[timirish3]

All,

I was just at the dealership for a level 2 service (basically they check the whole car and replace some of the fluid). Anyway here is my problem. When my car comes to a complete stop and then when I accelerate, I hear a pop or knock noise coming from the front driver side. It's not very load, but it is there. The dealership took it for a drive and checked the whole under carriage and said cv joints and tie rods are good. They did tighten up the struts or re-adjusted them that I just had put on in July. I still hear the noice. The dealership said it may be a possible body creek. Has anyone ever heard of this and is there any fix?

I have a 2005 element with 76,200 miles on it. Anyhelp would be appreciated before I go back to the dealership. Basically I'm not even sure if I should worry about it or just wait till it gets worst. Hopefully i can perserve the car now that I only drive about 5 miles a day due to taking public transportation . I would like to keep it for another 4 years.

 

[capt]

From your post I see that you had the struts replaced in July. Why were the struts replaced? Was there any noise before you had the struts replaced? Did you have the dealer check, service or replace the strut mounts to prevent any potential problems when the struts were replaced? The cost for replacement strut mounts would be about $50 each.

 

[slimerdogs]

This could be out there but it sounds like you might have a work out engine mount or trans mount. Other then that possible the brake pad slipping or something loose on the lower control arm.

 

[wipeout97]

One easy way to figure out if it's a body noise or a mount noise/suspension is to jack the car up and put it on 4 jack stands. Have someone listen as you would try to re-create the noise and if it is still present it would more than likely be a mount, if not then chances are you could have body noise but this would lead me to believe someone went screwy when the machines were building your car or that the car had been wrecked and had a spotty repair job.

 

[Tim Vance]

I get a creaking noise when accelerating and stopping...
I was told it's the upper strut towers and bearings, as you only hear it when the struts would be moving...

Did you have these replaced when they changed your struts?

 

[wipeout97]

Ball joints are notorious "creakers". Might want to have them checked out.....

If your struts are making noise you should check to ensure there is no leak and no fluid flowing down. If they are sealed with fluid there should be no creaking from them as it's a smooth fluid motion.

 

[timirish3]

Thanks everyone for the thoughts. I don't think it is the struts becuase when I accelerate it is like 2 or 3 knocking noises. The guy at Honda said it could be a possible body panel creak. does anyone know that means? I don't think I am going to worry about it until it gets worst. Other then that the car runs good. What do you guys think should I have the dealership charge $90 bcks to look at it or leave it alone for now?

 

[mjohnston39]

Check the end links of the front sway bar....

 

[Silver02TDI]

I have the same problem... A weird creaking at acceleration and deceleration, and no other time. I've had two mechanics look at it, and they can't figure it out out. Everything in the suspension checks out - control arms, tie rods, etc. Mind you these are not Honda specialists, so they aren't familiar with Honda's quirks and suggested I take it to a Honda dealership

 

[jjjewett]

strut mount

I have a creeking / squeaking that sounds like it is coming from just underneath the hood. It turned out to be the strut mounts. When I spray them with some lube the noise stops. I have 109k miles on it. Perhaps I will just swap out the mounts or replace both struts...

 

[calvin13]

It could just be old age and body flex.

 

[com3]

i have the exact same issue... the dealership replaced the struts 2 weeks after i bought the E (used, with 50K miles on it), as i'd complained of the same noises... well, even with new struts, it still makes the noise. more like a "twang" that you'd hear when metal cable is stretching. only happens with coming to a complete stop. i have nearly 80K miles on it now, and the noise has not gotten any better or worse, and it's intermitent. i'd say ~50% of the time when coming to a stop it will "twang."