I'm about to have a Fit (Mechanical Issue)
 

Hey Fellow Fit Owners,

(I used the search function before posting this, but didn't find anything super useful and noticed a few things about my problem that were different from other posters.)

Thanks in advance for reading.

New owner here. Bought a 08 Fit in November in Northern VA. Car was originally from NC. Bought it from the second owner. Have put about 3000 miles on the car so far, (78k total) and on Saturday, I had my first mechanical issue. When I turn at slow speeds, the front end (drivers side most likely) creaks. It's only at slow speeds, or when the car is parked. Don't notice above 15-20 mph. The car wasn't making any noise on Friday, but started immediately on Saturday. It seems to be getting worse. If I turn the wheel all the way, and let go so that the wheel adjusts back to steering straight, the noise is made on both parts of the revolution (the initial one to turn, and the second one back to center). I don't think this is a suspension issue because when I rock the car, or put weight on the front end = no noise. I don't have to turn the wheel much to hear the noise also, just a tiny, tiny bit, which shouldn't impact the suspension too much. I do hear the noise all the way the turning radius at slow speeds though. I don't hear the noise when I go over bumps at slow speeds while going straight.

If you need any other info to help me diagnose let me know.

My plan of action is to get the wheel off the car tomorrow and clean everything with a gentle spray from a hose. I'll see if I can pinpoint the noise with the wheel off. I'll probably take a vid of all this and post it here.

One last piece of info. I do live in Western Md and most of my driving is on wet/salty roads.

- Chris

It sounds like an issue when I first bought my used 2008 Honda Fit Sport.
I might be the front axles that need to be replaced. It's not a cheap repair either from what I remember. Maybe go to a Honda dealership and ask them to take a look or just go to a mechanic that you trust

Btw, you didn't have to make two threads

Didn't mean to post twice. Any idea how I can delete that last post?

Also, thanks for your help.

Dose the car feel like its "popping" when turning hard one way or another?

No problem at all, we're all here to help one another

Is the noise when the car is turning, or is it when you are turning the steering wheel? If the noise is associated with turning the steering wheel (as opposed to having the car drive in a turn), I'd guess that it's something like plastic bits in the steering column assembly rubbing slightly or the universal joint in the steering column (that permits the wheel to tilt) making noise or something similar. If that's the case, it may be a bit tricky to track down the exact source, but it's probably nothing to be concerned about in terms of the car's operation.

I had a car with a slightly squeaky steering column once. Many other things wore out on that car eventually, but the steering never gave any actual trouble at all.

If the noise is from the wheels and axles and such when the car isn't directed straight ahead, obviously this doesn't apply. One easy thing to check for is the plastic fender liners rubbing against the drive shaft etc. when the wheel is turned, perhaps because one is out of position or bent up a bit or something.

Nope. To tell you the truth, this sound is more evident when turning is "slower" or "softer"

What would be your suspicion if it were popping?

I was thinking you had a problem with the cv axles but since your sounds more like a rubbing/scrapping sound it could be plastic wheel shroud.

The creak could be sway bar end links. Ours got noisy at around 70K miles.

We got the Moog ones from Rock Auto. They have grease fittings...we give 'em a squirt every oil change.

I wrote up a DIY when I did it.




BTW, its good practice to turn the wheels only while rolling...(if possible). Less strain on the suspension bits that way.