[alikidwhy]

Prelude

2019:

I bought a pre-owned Honda City 2013 V-MT Sunroof for my personal use.
The car has covered 8,000km with me since I purchased it in April 2019. She sees a low mileage as is mostly driven within the city with the occasional (once a year) trip to Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh.

The car’s suspension makes a weird sound at low speeds that no mechanic can quite diagnose and it triggered my OCD ever since the purchase and the first thing I did was to take her to our Mechanic who has worked on our previous cars and dad’s current but I’m not too fond of his work.

Work done;

April 2019

Basic Service done

In July of 2019, I was tired of the slight khat khat sound from the right side of the suspension when driven be it on smooth roads or potholed. The sound becomes fainter as the speed increases but remains until about 100km/h.

I tried to drown the noise by increasing the volume of the songs but I could still hear it.

Both the front shockers were replaced along with the mounting. (Gabriel Make)
Tie rod I think was replaced
Ball joint (some steering thing that has a rubber center and balls at the end) was tightened or something because the mechanic said it has developed play and is looser than should be.
Discs were skimmed
Brake pads were replaced (Bosch)



Problem

The noise from the right side persisted so this smart guy took the car for another spin and tried to see the issue from the right side but couldn’t so I took the car back and waved him and never went back.

Took the car to Honda, Okhla and the mechanic said the Shockers and mounting are to be replaced.

Told him they were already replaced and he said it’s the link rod.

Left Honda and came to a workshop (the guy is knowledgeable about cars and is good at his work) and he has carried out a lot of work ranging from fog lamp change to mirror repair and replacement and painting.

The mechanic Imran, is now my trusted go to for anything car related and he suggested link rod and ‘chimta’ but I haven’t gotten around to getting that done.

The problem is that there’s another sound from the suspension when it’s cold outside and makes an annoying sound when going over speed breakers or in potholes. Video attached.

https://youtu.be/cS35rsNd0RA

My current mechanic said the shockers have become hard but I fail to understand how that can happen with new shocks (the sound used to come during last winters as well).

A few other queries

1. There are lights installed in the front footwell (LED strip) but are wired someway that when the car is unlocked, they come on and then when the ignition is switched on, go off. They also stay on when the car is switched off until the car is locked again. If I wish to get this changed with other strips that come with a remote, how do I see where the wiring is gone?

2. Front LHS and Rear RHS Speakers are not functioning so what are my options because I feel like it might just be a connection issue but the whole door will have to be stripped apart.

3. The mirror adjustment is weird; The mirrors are not able to adjust fully and the right hand side mirror moves up simultaneously when I try to move right and down when moved left and same with left. The issue is said to be the switch for the right one and cable issue for the left one. Is the diagnosis correct?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[--gKrish--]

The khat khat type noise could be from the link rods. It is quite easy to check them. Push the movable joint end of the link rod with your hand and see if it stays that way. If it returns back immediately, then it is shot.

Was the creaking noise (towards the end of the video) present in the previous pair of shock absorbers? To me, it sounds like the suspension top mounts or something scraping the road like the mudflaps.

There are lights installed in the front footwell...how do I see where the wiring is gone

Seems like they're wired to the cabin lamps. They are activated in the exact fashion when set to the 'door' mode.

[alikidwhy]

Originally Posted by --gKrish--

The khat khat type noise could be from the link rods. It is quite easy to check them. Push the movable joint end of the link rod with your hand and see if it stays that way. If it returns back immediately, then it is shot.

I’ll check the same, thank you for your suggestion.

Was the creaking noise (towards the end of the video) present in the previous pair of shock absorbers? To me, it sounds like the suspension top mounts or something scraping the road like the mudflaps.

It only happens during the winters and I never got the chance to drive the old ones during the cold. They were very hard though, when replaced.

Even I think it’s something else but only happens when it’s extremely cold but okay otherwise.

Seems like they're wired to the cabin lamps. They are activated in the exact fashion when set to the 'door' mode.

Should I get it changed or is it okay; because I don’t want it to drain the battery.

[sagarpadaki]

Was the link rod replaced? If not get that replaced as well.

Chimta means lower arm?

PS - Gabriel is not so great in shock absorbers. They are budget quality and do not last long. Monroe is better and closer to OEM quality.

[tazmaan]

The Khat Kaht sound from right suspension could also be brake calipers. Even though you have changed the pads the calipers (pistons that push the brake pads) wear out and become thinner in diameter. It works perfectly but rattles which sounds like mild tablas (Music Instrument) playing.

You can check it on rough patch of road by just touching the brakes while moving, if the sound goes aways when the brake is pressed its most probably the calipers.

I know people who have changed the whole suspension for that noise .

[ChoosetoCruze]

Originally Posted by alikidwhy

It only happens during the winters and I never got the chance to drive the old ones during the cold..

If you’re willing, try this hack first, before you change (by guessing) any expensive parts -

https://youtu.be/5FGPbSafSpI

For the noise in your video, if it clunks when going over bumps/potholes, it may be the lower control arm rubber bushings which are starting to wear (especially if they are the original ones from the factory). Cold makes the rubber stiff & not pliable & as a result doesn’t dampen out the metal to metal contact. Once they get badly worn & crack, they will clunk always, when you encounter potholes, no matter cold or hot.

The AT-205 from the video will effectively tell you which rubber suspension part is indeed the culprit. (By the process of elimination, if it is indeed a rubber part at fault).

The persistent noise which you mention, it could be the stabiliser bars, however, any mechanic worth his salt will load test the various suspension components & pinpoint the worn part first, before changing it. Randomly guessing & throwing new parts at a noise is a good way to quickly empty out your wallet. (Just like Tazmaan mentioned above).

The next time you need to buy shocks/struts, buy Kayaba(KYB) Excel-G gas struts. They are made in Japan, are extremely well built & will probably last the remainder of your car’s life.

[kunalsingh]

Originally Posted by alikidwhy

The problem is that there’s another sound from the suspension when it’s cold outside and makes an annoying sound when going over speed breakers or in potholes. Video attached.

https://Youtu.be/cS35rsNd0RA

My current mechanic said the shockers have become hard but I fail to understand how that can happen with new shocks (the sound used to come during last winters as well).

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Welcome to the world of Creaky Honda City's! I'm an owner of a 2009 City myself (the pre-facelift model) and have had some experience in diagnosing and solving the issue of suspension noise in my car.

First of all, with regards to the creaking sound (from the video) heard during winters/cold starts - it's from the suspension spring(s). This is a known problem in older cars and especially so with Hondas. It is most noticeable early in the morning (after being parked overnight) or when you set off after long-ish periods in colder temperatures. This noise goes away after 20-30 mins of driving and should not be a cause of worry (even though it sounds really horrible and people nearby think that you have broken something in the car).

I myself did a complete front suspension overhaul in my car and wrote about it in this thread. Link : https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/techn...ml#post4921189 (Hondu: Restoring my 3rd-gen '09 Honda City)

Even after the overhaul, I still get a sound from my suspension (khat khat/dambroo kind of sound) and I've realised it's due to the steering rack. This is a known issue in Honda citys and the only solution is to get the rack repaired at a lathe shop (last around 10-20,000 kms) or have the whole steering assembly changed (but this is quite expensive, costs approximately 20-30k rupees and is probably not worth the effort if the noise isn't excessive).

With regards to the other noises, I would suggest you to get the link rods changed (these wear out pre-maturely, again a known problem with Hondas) and have the lower arm (which is called "chimta" by mechanics) bushing examined thoroughly before changing it with a new one. The lower arm has bushings at both ends and while one can be checked by just removing the tire, the other an be checked for play by pushing up and down.

Also attaching the YouTube link to the suspension overhaul done on my car. The video also shows how to check for the condition of the components (this could help you with future diagnosis). I hope this helps!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxoZ...ture=emb_title

[GTO]

We have an amazing thread on our homepage today, thanks to BHPian Gopa99 - removing suspension noise (DIY: Sway bar link rod - Guide to fixing that rickety noise from the front suspension).

[alikidwhy]

Originally Posted by sagarpadaki

Was the link rod replaced?
Chimta means lower arm?
PS - Gabriel is not so great...

Thank you for your reply, link rod was not replaced as far as I remember so will get that done.
Regarding the shock absorbers, Batra Spares which is quite a big spare parts vendor vouched for Gabriel so I figured they must be good, thank you for letting me know about their quality.

Originally Posted by tazmaan

The Khat Kaht sound from right suspension could also be brake calipers. Even though you have changed the pads the calipers (pistons that push the brake pads) wear out and become thinner in diameter. It works perfectly but rattles which sounds like mild tablas (Music Instrument) playing.

I will check and get back. Also, the break pads still make a sound sometimes even though they were changed with Bosch ones, should I change that as well?

I know people who have changed the whole suspension for that noise .

I have changed nearly most of the suspension for the same reason.

Originally Posted by ChoosetoCruze

If you’re willing, try this hack first, before you change (by guessing) any expensive parts - https://Youtu.be/5FGPbSafSpI

Where do I get hold of this?

For the noise in your video, if it clunks when going over bumps/potholes, it may be the lower control arm rubber bushings which are starting to wear.

Is this what mechanics call ‘chimta’? And it currently only makes this creaking sound during the cold and goes away after a drive.

Randomly guessing & throwing new parts at a noise is a good way to quickly empty out your wallet. (Just like Tazmaan mentioned above).

The next time you need to buy shocks/struts, buy Kayaba(KYB) Excel-G gas struts. They are made in Japan, are extremely well built & will probably last the remainder of your car’s life.

I still regret taking my car to our old mechanic, lesson learnt.
I will keep this in mind, hopefully will not have to do so soon.

Originally Posted by kunalsingh

Welcome to the world of Creaky Honda City's! I'm an owner of a 2009 City myself (the pre-facelift model) and have had some experience in diagnosing and solving the issue of suspension noise in my car.

I hoped mine was a one off case and would go away

This is a known problem in older cars and especially so with Hondas. It is most noticeable early in the morning (after being parked overnight) or when you set off after long-ish periods in colder temperatures. This noise goes away after 20-30 mins of driving and should not be a cause of worry (even though it sounds really horrible and people nearby think that you have broken something in the car).

I couldn’t agree more, the sound is so harsh that my heart sinks.

I myself did a complete front suspension overhaul in my car and wrote about it in this thread.

I have been following your thread and think of getting a some parts repainted at GAI (thanks to your thread) but it’s just so far away. Also your car looks factory new after the repaint.

Even after the overhaul, I still get a sound from my suspension (khat khat/dambroo kind of sound) and I've realised it's due to the steering rack.

I thought they fixed the steering rack issue with the 2012 facelift? I hope it’s not the steering rack.

With regards to the other noises, I would suggest you to get the link rods changed (these wear out pre-maturely, again a known problem with Hondas) and have the lower arm (which is called "chimta" by mechanics) bushing examined thoroughly before changing it with a new one. The lower arm has bushings at both ends and while one can be checked by just removing the tire, the other an be checked for play by pushing up and down.

Will get this checked as well, thank you.

Originally Posted by GTO

We have an amazing thread on our homepage today, thanks to BHPian Gopa99 - removing suspension noise (DIY: Sway bar link rod - Guide to fixing that rickety noise from the front suspension).

I checked the thread but posting so many issues would mean hijacking the thread so posted a new one, kindly merge if necessary.

[ChoosetoCruze]

Originally Posted by alikidwhy

The break pads still make a sound sometimes even though they were changed with Bosch ones, should I change that as well?

Where do I get hold of this?

Is this what mechanics call ‘chimta’? And it currently only makes this creaking sound during the cold and goes away after a drive.

Did they install new brake hardware when they changed the pads & did they grease the outer edges? Or do you mean your brakes squeal when you brake? Again, in future, try to buy Akebono brake pads as they are extremely silent with factory rotors & last really long.

AT205 - https://www.amazon.in/Automotive-At-.../dp/B000NVW1LM

Sure sounds like the rubber bushings in your lower control arms. I googled the word ‘chimta’ - it’s control arm, indeed. This is typical in the Jazz/City - https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/2nd-...when-cold.html

Try the AT205 hack & see if the sound disappears. If it does, just keep doing that before every winter. When the bushing does finally crack completely, you’ll hear the metallic clunk when you hit any pothole, no matter the weather.

[R_Gowardhan]

Try to get the Steering Rack checked by a trusted FNG. As per your post, everything else has been replaced. Faced similar issue with my Jazz and as per the Honda ASS this is a common problem with the City (2008-13) & Jazz (2009-13). My FNG mechanic concurred with the ASS statement. While the ASS gave a steep estimate (INR 70-80K if I remember clearly) without even opening the mechanicals and said the Power Steering Box may have to be changed as well. In the next breath he mentioned that the costs could substantially be lowered if I take the extended Warranty.

I checked with my FNG and he said that there is no need for replacing the entire part as it is a recurring problem with the Hondas and will come back to haunt me after 8-10K Kms. He suggested getting the part serviced & repaired. Agreed to do so and sure enough the problem was solved for >INR 3k. The FNG warned that the issue will surface after 5-7K Kms and it surely did. Repeated the same job for the same cost and going smooth so far.

[ankitmahajan]

I need the suspension of my Honda City 2015 checked. I hear a creaking sound from rear when the car moves over bumps/breakers. The Honda ASS straight away recommend a full suspension change with a quote of 70K. But I'm not sure if it could be just the springs or shockers.
Can anyone recommend good service centres that can diagnose, tell me the real problem and offer a genuine solution without trying to oversell?

I'm in Parel, Mumbai. But willing to travel the distance if needed for a good service centre.
Would be really grateful for any suggestions.

Ankit