i have a strange suspension related noise in the front end of the car..... has anyone else experienced this?

I have not but I don't have a lot of time in the car. If I go over a stiff bump I hear it but it's road noise. What does it sound like. If your stopped with the car off and push up and down on the front bumper can you still hear it? Best of luck, Jake

struts have already been replaced in the vehicle....... noise lessened in frequency but persists....... "popping" sound coming from the top of the passenger side strut tower......... noone else has had this?

Sorry... she's clean as a whistle over bumps.

Since most of the country is deep in winter, i can only suspect that the cause of the front end noise would be due to the rubber bits getting firmer and the shock oil thicker. It should go away when the weather turns warmer and the noise probably won't return.

My Element has a strange metallic sound every time I let off the gas or hit the breaks? It seems to come from just under the engine and it only does it when the weather is cold. ( Connecticut) Has any one experieced this?

that is exactly what i am talking about....... kinda :wink:
but i am trying to see how many people out there are experiencing this santa......... have you brought yours to a dealership yet?

Have either of you guys ever owned an AWD/4WD vehicle before? What you are describing sounds like play in the U-joints. With AWD and 4WD cars there are a bunch of Universal Joints that allow the drivetrain to flex with the suspension. The noise you are describing, and the conditions, sounds like these joints shifting stress. Acceleration will put stress on the joints in one direction, and in the other when decelerating. During the transition the joint can make a *clunk* noise. It is very common, and nothing to worry about. However, there is a point when the joint bearings begin to wear, and you will experience lerching, and shudder, but with regular check-ups your mechanic will be ontop of the wear. BTW-Temperature does affect bearing lubricant, and cold weather will stiffen the joint. This will cause the *clunk" when driving over bumps as the joint flexes. I would take the truck in to the dealer, describe the issue, and have them check the joints. One also might not be tightened properly. This is a brand new car after all, and the manufacturing process still has some kinks. Otherwise, I would give it some time. Once the joints settle, the noise could subside a bit.

Well, I did visit my local dealer and it turned out to be a clearance pronblem between the lower A-arm and the frame. According to the dealer the rubber bushing between both parts is supposed to prevent any metal to metal contact, but not in my case. When you stop or accelerate the a-arm slides back and forth making contact with the frame. The problem has been corrected by re adjusting the clearance between both parts. This may eventually turn out to be a recall, since there is little no room for adjutment according to the dealer. I have driven the Element for about 50 miles since and so far so good... Santa

I Have had a clicking sound in the front-end from the get-go every time I start to drive the car after it has sat for a while. I think it's the brakes or the suspension :?: I took it to the dealer and they said that the passport and van make the same noise when they are just starting to drive after sitting. They assured me that it wasn't REALLY a problem. But since it sounds like metal against metal, I'm not sure I believe that! We'llsee!

I did a search for this topic because I'm starting to get this problem in my vehicle. It only does it at slow speeds when you're stopping in a parking lot or backing up. It's like a clunk-clunk sound. Definitely suspension or brakes. It's doing ok now I will have it addressed at 7500 mile service, along with the 2 broken fins in my air vents. Other than those problems nothing wrong so far! :)

I've noticed that there is a "clunk" in the front-end whenever I first take-off after backing out of my driverway. It's like the front-end is loading some tension when I back-up and then it's released when I start to move forward, CLUNK.
Only time I get it is the first start after backing the E.I'm gonna try it going from forward to reverse today and see what happens.

I think I've heard the same thing in the same circumstances, Dougola.

Any update on the front end noise?

-I notice the sound @ low speed when the vehicle
starts to slow down.

-sounds like going over an expansion gap on the highway.

-I dont know if the wheel and tire upgrade is causing this (245-55-18)

Have you checked the body panels on the front. we had noise and it turned out to be the painted part right above the right plastic body panel. we snaped it back on and no more noise.

I have the same kind of clunk going on with mine. Usually when I'm backing up and turning the wheel sharply. It also makes the noise again when I hit the brake for the first time after starting. I took it to the dealer today and the tech thought it was the brake calliper. I have an appt. to drop it off on Friday. We'll see what they come up with?

I can get this noise to happen at will. Each time you reverse direction, the first time you apply the brakes you'll hear a metallic click. You only need to be rolling slowly to test this out. Just try it in forward and then reverse.

My best guess is a ill fitting brake pad that "scoots" along until it hits a metallic stop. Each time you reverse direction it will slide in the other direction when you apply the brakes.

I haven't brought it in to the dealer yet, but I feel that it has to be some sort of sliding of the brake pads.

Can anybody else recreate this noise at will ?????

Bill

I have the same problem. I do not notice it often but have heard it when backing out and starting to drive at slow speeds sometimes. Any info on whether this problem is covered under warranty and whether it is common enough for a service tech. to know what I'm talking? Or will they think I'm crazy? :shock:

Most likely they won't know what your talking about. I had mine serviced under warranty and they also thought it was the brake caliper sliding. They said it was fixed and the first time I backed it out the noise/clunk was still there. I think it's something bigger than the brakes. When I'm backing up and turning the wheel sharply it's much louder. I will be returning mine to be fixed properly. Hopefully we can get this figured out, it's annoying.

I get a "clunk" when I start to back up while parked on an incline.

I have noticed a clunking noise in the front end that seems to be linked to my steering colum. This knocking kind of sound only happens when Im turning the steering wheel, has anyone else had a similar problem. Im going to have the dealer inspect it as the sound is getting worse and worse each day

I get the same noise which seems to come from the brakes. If I back out of the driveway I hear a clicking when I apply the brakes, then when I go forward I hear it again the next time I apply the brakes. It only happens when changing directions. It soulds like it has to be the brakes. I will take it in this weekend.

Yes Kassy (My fellow Canadian) I have suffered the exact noise that you describe.
just so we are clear, lets separate the different sounds that are being discussed in this thread.

1. A sound that can be heard when going over bumps. Suspension related.

2. A sound that can be heard while "dry steering" That is steering while the vehicle is stationary. Easily corrected with swift replacement of the offending strut. In my case the drivers side.

3. A clunky or clicky sound that occurs when applying the brakes- switching direction- in reverse or drive. Most certainly the brake pads shifting.

I was concerned that Honda would have trouble fixing the offending noise, but they ordered the new strut, put it in and that sound has disapated.
They first tried to replace the bearing plate- a small Frisbee shaped disc about the size of a mini Compact disc. Later they tried to grease the area where the spring hits the strut tower. The Mechanic may have become Frustrsated by this and solved the prob. by swapping the entire unit. I of course preferred THIS to some short term fix that would likely return. :)

The noise I've been hearing is directly related to the "self-adjusting brakes" that my service technician described. It only happens at speeds of 5mph and under and when you hit the brakes. It's like 1 or 2 muffled clunks. The service advisor said that it was normal.

wr70beh is right on the brake noise. I took our Element in yesterday and they showed be a bulletin released by Honda on the brake clicking noise when reversing directions. So I guess I just have to live with it.

I get the same "clunk" every morning, warm up a minute, brake on, put in reverse, let off the brake and just as it starts to roll backwards, a "clunk", I assumed it had to do with the AWD system... have not noticed the metal on metal sound, did hear a noise that sounded like a catalytic converter heat shield rattle the first 300 miles or so, but this went away.

I too have a definite "clunk" that I am having a hard time pining down. It seems to happen more often backing up than going forward, but always when going over incline or bump, often when the two front wheels are not on the same level as each other (bump on one side only). I can create it reasonably at will by backing out of my driveway which has a depression in it. It is not metal-on-metal but a more solid "clunk" or "thunk" sound, somewhat like some a rubber mallet sound if that makes any sense. I am assuming it is in some way suspension related.

I have had the dealer look at it who said they could not reproduce it. Since then I have tried paying more attention to the circumstances that cause it but before I go in again and have them tell me they can't find anything again, I thought I'd try here to see if this lets me talk about it more intelligently.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Great site by the way -- just ordered my Tshirt :)

:D Just got my e back from the dealer and was told that the lower control arm bushing is what was making the noise.They replced it and no noise yet.Only been a few hours.

[quote:553d9f2973="aaronmafera"]i have a strange suspension related noise in the front end of the car..... has anyone else experienced this?[/quote:553d9f2973]

I have the same problem with my E. They (Stealer) retorqued the strut nut and the noise came back a day after I picked it up. &**())$)!

Bol, could you tell me exactly what your noise sounded like?

:D SRY FOR THE CAPS....... BUT I REALLY NEED TO POST THAT THERE HAS BEEN A FINALITY TO THE NOISE IN MY E....... HAVE THE TECH PUT IT ON A LIFT AND BACK OUT THE BOLTS IN THE LOWER SUSPENSION AND THEN TIGHTEN THEM DOWN.......... NOISE IS HISTORY NOW......... BEEN AT LEAST 3 WEEKS AND MANY MILES....... AND I WORK AT A HONDA DEALERSHIP........ TOOK QUITE A WHILE TO NAIL THIS ONE DOWN......... BUT ALL THE OTHERS SOUND ALMOST IDENTICAL TO MY GRIEF......... SUGGEST IT WHEN YOU BRING IT IN FOR THE NEXT SERVICE........

Thanks burnt-O and aaronmafera

Hopefully if we all work together to keep each other informed, we will track down all these noises! Keep the info coming E owners!

I noticed the noise today...funny how you don't listen to the car with the radio on....but after checking this thread I decided to go out for a ride and sure enough.....aaronmafera...I will copy your response so I can take it to the dealer on my next visit.....soooonnn..... :wink: ..and I was just there yesterday...damn :twisted:

Johnathon b your post helped me define things better to the dealer, many thanks, they are making arrangements to replace my left shock tower as both the mechanic and I pin pointed the problem when the car was on the lift, the right side was fine but the clunking sound when turning the wheel was definetly showing a default in the left shock tower. Thanks again

I just hit 13000KM's. The Element has started to make grinding sounds when I turn the steering wheel from lock to lock. I noticed it parallel parking yesterday. I got my wife to turn the wheel while I inspected the front end. The biggest vibration seems to come through the springs. The rack and the control arms seem ok. It happens on both sides of the front end. I suspect it may be the bearings on the top of the strut anybody had the same problem? I am taking it in to the dealer next week to see what they say. I'll keep you folks posted.

JDC

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4506

i have a strange suspension related noise in the front end of the car..... has anyone else experienced this?

Yes, I had new brakes put on the 04 at 56k. Then it got worse.:mad: I had to go back to the dealer three times and have the rotors turned (at their expense). After the third time, they came to my house with a rental 05 E which I took to Cherokee for a joy ride(I live 45 miles from the dealer) and picked up my E. They put new rotors on it and filled up the tank and brought it back to me the next day. It was great to drive it without the noise, but then 2 weeks ago(5k later) it has returned! :x Yeaks... I am wondering if it is the rotor is loose, because now it is the opposite side making the noise. I plan to take it to the dealer again. I will let you know and please do the same!