since I noticed Lager was back I thought I might post this

Ever since late last summer my '02 LX 4cyl has been making a funny metal-on-metal sounding squeak/squeal noise coming from the front left wheel area. The noise would only occur when I turning WHILE going up steep driveways or big speed bumps (when the front suspension is under more load). This all started right after we had about 1 straight week of rain...

When I came back from college, I took it in to the Honda dealer. On the way up there, I was able to reproduce the noise going over a bunch of speed bumps while turning slightly. I picked up the service manager and took her for a test drive, and the noise stopped altogether I left the car there and they took for another test drive, and they were unable to reproduce the noise. They visually inspected the front suspension and couldn't find anything wrong. They suggested it could have been my 18" wheels rubbing, but they didn't know for sure since they couldn't reproduce the noise.

Both me and service manager agreed that I should bring it back if the noise gets worse and more noticeable, so they can fix it. The noise is still there, and happens a few times a day...

Later on that night I destroyed 2 of my 18" wheels (no damage to car), so I'm now rolling on the original 15" wheels+tires that came with the car. The noise is even more noticeable with the quieter tires...

Now that I think of it, it only seems to happen after about 10-15 minutes of driving, which is about the same amount of time it takes for me to get from work to home, where I make a right turn up a steep driveway. I'd say in a given day, it'll happen 2-3 times.

I don't feel anything when the noise occurs, neither do I feel a difference in steering or anything else. It's just a weird noise...

EDIT: BTW, during that same timeframe last summer, my brakes became really mushy. It got worse when I started autocrossing a month later (well after the noise started!), so I flushed out all of the old fluid. The brakes feel fine now...

 

bump!

 

ouch, u messed up ur wheels.
no clue bout the noise either.

 

If I had to guess. I would say its your control arm getting caught on the car. My car does that but not sure if its the same problem.

 

what would cause that? would it be the upper control arm? what should I look for next time I take off the wheel?

Keep in mind that this all is not related to damaging 2 wheels+tires on the right side of the car 7 months after the squeak problem started. Now, with stock tires it's more noticeable since they're quieter...

 

Hmm..well causing it would be your car being lowered. If your car is not lowered I have no idea. But if it is you would look at the dust collector thing in the wheelwell. Under that should be a little metal lip. That your control arm would be hitting going up and down. You would want to look at your control arm to see if its been scratched or not.

Another problem that I had with my car had a bent tie-rod arm that caused my wheel to be pushed towards my door about 2-3 inches. And everytime I turned and braked it would make a nasty sound.

Good luck.

 

yeah, my suspension is stock...

now the "dust collector" that you're referring to is the dust boot? and the control arm is the top most control arm?

 

interesting... stock suspension and you hear rubbing sounds. i do RARELY, but i know it's cuz of my control arm pushed out by the camber... as for you.... check the tie rods? cuz if you hear it when you turn, it could be with the steering stuff. best is to take off your wheels and look at it and check the boots and bushings.

 

bump for all to see!

 

I had the same problem and drove around with it for a while before I had it checked out. My mechanic told me that the ball joints were bad, and that they had to be replaced. Since then I haven't had the same problem that you are describing. I think it cost me $350 to get all upper and lower joints on both sides replaced. Good luck!