Knocking sound on slow turns on my 2003 Acura EL

[CLO]

Hi, I am from Canada... I have recently purchase a new 2003 Acura EL.. the EL only available in Canada... which is share the same body as a CVIC..

I only have the car for 3 weeks and 1500 KM on it! I first notics this KNOCKING when I parking my car... when I backing up into my drive way slowly, as soon as I turn the wheel while moving, I will hear this KNOCK , KNOCK.. it sounded like a "old wooden boat when it rocking".. so I go to a empty parking lot.. release my brake and go all the way to the right then go all the way to the left! and what do you know, the knocking!! It sound only when the car swing from side to side... and it only happen in low speed!! I go through bumps and there is no sound... and if I hold my wheel all the right or left and do a 360 it will have no sound... it only happen when the car (roll) swings to side to side to get this sound... and the car only 3 weeks old... anyone have any idea?? I going to bring the car into Acura tomorrow.... Thanks for the help!

BTW, here is a picture of my car...

[911GT2]

Take it in. I drive an almost identical 2001 Civic (same suspension, steering and engine) and it's got 50K kms on it with no problems to date, other tha unsatusfactorily high brake wear.

Are you following warmup/breakin procedures??

[CLO]

Well, yea, I go really slow... on pick up and try to avoid hard stoping... But this knocking happen when my foot is off the brakes... so I don't thinks is the brakes... it really sound like from the coil spring or somethings....

[911GT2]

Sorry, never meant to imply it was the brakes, just mentioned that mine wore quite early IMO. The OEM tires were pretty crappy too.

But anyways, I think it's a loose bolt somwhere in your steering, maybe tie rod end....but just take it in, there's no reason for you to have to do shit all to get if fixed. The car is 3 weeks old.

[ales]

To me it definitely sounds as a CV joint gone bad (or the wheel bearing but taht is not as probable). Take it in and tell us the reuslts. Although on a car this new it would be really unusual.

Good luck
Alex

[Polygon]

Originally posted by ales
To me it definitely sounds as a CV joint gone bad (or the wheel bearing but taht is not as probable). Take it in and tell us the reuslts. Although on a car this new it would be really unusual.

Good luck
Alex

Poo, beat me to it. I would agree, it sounds like a bad CV joint. At the most it should cost you $80 for a new one, probably less and they are a sinch to install, plus they should give you a core charge on your old one.

[911GT2]

Originally posted by Polygon


Poo, beat me to it. I would agree, it sounds like a bad CV joint. At the most it should cost you $80 for a new one, probably less and they are a sinch to install, plus they should give you a core charge on your old one.

The car's 3 weeks old, it better be covered.

[CLO]

Well, I guessed right! Acura just called me and it is the front "COILS" making the noise! And both of them have to be replace (Front-Left and Front-Right) and they have to do a Front Wheels Alignment after it!

What wrost is these parts are in BACK ORDER! from Japan.. and it could take weeks to get here!

I mean, I would expect this for a GM car, but for a 3 weeks old HONDA!! This is something! Wait till they mail me that NEW OWNER Survey! I go to give them #@$!

[911GT2]

Originally posted by CLO
Well, I guessed right! Acura just called me and it is the front "COILS" making the noise! And both of them have to be replace (Front-Left and Front-Right) and they have to do a Front Wheels Alignment after it!

What wrost is these parts are in BACK ORDER! from Japan.. and it could take weeks to get here!

I mean, I would expect this for a GM car, but for a 3 weeks old HONDA!! This is something! Wait till they mail me that NEW OWNER Survey! I go to give them #@$!

Since they're letting you drive it, there will be no adverse effects to it. If there was, they'd give you a rental car (if you complain they just might give you one anyways to protect their reputation).

Just make sure you don't pay a cent for it.

[CLO]

Oh yah... I don't have to pay nothing.. the car have a Bumper to Bumper Warrenty for 3 years... mine just 3 weeks! and 5 years for the engine and transimission... I am thinking of buying the extanded warrenty... I will made my mind next year, after a year....

[Rich]

Originally posted by CLO
I mean, I would expect this for a GM car, but for a 3 weeks old HONDA!! This is something! Wait till they mail me that NEW OWNER Survey! I go to give them #@$!

Too bad that you had some bad luck with your car, but thats no reason to run GM down. I am a happy GM owner, and there are alot of us out there. All vehicles have there good and bad points, and we all get a lemon once in a while.

Good luck getting the car fixed, hope everything turns out ok

[CLO]

Well... Let me give you guys an update of my problems... it is 3rd week and I am still waiting for the Springs to come in from Japan... They say it will come in this coming Week and I made an appointments on Jan 20, 2003. to have it done... but for some reason, we got a lot of snow this couple of weeks and the noise is gone! I don't know if water on the road have anythings to do with it! But I will return the car in anyway...

Anyway, the pass 3 weeks is the plain in the a$$ for me in this car... First my Coil, then my Head light, water going in when it rain! And one of my power lock have fail! I brough it in right before Christmas and have it fix! I finally wrote a latter to Honda asking them how come this car have so many problems! And Honda contact me back and give me a $100 credit for services! and the lady on the phone actually call the dealer asking for me for the Spring Status! What so funny are I called them on Monday and they say they still didn't know when the COIL Springs going to come in... On Tuesday, Honda Head Office got my latter, and cotacted the Dealer; then they called me back and say the COIL will arrive by Jan 20! and they made an appointment for me!

This COIL Springs problems seem to been a common problems.. I have a friend that know some one worked in Honda/Acura. He say they getting a lot of this on 2002/2003 Acura EL... and that could be one of the reason why they don't have any COIL in stock localy... Because they can't give me the one that is here cause it have a known defact on it and have to get it from a totally redesign one from Japan....

I really don't understand how they don't have parts on hand! Cause the Acura EL is build in Canada and just 70 KM North of where I live! So what are those guys doing up there?? Seating around and wait for the parts to come?

[Polygon]

Well, I am sure that other models are manufactured at that plant as well, but I understand how you feel. I have had enough bad experiences with one bad dealership to last a lifetime.