New Honda Struts creak excessively

james'99 · Jan 8, 2015

Approxomiately 900mi ago, I installed new front struts, fully loaded from Majestic Honda. The passenger, no problems. The driver, excessive creaking from 0 to ~5mph and at 0 on the brake. I can even feel what I hear in the clutch and brake pedal ever so slightly. The excessive cold is when I really notice it. 0 degrees Fahrenheit last night. Everything is torqued to spec and all else seems to be in order. Just find this really odd. Any assistance is appreciated. Next week, I will probably call and request a new one from Majestic Honda. I don't think this is proper.

xci.ed6 · Jan 8, 2015

sounds like you might have a bushing slipping, two choices:

1-'Chassis Ear'
almost any shop should have one, working on a radioshack *hack*, i wish bluetooth for my phone were around...

2-spray it
Look under car, find any suspicious bushings, SPRAY WITH LUBE!!!!
test. Gone?
pick & continue until you find out which bushing
not exactly *efficient* but it will find the right thing...

Oh, do all this AFTER making sure EVERY SINGLE BOLT IS TIGHT!!

james'99 · Jan 8, 2015

Thanks for the input xci! Will definitely check out all of my bushings. Unfortunately, already have a busy weekend ahead but if I have time, I will definitely do it this weekend or early next week. Will keep you posted on this. Thank you!

truWarier02 · Jan 8, 2015

I know you said you checked already but it sounds like maybe a lower shock mount bolt is not tight enough. It happens.

james'99 · Jan 8, 2015

Yeah, anything is possible obviously. I use caution with suspension in terms of those types of things. I adhered to the torque specs but hey, we'll find out!

james'99 · Jan 27, 2015

Just to update, I hit the bushings on the lower control arm with WD-40 to no avail. Gotta pull it apart. Unfortunately, time hasn't been on my side with school starting back up.

xci.ed6 · Jan 28, 2015

oh, do not use 'WD-40'!

sorry, I shoulda specified that :doh:

You can use that to clean -or- lube...they claim...the only reason it can 'do' both? It sucks at both.

well, it *might* work...for 1 mile...then its gone...

I use motorcycle chain lube (I obviously have it for other things

) it goes on thin, soaks, then a 'thinner' evaporates leaving -REAL- lube.

should have lots of other stuff at a parts store, many will work.

-checked my home 'kit'

I use 'Liquid Wrench Chain Lube'...I -DO NOT- use it on chains, it kinda sucks for that, but it works for cables (gotta clean/lube motorcycle cables, like the clutch cable FYI) and diagnosing random noises.