Clunky suspension in '99 (bad ball joints?)

[Rocky77]

I am babysitting my parent's '99 CR-V - its got 190 000 km and has been maintained very well. Problem is that it clunks (loudly!) over the slightest bump or road imperfection. At low speeds it's all you hear. Embarassing and unnerving.

The car still handles well though - cornering and braking are OK. Tracks decently, too.

My last two vehicles were a '77 Firebird and an '82 Malibu so I haven't spent much time with a Honda lately... do my ball joints need replacing or are there more bits underneath that could be causing this? Those cars had body mounts with same godawful metal on metal sound when they were shot.

Don't know much about the ins and outs of CR-V ownership and at what point critical stuff starts to fall off. This car has never had any major service. Any help is appreciated.

[RCBuck]

A guy I work with had the same problem with a 99 he just bought. The rear struts were bad. Swapped them out and the noise went away.

[Rocky77]

Thanks for the tip. The noise seems to be more in the front end, though.
Will have a look at the rears struts.

[2RedV's]

A more common age-related issue is the front stabilizer links. The bushings get worn out. They are quite cheap. They are also very difficult to diagnose as you will not be able to wiggle them by hand. If it makes a clunk noise while going over unequal bumbs (one wheel hits the bump, the other doesn't) it will most likely be the culprit. Don't just go out and buy struts. Does the car bounce up and down? Has the handling gone caput?

[Rocky77]

Hey - that sounds more like it. The handling is still good, no excessive lean or sway. But minor road imperfections make the car rattle and clunk like crazy.

[2RedV's]

Here's something else to check. Open the hood and (while engine is cold) grad the radiator and shake it fore and aft. If it clunks, the upper radiator support bushings may be bad. They are about $6 for a pair at the dealer and take about 3 minutes to replace. Mine were very visibly worn when I replaced them.

[Rocky77]

Front and rear stabilizer mounts replaced. Clunks are gone. Quiet for a vehicle that's 8 years old!

[2RedV's]

Cool. My 99 is now at 134k miles and quiet as mouse over any type of bump until you hear my perfectly adjusted valves clicking like a sewing machine...

A quiet 1st gen engine is a time bomb waiting for a new head. A proper 1st gen at idle should have little sewing machine sounds.....

[ltbplayer]

A more common age-related issue is the front stabilizer links. The bushings get worn out. They are quite cheap. They are also very difficult to diagnose as you will not be able to wiggle them by hand. If it makes a clunk noise while going over unequal bumbs (one wheel hits the bump, the other doesn't) it will most likely be the culprit. Don't just go out and buy struts. Does the car bounce up and down? Has the handling gone caput?

Where are the links located?

[ltbplayer]

I replaced inner and outer tie rods yesterday and they didn;'t remedy this same noise. I'm on to strut mounts next as you suggested. Any source for the parts?

[2RedV's]

I replaced inner and outer tie rods yesterday and they didn;'t remedy this same noise. I'm on to strut mounts next as you suggested. Any source for the parts?Front ones are part number 4 in this illustration:

http://slhondaparts.com/images/PCI/13S100/010/1.jpg
.

[ltbplayer]

Front stabilizer links are not the same as strut mounts, correct? I'm going to replace stabilizer linkage first to see if clunk goes away.

[2RedV's]

Front stabilizer links are not the same as strut mounts, correct? I'm going to replace stabilizer linkage first to see if clunk goes away.No, different parts altogether. Have you tried bouncing the car up and down while it is parked and turned off to see if you can locate where the noise is coming from? Don't just run around replacing parts and guessing unless money isn't an issue for you.

[ltbplayer]

No, different parts altogether. Have you tried bouncing the car up and down while it is parked and turned off to see if you can locate where the noise is coming from? Don't just run around replacing parts and guessing unless money isn't an issue for you.
Where can I get these parts?

[2RedV's]

Where can I get these parts?I have aftermarket ones on the front on my 99 and replacement OEM Honda ones on the back. The aftermarket ones are just fine and nearly 1/2 the price.

Search eBay for crv links sway or crv end links or similar. I just did. You will get the right ones.

[bshort34]

A more common age-related issue is the front stabilizer links. The bushings get worn out. They are quite cheap. They are also very difficult to diagnose as you will not be able to wiggle them by hand. If it makes a clunk noise while going over unequal bumbs (one wheel hits the bump, the other doesn't) it will most likely be the culprit. Don't just go out and buy struts. Does the car bounce up and down? Has the handling gone caput?

I believe I have this same issue and the front stabilizer link bushings appear to be bad...Any tips or links on how to replace them?