D-012: Rear right suspension noise; e-brake cable tightening

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Old Apr 13, 2010 | 06:21 PM
  #1  
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D-012: Rear right suspension noise; e-brake cable tightening

Hello everyone, I'd like to say hello. Long time member, but very quite and usually just lurk around in the dark, perusing for tips and such.

Anyhoo, 2005 RL, 89275 miles; she's been rattling alot in the rear these days when going over bumps and initially I thought it was either the bushings, struts or other suspension component (even though she still handled quite alright) coming undone.

It turns out that all the clankering/clattering was caused by the Rear Emergency Brake cable(s) having a great deal of slack, resulting in the shoes thumping against their metal holding. Other than the adjustment/tensioning, no new parts were required for the fix (obligatory $98 garage labor fee required ).

So, we add a loose e-brake assembly to the list of things that could make the 2nd Gen rattle and clank when on the road.
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Old Apr 13, 2010 | 10:43 PM
  #2  
nore03's Avatar
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I've had this problem for 2 years now and could not figure out what it was. Ever since i put my rims on for the first time i have continued to hear this sound. you made my day actually figuring it out. I will have to take a look at it tomorrow.
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Old Apr 18, 2010 | 02:29 PM
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yup i have the same exact problem and didnt know what it was until my dealer figured it out, i thought it was something lose or the exhaust. apparently it was coming from both rear sides and the RL does have brake "shoes" for the emergency brakes. My dealer said because it's only an adjustment it wouldnt be covered under acura care but ill have to remove the rotors and adjust it
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Old Apr 29, 2010 | 02:20 PM
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Anyone have instructions on how to fix this? I have the same problem started about a month ago.
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Old May 2, 2010 | 02:14 AM
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my baby started to have to same problem about 1 years ago. i dont know how to fix it either. any instruction would be greatly appreciated.
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Old Jul 10, 2010 | 11:03 PM
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FN P90's Avatar
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So THAT'S what's causing the rattle! Dammit anyway! I guess I know what I'm ripping into tomorrow.
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Old Jul 11, 2010 | 05:26 PM
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This is the part causing the rattle over bumps.

I have found the part that's been driving me nuts. This is part of the parking brake, I don't know how I'm going to fix it yet, but going to try.

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]
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Old Jul 11, 2010 | 06:55 PM
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10mm deep socket to remove slack in rear parking brake. No more rattling.

[IMG][/IMG]
Old Jul 12, 2010 | 02:10 PM
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Looks like a good tip!

So we do not have do any adjustment at the e-brake shoe location?
Just take up slack using the nut near the parking brake pedal?

Thanks for the pictures!
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Old Jul 12, 2010 | 05:31 PM
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knv8's Avatar
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can someone describe the noise, i think i hear something from time to time
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Old Jul 12, 2010 | 08:06 PM
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thank god, I have the same noise and dealer can't figure it out...it was driving me crazy...
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Old Jul 12, 2010 | 10:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Chas2
Looks like a good tip!

So we do not have do any adjustment at the e-brake shoe location?
Just take up slack using the nut near the parking brake pedal?

Thanks for the pictures!
Yep, no f'ing around with the actual brake component. It's actually a 15 second job, much like my ex-girlfriend, whore, but that's another story. You should be able to feel when the slack is tightening whilst giving a few turns with the ol' 10mm..... Speaking of slop, have I mentioned she lives in Tampa? Hey, Tampa RL, I could give you her number, oh yeah, you have to own a NSX then she'll love you long time. But I digress....

The sound I was hearing was a metallic clanking/rattle when hitting sharp bumps. I would usually notice it if my rear windows were open and I was driving next to a building or wall during slower speeds.

I just wanted to post a few pictures for the forum. If I were smarter, I would have just made the damned adjustment on the parking brake, but no, I had to find the gremlin that was causing many sleepless nights.
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Old Jul 13, 2010 | 02:27 PM
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Originally Posted by FN P90
It's actually a 15 second job, much like my ex-girlfriend, whore, but that's another story. .
I got time for another story
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Old Jul 13, 2010 | 06:00 PM
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where exactly is the spot to tighten i cant make it out from the photo, this has been driving me insane as well
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Old Jul 13, 2010 | 08:19 PM
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Originally Posted by poppintec
where exactly is the spot to tighten i cant make it out from the photo, this has been driving me insane as well
Look for the red arrow in the photo below. That is the adjusting nut.
The overexposed pedal in the foreground is the Parking Brake pedal. So follow that pedal up to near its pivot point under the dash and you will find the adjusting nut.

Hope that helps

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Old Jul 14, 2010 | 10:45 AM
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yeap found it hope this cures this stupid noise ive been hearing........
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Old Jul 14, 2010 | 07:12 PM
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I have an '03 MDX, and for the past 2 days, I've been hearing a noise coming from the rear right wheel/suspension area.

Could it be the same noise you guy are experiencing on the RL?

It's a metal-to-metal noise...like when a bolt that hold 2 metal parts becomes loose, and those 2 parts starts rattling against each other. Something like that, anyways, lol.

I only hear it when I go over a big bump. Also, today, I made a sharp left turn(which obviouly affects the outside wheels...the right) and it made the noise. I don't hear it over small bumps at all. It's not a loud noise, but you hear it, and it's obvious where it's coming from.
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Old Jul 15, 2010 | 10:57 PM
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eVTEC's Avatar
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Thumbs up Solved my unknown rear suspension rattling

The fix completely elimiates the rattle I've been experiencing for some time.

I recommend sticky this thread for problem and solution.
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Old Jul 20, 2010 | 02:57 PM
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Hey guys,

I also have an 05 RL with approx. 85k miles and I always hear a loud weird rumbling/grumbling/rattling noise coming from the right (passenger) rear side of the car whenever I make a left turn. Could this be the cause ?

But the noise only happens when I am making a left turn, hmm. I have no clue as to what this noise is or what is causing this noise. Any help is appreciated.
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Old Jul 21, 2010 | 04:34 AM
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cool i guess i will be checking it tomorrow morning. can't wait to fix that stupid noise
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Old Jul 21, 2010 | 08:24 AM
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I had the same symptoms and it turned out to be that my rotors were warped. Had them replaced along with new brakes, problem resolved.
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Old Jul 21, 2010 | 11:26 PM
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did the fix today and the car runs like day 1. Thank a lot. BTW when i tried to tighten the screw, it is very loose.
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Old Jul 22, 2010 | 01:00 PM
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Sticky this to DIY please! Thanks!
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Old Jul 25, 2010 | 10:16 PM
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i had the same noise and followed repair instrux. thanks
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Old Jul 27, 2010 | 12:39 PM
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Quick question... I have a rattle as described above and can't be arsed for the dealer to overcharge me on something I can fix myself , do I tighten the slack with parking break off? correct?
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Old Aug 1, 2010 | 08:48 PM
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fafpak's Avatar
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Originally Posted by FN P90
10mm deep socket to remove slack in rear parking brake. No more rattling.

Awesome sleuthing. Wish I could roll back time so I didn't have to shed out the $$ when it turns out that it's such a simple DIY.
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Old Apr 8, 2011 | 07:56 PM
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quick question on this, i tried it the other day, are you suppose to push the parking brake then adjusting the screw or leave it off and adj? i adjust it when it was up i think i did to much, cause the car didnt move while in drive as if you had your parking brake on... thanks!!!
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Old Jul 13, 2011 | 03:40 PM
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So I've had this problem consistently since the car was brand new in 2006. I read this last week and made an appointment with my Acura dealer.

Result - They parking brake cable has no slack and it's just the "design" of the car so they said.

They also said if enough people complain to American Honda they may come out with a fix.

Even the tech who owns a RL has the same problem and he used his own remedy by putting a piece of felt on the cable but my service advisor doesn't recommend doing that.

How do you contact Honda about this?
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Old Jul 30, 2011 | 03:31 PM
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On another post this noise is being associated to a bad CV joint?

Thoughts?
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Old Sep 23, 2011 | 02:22 PM
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ok so i took my car to the dealer because i was hearing this clicking noise as well, and i even printed this out for them. they said they couldnt repeat it but they did adjust the ebrake at no charge. now this was on tuesday. i got it back wed morning but didnt drive, now thursday 9/23/11 i drove it over few bumps and herd it but it wasnt as before it was very quiet you could hear it sometimes. what could this be. here is a short video see if you can here it.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lR28aFEuYpk
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Old Dec 26, 2011 | 10:03 AM
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Thumbs up e-brake...not shock absorber...shoulda checked here sooner!

Thanks, everyone. 05 RL. Had been noticing this rattle for about a year. Local garage wasn't sure. Dealer diagnosed as right rear suspension dampener (my, what a fancy-sounding part!) Wanted way too much for shock and labor, so bought myself and had my guy swap it. Still $300, though...and didn't fix the problem, obviously. Pissed. Called dealer and bitched, but of course they wouldn't do anything bc I dissed them on the job. Said they would need another two hours to find the problem (I guess this time for realsies?). Yeah, right. Local guy had mentioned e-brake as a possibility (only after shock absorber job!), but I haven't taken her back yet. Had no idea this might be something I could adjust and fix myself...that would make my month! Next time I'm checking the 'garage' here before I take my baby anywhere! :-)
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Old Dec 27, 2011 | 09:36 PM
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Originally Posted by MethodManHands
Next time I'm checking the 'garage' here before I take my baby anywhere! :-)
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Old Aug 10, 2012 | 07:33 AM
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05 Acura RL w/metal clinging noise from rear end

Ok, just bought an 05 Acura RL w/111K from Acura of Brookfield, WI and owned the car for a little over a month now. Absolutely love the car I think the best car I owned so far but any who I hear like a metal clinging sound from the rear end on rough roads. The sound doesn't sound major more like something needs to be tighten up. I took the car to the dealership two or three times and they couldn't find the issue. The mgr was giving me shit about were chasing a sound and may fix something and doesn't resolve the problem. I took it to a side shop and the gentlemen was adament about replcing the brake hardware, he said that is all it could be. Please help if it's the brake hardware that's an easy fix but if anybody has suggestions feel free I'm all ears.
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Old Aug 10, 2012 | 09:07 AM
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You should check the parking break cable tightness... here's the thread:

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...=parking+break
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Old Aug 10, 2012 | 10:39 AM
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This.^ Don't replace anything. Just tighten your cable.
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Old Aug 10, 2012 | 01:36 PM
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I agree with the above 2 posters. There are two other possible sources I have read in this forum:

1) The metal tension bars which spring the trunk lid may be making contact.
2) The rear deck has been known to cause some light metallic sounds.

I have experienced the second when weather extremes appear (hot or cold). It is not the typical buzzing / rattling sometimes associated with the sub-woofer. It is more like metal components flexing or shifting. I notice it when riding up the driveway curb or speed humps, especially at an angle.

If none of the above....I would think suspension or a heat shield as the source.
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Old Aug 15, 2012 | 10:21 AM
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Thanks but it's actually coming from the passenger rear tire. I know this for sure.
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Old Aug 15, 2012 | 10:31 AM
  #38  
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Thanks alot man I really appreciate this.
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Old Aug 15, 2012 | 12:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Weizzy
Thanks but it's actually coming from the passenger rear tire. I know this for sure.
You should quote the posts you are replying to. It helps us to understand what you are trying to say.

In response to this post, I think this fix will help with noise coming from either rear brake.
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Old Aug 15, 2012 | 03:12 PM
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I've started to have this problem with my '06.

Hopefully, this weekend, I can jack the car up and find out where it's coming from.
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