Hey everybody, I've been lurking on this site for a while now and have learned a ton about my car from ya'll.

I've had my fit for almost 2 1/2 years and love it more and more especially the more dough I drop on the suspension and the things that make it louder if not exactly faster...

So the other day I noticed a clunking noise coming from the driver side wheel area everytime I hit a bump. I'm pretty sure this means I need a new shock? It makes the noise if I push down with my body weight while parked.

Could it be something else? If so dangerous to drive?

If I have to replace the shock I would like to upgrade the suspension rather than keep it at stock specks.
Anybody got any recommendations for what would be a reasonably priced option that would still boost performance and last for a while? (Coilovers? stock/aftermarket w swifts?...)

I got just over 40k on my car, which feels a little premature to me to be replacing this, but the roads in the N. East suck in the winter. At least its an excuse to upgrade...

Thanks!

 

check your sway bar links

 

Thanks man. What do you think I should be looking for? Loose or broken? Will it be obvious if it is? I'm kinda new to wrenching on my car.

 

Sway bar links checked, and nothing looks off. Also, the shock seems fine as well.

Seems like the clunking is coming form the top of the assembly.

Any other ideas?

 

Is the top bolt tightened all the way? This is often an issue especially if you've had tightened it by hand

 

Clunking noise, a few things come to mind. Loose bolt: sway bar end, tie rod ball joint bolt, etc. Worn bushing is possible. Worn ball joint is also possible. Throw it up on a jack and wiggle the wheel to see if you can cause the noise and locate it. If wiggling doesnt work, lower it closer to the ground, put a pipe under the tire, and pry up on the pipe to try and replicate the noise. Visual inspection many find it on its own. probably not the shock itself. Standard shock test is to push the vehicle down, release, and see how many times it bounces. Good shocks will only bounce once. Most worn shocks dont make any noises until they are SEVERELY worn. By that time you would have noticed some drivability issues.

 

First off, thanks for the responses and ideas guys.

Thankfully no drivability issues. As far as I can tell from taking off the wheel and visually examining the bushings everything seems tight and in reasonably good condition.

The only way I could duplicate the sound is by driving it or pushing my weight directly down on the fender directly above the shock. I checked out the nut on the top of the shock while doing this and couldn't see any motion, although thats where it sounds like its coming from.

I would prefer to fix this myself and actually develop some more knowledge and skills, but my time and tools are limited right now.

If I bring it in to the dealer you think they'll blame whatever it is on my progress RSB?

 

If its coming from the front they cannot associate a Rear Sway Bar to possible damages/problems.

Just check all the bolts and make sure everything is tightened.

 

here is what i want ya to do: disconnect the sway bar link from the strut and zip tie it out of the way than go for a drive. my money is on sway bar links. we replace alot of them on accords/pilots etc. . . your going to need a 14mm ratcheting wrench and a hex socket on a breaker bar to hold the link from spinning while you take the nut off. so either way, if you disconnect it and drive and the noise is gone, you know its the link. just a question, is your car all stock?

 

Alright cool. I try to do the sway bar link tomorrow. If that doesn't fix it I will also double check the tightness on everything else. Really am not looking forward to dealing with the cowl removal to get to the top of the shock, so looks like I'm picking up some new wrenches. I was looking for an excuse to splurge on more tools.

I have some mods, but only the progress rear sway bar as far as suspension goes. Other than that I have a K&N intake, T1racing short shift, and a Megan axleback should be arriving tomorrow.

 

You sir were correct! Did as you asked sound is gone. I guess I didn't look closely enough. Replacing the link and bushings as soon as they arrive. Thanks man.

 

Cowl removal is not that bad--don't be scared. Just take your time.

 

no problem, glad i could help