace both front knuckle
assemblies; press out the new lower ball joints from the
new knuckles, and press in ones listed in this bulletin.
Applies To: 2009–12 TL – ALL
2009–12 TSX – ALL
Front Suspension Clunk in Hot Weather
SYMPTOM
A clunk is heard in the front suspension while driving
over irregular surfaces and in hot weather. The noise
goes away temporarily when the vehicle is lifted in the
air (the suspension is allowed to hang) and then
returned to the ground.
PROBABLE CAUSE
The lower ball joint in the knuckle can make noise
during hot weather conditions.
CORRECTIVE ACTION
Replace both of the front lower ball joints with the
service parts made to address this specific symptom. If
prior replacement, then replace both front knuckle
assemblies; press out the new lower ball joints from the
new knuckles, and press in ones listed in this bulletin.
Pro
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlackPearlTSX
I took my TSX to the dealer (Fayetteville, NC) today to get the ball joints replaced. I guess I may not know if the new ones do the job until it warms back up.
Which is why I think I will wait until summer. Hopefully parts are readily available and not on back order.
Instructor
I know mods can void warranty, if they can prove the issue is mod related, but what about a tsb such as this? I've had the issue for quite some time, but have since installed coilovers. Wondering if Acura would give me resistance about replacing the ball joint.
Anyone know if the issue would still be covered?
Anyone know if the issue would still be covered?
Suzuka Master
ceb
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Quote:
Anyone know if the issue would still be covered?
This is an interesting (but fairly common) conundrum and depends upon your relationship with your dealer.Originally Posted by Asian Candy
I know mods can void warranty, if they can prove the issue is mod related, but what about a tsb such as this? I've had the issue for quite some time, but have since installed coilovers. Wondering if Acura would give me resistance about replacing the ball joint.Anyone know if the issue would still be covered?
It is well documented that a lowered suspension can cause additional strain on non-modified suspension parts, so the dealer could argue (and possibly prevail) that your mod caused the issue.
Your contention will be that the problem is well documented and that unmodified cars have this issue so it is immaterial if your suspension was modified.
This is where your relationship with the dealer is vital. If you get along well with them then you may get lucky - otherwise you may have issues.
You can ask on your local board for recommendations of mod-friendly dealers in your area.
Drifting
MC MiYoung3269
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Anyone have isues with the stealership saying they cant reproduce the noise? I mean they should be smart enough to at least read the dam TSB and see that it says in "Hot Weather"
... It's ranging from 50F-65F here... Does anyone know if there are VIN matches to this TSB?
... It's ranging from 50F-65F here... Does anyone know if there are VIN matches to this TSB?savclaude
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Finally got the new balljoints installed today let's see how it goes,i will give an update a week from now
Racer
@Savclaude How did you get your replaced? My dealer said they can't reproduce the sound but yet I hear it often after I've been driving it for awhile.
savclaude
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^^ i went to two dealers,first one said it was a normal characteristic of the car so i waited a couple months later went to another one then they told me that they were aware of it and that Acura was working it and that they would call me as soon as they receive the parts, i do have a copy of what they did if that wold help you maybe
Drifting
MC MiYoung3269
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iSeeYouTwo
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That's pretty ridiculous. LOL 

Pro
I thought dlrs used 'chassis ears' to isolate noises. My 09 Maxima had a noise that was barely noticeable and the advisor had me fill out a 'Noise/Vibration' sheet which was essentially a questionaire to assist the tech in isolating the source. He hooked up these 'chassis ears' and was able to isolate the lower steering joint as the primary failed part. I was pretty happy they found it in one shot.
2nd Gear
I have a 2011 TSX Wagon with 7500 miles suffering from the clunking front-end problem. The vehicle was at the dealer for two days and the ball joint replacement specified in Service Bulletin 12-041 was done. When the warm weather returns, I'll let everyone know if the remedy was successful, or if we need to return for the knuckle assembly replacement. Thanks for everyone's comments!
2nd Gear
Quote:
Service Bulletin 12-041 "Front Suspension Clunk in Hot Weather" dated 12/22/2012 applies to 2009-12 TL - All and 2009-12 TSX - All with no VIN range specified.Originally Posted by MC MiYoung3269
..... Does anyone know if there are VIN matches to this TSB?
Drifting
MC MiYoung3269
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^ it's mainly on the 2012's, some get lucky and some don't 

Instructor
just got a 2012 tsx wagon with 3000 miles on it and been only 3 weeks driving it and heard the noise. to make it worse i started to feel it under braking and acceleration from dead stop.
thanks for the tsb guys i will talk to my dealership and see what happens. currently my dealership only gave me one key and told me to come back in a week for the other. so far i went back and didnt have it ready. so now i have to go back in 3 days and ill be sure to mention this as well.
thanks for the tsb guys i will talk to my dealership and see what happens. currently my dealership only gave me one key and told me to come back in a week for the other. so far i went back and didnt have it ready. so now i have to go back in 3 days and ill be sure to mention this as well.
Instructor
Quote:
Mine is 41000 miles. I had this problem since I own the car, but they can not tell me what it is. even with TSB, they still try to brush off until I told them there is a TSB. Now I feel ride is so much smooth. I did hear loose or clunking sound while on the bad road. Originally Posted by FJY787
Anyone have this problem after having the car for more than 2 years/20000 miles? I haven't heard any noise yet.
Pro
my 2010 clunked over uneven surfaces while turning, I just got a new 2013 and it is tight as a drum. I guess acura got the problem fixed, yay.





