Hmm, that wasn't good...

"BaconSandwich is tasty." (baconsandwich)
04/22/2014 at 10:46 • Filed to: None

I just heard a rather loud pop/clunk noise from my front driver's side as I was pulling into a parking spot. I've noticed a slight squeak a few times prior to this. Without getting it up on stands and pulling the wheel off, I'm not quite sure what the problem is. I know my lower control arm bushings are getting quite worn, but I don't think that is it. The boot/dust guard on my steering rack is also a bit of a mess, as every time I change my oil it dribbles a little onto it, but again, I don't think that would be quite capable of making a noise like the one I heard this morning.

Shall we all take guesses on what it might be? The car in question is a 2001 Civic, 4 door.

DISCUSSION (16)

crowmolly > BaconSandwich is tasty.
04/22/2014 at 10:49

Ball joint maybe? You should inspect the entire suspension at this point.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > crowmolly
04/22/2014 at 11:02

Maybe, but unlikely. I had them replaced roughly two years ago. A while back I was getting a popping noise when turning sharply under low speeds. It turns out that on the '01 Civic, Honda somehow thought it would be a good idea to use a big plastic piece in the top of the strut tower, which would slowly disintegrate. Once I replaced the front struts and top strut mounts, the noise went away. In trying to figure out what the problem was, I replaced the lower ball joints, so they are fairly new.

crowmolly > BaconSandwich is tasty.
04/22/2014 at 11:13

Gotcha. I had the same issue with W-body GM stuff- strut mount would go and then it's clunk city. Maybe tie rod ends?

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > BaconSandwich is tasty.
04/22/2014 at 11:39

Tie rod ends can pop and make weird noises when they are about to kick the can. You are the fella from Lethbridge right?

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
04/22/2014 at 12:22

Yup.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > BaconSandwich is tasty.
04/22/2014 at 12:24

Signing up for autocross this year?

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
04/22/2014 at 14:14

You know what, I honestly hadn't thought about it. Right now I'm in the process of writing up my thesis, so that'll have me busy for the next month and a half. That, and a lot of the events are on Sundays, which are a no-go for me.

That being said, for the Saturday events I certainly wouldn't mind doing some photography. If I'm not racing, I might as well be taking pictures of those who are!

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > BaconSandwich is tasty.
04/22/2014 at 14:35

That's cool either way, if only my Sonoma could drive at any speed without feeling like it would implode. I need beater/autocrosser something fierce.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
04/22/2014 at 14:55

Given the number of awesome vehicles around Lethbridge, you'd think that there'd be some sweet rides for sale. I guess I haven't been looking much, so I haven't seen anything particularly good. If I do see something, I'll be sure to mention it here on Oppo.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > BaconSandwich is tasty.
04/22/2014 at 15:08

Good call, there was a Firefly for sale but it went pretty quick, have to think it would be an awesome auto crosser.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > BaconSandwich is tasty.
04/22/2014 at 15:11

You might also find this interesting

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
04/22/2014 at 16:02

Yeah, I saw that. Someone on the Lethbridge Autocross group on Facebook posted it a while ago. If anyone had any leads down here, I'd be happy to follow up on them.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > BaconSandwich is tasty.
04/22/2014 at 17:22

I actually talked to the guy a bit in the comments of that story but it doesnt look like there are many left.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
04/22/2014 at 18:52

I just had another read through the comments as well. It would seem that someone actually found one, and is restoring it.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > BaconSandwich is tasty.
04/22/2014 at 18:55

Ya it looked like it was in Red Deer, he needs to be an Opponaut! Must see rebuild!

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
04/22/2014 at 19:08

Agreed!