Last week my 08 Type-S started creaking while turning the wheel at low speeds or idle. I initially thought the noise could be related to a bad ball joint or, at worst, a binding rack.

Today, while driving back from lunch to my office, I started hearing an intermittent creaking noise while coasting. The noise seemed to occur per revolution of the wheels. It is definitely coming from the front. No vibration or play in the steering, however.

I am thinking this is the CV half-shaft. Does this sound accurate, and if so, how difficult is the job? The shaft assembly is only $40 or so off Rock Auto.

 

That sounds pretty typical of a bad cv joint. Does it click or make a different noise when turning?

It's not too bad of a repair. It's a bit of a bear getting the hub bolt off. I believe it's a 36mm bolt. It will require a pretty beefy breaker bar and sounds like a gun going off when it eventually pops. You have to then disconnect the strut assembly from the lower control arm in order to remove the half-shaft (since the internal CV joint won't fit through the fork). You may also have a clip on the interior splines that connect to the transmission/intermediate shaft. Sometimes getting that off is a pain. But if it's there it has to be finagled in order to pull the shaft out.

Although it seems easy enough, I'd consider finding the tech manual from Honda/Acura when doing it. There are some nuances that are helpful to know.

 

Here's a brief video of the sound:

 

Hmmm. That's kind of odd. Can you tell if it's coming from one side of the car or just the front in general?

With a noise that pronounced, I'd have someone turn the wheel while you check out different components to track it down.

 

That is an unusual sound. I just had my left axle replaced because the CV joint was clicking during turns but didn't sound like that.

 

sounded like a snare drum

 

Just listened to the video clip again and noticed the car isn't running. That could be the steering rack - need to check fluid level??