Hi all, just wondering if anyone else is having this happen. It's my 03 cavy. and I believe my sway bay is causing all the noise. I hear it only at low speed, 30k and under and only when turning (both forward and reverse). Sounds like the coil springs are getting a single hit with a mallet. It almost sounds like a big "tuning fork". Could my bushings holding the sway bar be worn? I got 107k on the car but it's been doing this since 90k. Also is this problem something that needs attention? I welcome your comments.
Jason



Driving a busted-up 03 cavy (damn black ice 3yrs ago!!)
Got a front bumper last year, just too lazy to paint it, and put it on

My (Original)90 Z24 is now being retired
Way too much rust Maybe it will become a V8 or something very wrong (4x4)

Picked up another 90 z24 from the west coast no rust!
But a rod bearing is spun. I got a motor, just need time!

Man do I ever miss my 3.1 V6

It sounds like your strut mount plates are seized.

There is a bearing in the plate that your strut/spring assembly mounts to that turns when the wheel turns. If it's seized, it could be binding as the strut/spring assembly tries to turn. This would make the bottom of the spring rotate with the wheels, but the top doesn't because it's seized up. After a certain amount of tension or time, the plate would probably either let go, or the spring could jump around on the plate.

I'd say it's a little early for an '03 to be doing this, but I guess it's '05 now and you probably bought that '03 in 2002, so that's about right. J-Body Strut mount plates are CRAP.







Club Vantage :: importfighter.ca :: RIP Trux0r...

i have a 03 cav front bumper and the RKSport front lip for sale if interested

shoot me an email or PM if interested





Fred Ohlson "The people that devised this cruel attempt
at acceptance and fame burn in there honda civics"

same problem with my car

could be the sway bar brackets out of spec ($2 each)

happens only when making a left turn ?


or the bearing plates. is this p/n 89047655 ?

have the same problem with my cav right now. its getting as annoying as the getrag tranny noise.

14.82 @ 97 mph

Thanks for the input guys. Sorry for taking so long to answer, been very busy. How would I go about seeing if the plate is actually seized up? If it is the strut plates do you know if it will cause any MAJOR damage? Or can I let them be till I replace the struts?

Thank, Jason





Driving a busted-up 03 cavy (damn black ice 3yrs ago!!)
Got a front bumper last year, just too lazy to paint it, and put it on

My (Original)90 Z24 is now being retired
Way too much rust Maybe it will become a V8 or something very wrong (4x4)

Picked up another 90 z24 from the west coast no rust!
But a rod bearing is spun. I got a motor, just need time!

Man do I ever miss my 3.1 V6

if the strut plates are seized you will probably notice increased effort to turn the steering wheel. pull the strut off the car and look for rust. i did my sway bar and bearing plates at the same time and the front end noises are gone.


if it makes a snapping noise at low speed without always turning the wheel it can be the sway bar D ends ($2 each as said. drop subframe, replace.) on mine the rubber bushings were worn too ($25 each from the stealership)


14.82 @ 97 mph

Thats just it it's not any harder steering. I only hear it at low speeds 30k and under and only when making a 90 deg. turn. ie turning onto my street and driving in/out and back in/out of my drive way. And again it sounds like someone is hitting the sway bar or something with a chunk of wood. All this started at around 90k, I now have 120k+ on the car so tell me what you think.

Is it just me or is the only good this about these Cavaliers the 2.2 ecotec and the 5spd getrag.

Jason




Driving a busted-up 03 cavy (damn black ice 3yrs ago!!)
Got a front bumper last year, just too lazy to paint it, and put it on

My (Original)90 Z24 is now being retired
Way too much rust Maybe it will become a V8 or something very wrong (4x4)

Picked up another 90 z24 from the west coast no rust!
But a rod bearing is spun. I got a motor, just need time!

Man do I ever miss my 3.1 V6