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Knocking sound when making tight turns

4882 Views 10 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  Basset Box
Hey, new EOC member here. I'm looking to improve my element's performance but before I do that I want to address my main concern with the car. When I make tight turns (even at very low speeds) there is a sort of knocking or grinding sound that seems to be coming from the front wheel wells. I think it might be the springs but I am not sure. It has been doing that for a while and doesn't concern me too much but I would like to fix it since everyone who gets into my car worries about it. Is this a common issue and can it be a easily fixed with an aftermarket part?
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Tim777
Welcome to EOC.
I would check to see if the lower ball joints, and or, covers are bad.
I replaced mine sometime last year. I had the same noise you have here. It cost me $20 for the rubber covers. I just added more lub, and replaced everything back in the same order. If you don't do your own work on your E, it's going to cost you some coin. If you know how to work around the E and you need more help? I would just ask around here, and or, purchase a service manual for it.
I'm happy I used a service manual, only for without it, I had no idea, of what I was doing. I might of used four hours repairing both sides on mine, (I have power air tools from SnapOn) at home.
That's if you'll need more work done to it? I hope you have an extra car?
Peace..
Cecil....
thanks Cecil, Im not very experienced with cars but I am pretty good at fixing things. I could probably do the job with the service manual so I will definitely pick one up if I can get one cheap.
Tim777 Welcome to the EOC. The best investment you can make is to purchase a factory tech. manual for your E. The first time you use it to perform a repair it will pay for itself. Just to look at a Honda where I live costs 85 clams. You will not regret it.
Jackson:D
Hey Tim, this sounds like the rear differential fluid needs to be replaced. We have a '03 with 140,000 miles at the time and had the same thing..sorta a clunking,jerky hard turn when going slow.Its a very easy fix,on the rear Diff there is a drain plug on the left side w/ a 3/8 inch square that is for a 3/8 drive ratchet. unscrew and drain reinstall plug,then remove the upper plug and add the fluid in the top hole until it come out of the fill hole. A squeeze sports water bottle works great for this. It will take alittle over 1 bottle to re-fill. Use the fluid from Honda (just tell them it is for your rear Diff). It takes about 5 mins to do after you put your E on a lift or a set of ramps. Good luck.
Hey Tim, this sounds like the rear differential fluid needs to be replaced. We have a '03 with 140,000 miles at the time and had the same thing..sorta a clunking,jerky hard turn when going slow.Its a very easy fix,on the rear Diff there is a drain plug on the left side w/ a 3/8 inch square that is for a 3/8 drive ratchet. unscrew and drain reinstall plug,then remove the upper plug and add the fluid in the top hole until it come out of the fill hole. A squeeze sports water bottle works great for this. It will take alittle over 1 bottle to re-fill. Use the fluid from Honda (just tell them it is for your rear Diff). It takes about 5 mins to do after you put your E on a lift or a set of ramps. Good luck.
How do I access the rear differential?
thank you very much. All this information was very helpful and I will certainly try to do this soon.
This was extremely helpful. I was able to replace the fluid within an hour and now I don't have any strange noises coming from my element :) The local honda shop is a bit of a rip off though. $32 for 2 quarts of dual pump fluid II.
Now I'd not too keen on car repair, so i apologize if I come across as a bit of a noob... but I am also having this issue, mine is on really tight turns as well as when i slowly accelerate from a stop, same issue?
Now I'd not too keen on car repair, so i apologize if I come across as a bit of a noob... but I am also having this issue, mine is on really tight turns as well as when i slowly accelerate from a stop, same issue?
I'd say it is worth it to just replace the fluid to find out. If it doesn't fix the problem at least you have some new fluid in there. The DIY on here is great and it seems like it is fairly easy.
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