Hey all,

I am back on stock suspension and I am still getting a clunking and crunching sound over bumps/dips. This noise started out very small just like a little clunk/click. I thought my coils had blown so I had the stock suspension swapped back in. It started last week, I stopped driving the car for the week. This friday I had the stock suspension put it. The noise was back and got really bad by today.

Let me describe it.

Going over a small bump/uneven road it makes a clunking noise like someone hitting a hammer on metal/popping. If the road is really bad it will make many clunking noises as the wheel is going over the bumps. If I hit a huge dip in the road the clunking noise is a crunching noise as the wheel goes down on the dip and comes back up.

I jacked up the car yesterday removed the wheel, the suspension looked solid. There was lots of black goo and gunk on the balljoint, looked very greasy.

How safe is it to drive on a leaking/bad ball joint? The ride is fine, no bouncy, the steering is fine no vibrations. I am getting rid of the car in 1-2 weeks but my commute is 50 miles everyday. My car went out of warranty on January, just hit 40k, I am going to try get Acura to cover this, any suggestions?

I can also buy a new upper control arm (right) for $54. 51450-SEP-A02 Is the install like the rear camber kit?

 

lol...........

 

Well here is a picture. Looks like the balljoint. Expected cost anyone know? I am going to try to get Acura to cover this.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54027258@N07/8590993774/

 

Buy the balljoint, rent the tool from AZ and do that shit yourself man. That upper control arm is super easy to remove. If Acura won't cover it, it will be a cheap/simple fix if you're slightly technically inclined.

 

what the dingo said. rent a ball joint press and DIY or buy a completely new upper control arm and replace it yourself (i think the new control arm comes with the ball joint already pressed in it, i don't remember)

 

Also check the right side engine mount located near the power steering pump reservoir, that causes the clunks over bumps if bad too.....

 

So Acura said its the upper control arm and the lower ball joint and the other side also needs the ball joint replaced. They said the total will be $720 or some shit like that.They also said the engine oil pump is leaking and thats why there is OIL on the balljoint and to replace that will be $1500 to repair and its because I must beat on the car.

So I kindly told them to fuck off and left. From this picture and the clicking noise do you guys think tis just the lower control arm? I am about to buy that soon and take it to another shop, I know I can DIY or whatever but I don't have the time. Should I replace the upper control arm as well while I am at it?

 

does not compute . idk about that whole oil pump thing..sounds like maybe there taking you for a ride on that one. Are you loosing oil between changes? What type of oil are you using (viscosity) and if you dont wanna do it your self go to a reputable indy shop and tell them you think you ball joint has gone bad. Also tell them to inspect the other side. I wouldnt tell them you had it looked at already bc they might try to replace something thats not wrong with the car just to make a buck. Also if you want tell them to check the oil pump and make sure its not leaking b/c you suspect it may be leaking. If they are honest, which if you do your research and find a good one they will tell you whats really wrong with it. And an indy shop would charge you prolly 800 bucks for acuras 1500 bucks. hope it makes sense. Good luck!

 

Thanks man.

I think its only the upper control arm unit, they pulling my leg with the lower ball joints crap.

 

Dealerships hire morons. Idk why they do it. That's just what they do.

Fix your small issue and avoid that dealer.

 

well as of yesterday while Driving I Had my Lower ballJoint Snap while leaving my House messed up a Axel and now need more work then Ever so if its making a Noise replace it!

 

I second the engine mounts (front and side). When I replaced my front and side engine mounts, the old one was completely damaged and torn. After replacing the engine mounts, the clunk noise was gone. The side engine mount you can check if they are bad, but there's no way telling if the fronts are bad unless you change it out.