clunking noise

[jzw]

I have a 2004 pilot. The car started developing a clunking noise from the driver side. I can feel the move in the steering wheel too. It is most noticeable at low speed going over uneven surface when the left wheel traveled up and down. My machenic replaced the left side strut and sway bar link. But the issue is still there. He has no idea what is wrong now. I suspected tie rod. He said it looked ok. It is basically a low clunking noise and most of time when I heard it, I could feel it a bit in the steering wheel. On the hightway, it is not that noticeable I guess due to the road noise and fast move in the wheels. At low speed going over a bump when the wheel traveling down is the most noticeable. What could go wrong?

btw, I was charged $150 for a Monroe Reflex strut. The steering wheel is off center now. I need to get the right side changed too and an alignment. Now I am looking at ~600 to get struts and sway link bars replaced without fixing the issue. I wonder if it wasn't needed to get the strut replaced. Car has over 90k miles. Maybe I will just treat it as a preventative measure. But changing it and not fixing the problem isn't a good thing

[ptsmh73]

Sounds like a CV joint is beginning to show signs of wear.

[rocky]

You should always replace struts and shocks in pairs. Doing one only is just plain wrong.

Alignments are also necessary post strut replacement.

I am thinking that its also necessary to replace the top mount of the strut.

[belundy]

Pilots suffer from a number of front suspension maladies that make clunking/knocking noise, including inner tie rod ends, sway link, sway bar bushing, upper strut mount and in older Pilots, lower control arm bushings.

The inner tie rod end is easily missed; unless they pull the rack boot back and feel the joint a mechanic may not detect the play.

[jzw]

hi there, thanks all for the input. I am going back this saturday to have the other strut and sway bar link changed... I found the same strut on amazon for only $60 vs. $150 I paid last time. Anyways, my mechanic will check the clunking noise again. I will mention what you guys said about it.

[Westro]

I also have 2004 Pilot and have about the same noise. I believe it is the sway bar bushings and are in the process of changing them now.

[halljk]

I have a 04 pilot that also has this noise. I replaced both struts and bought the mounting kits as well. This job wasnt very much fun. After reassembling and then road testing the noise was not gone. When i returned the spring compressor i bought two moog strut links and install both fairley quick. However I still hear some noise from both sides but it is not the same as before. Could it be the OUTER tie rods? Mileage is at 112700

[mobro]

Does the lower control arm bushing contain some kind of fluid? When my vehicle is lifted up alowing the front wheels "to hang" - black oily fluid drips out of bushing. (see picture). Maybe some kind of hydralic dampner or something?

I've been having vibration at highway speeds, I figured it was due to new tires just installed. But after 3 trips to get them re-balanced at Sam's I'm beginning to wonder if it is related to this bushing. It is a 2009 Touring 2WD with 76k miles. Had a pulse when I would brake too, had the rotors turned, but only helped slightly. Any ideas about how to tell if the bushing should be replaced? and/or could this be related to the vibration?

[mobro]

Update - I talked to a mechanic who said that they do contain fluid, and if it is leaking they need to be replaced. He said he had done about 10 sets of these in the past 6 months.
He also said Honda knows there is an issue with them going bad because they updated the style of the part. they only do that when they know they screwed up.