Hi everyone. my Honda City TMO (2010) has been making creaking sounds at the front ('nyek -nyek'...like old spring bed ) when going over uneven surface / the slightest bumps. I took the car to Honda SC a few weeks back when the sound was not so obvious, and they said it was the STABILIZER BAR BUSH. I have since tried to google this and found that worn out stabilizer bush will result in clunking or knocking sound and not creaking.
I have an appointment to replace the stabilizer bar bush in a few days @ RM120+, but i am not confident it will solve the problem. The SC did say that my front absorbers need to be changed as well since its almost 9 years old. But again, according my Google searches, bad shocks don't creak - they only leak, go dead, etc. (Do correct me if i am wrong). My priority is getting rid of the sound since the ride doesn't seem harsh to me esp since the car is mostly used for short trips.

There is no sound when turning the steering. No other problems with car ride or handling. Everything in the car is stock. Im guessing it is something to do with the coil spring mounting

Really appreciate if those who have faced this problem could share their experience and how it was resolved. Thanks a lot

This post has been edited by Swivlev: Aug 6 2019, 06:51 PM

are you a student?

since only RM120, just change it first

no need headache troubleshooting

Buy at205 spray on rubber parts
Absorber mounting should be the part making noise when you hit bumps

Did uncle google didnt tell you to get a 2nd opinion at a different workshop?

Double post

This post has been edited by ihavenoidea: Aug 4 2019, 10:24 AM

After 9 years, almost all parts of the suspension system needs replacement if you want the new car feel.

Stabilizer bar/anti roll bar bushing worn out usually cause knocking, not squeek.

9 years old car and haven't change absorber before
it's time lah

squeaking is indicating that your absorber needed replacement already

Not really.
If the rubber parts doesn't collapse or crack no need to change. If change all rubber parts need like 2-3k.

There's a chemical called at205 to rejuvenate rubber. Spray some test n see sound can go away. If not only go change the part. And not necessarily change the correct part as mechanic just guess which part to change only

My suspension also got sound when hit bumps, after spray no more sound. I prayed onto absorber mounts

Squeaking is the absorber mount.
Not absorber.

If absorber the whole car will oscillate up down excessively after hitting bump

Most likely sound comes from this part.
You can try spray wd40 see sound goes away.

If yes then can buy at205 later to apply

This post has been edited by AllnGap: Aug 4 2019, 10:30 AM


Attached thumbnail(s)

Sorry, i don't subscribe to your approach. All the same, thanks for your input.

Thanks for ur insightful comments.

Thanks for your view

i have the same problem but at the rear. let me know once you get rid of it....tia

driving the same honda city and got the same sound when going over bumps, at the front.

tell me when u solved it.

Hi AllnGap,

Thanks for reading my post, understanding my question and offering solutions. This can sometimes be a rare commodity on this forum.

I am leaning towards the mounts, bushing or coil spring insulator/seat as the culprits. I will look up the product u mentioned..thanks a lot.

In the meantime, i still hope someone who has first hand experience with this problem could weigh in and help zero-in on the problem.

Cheers

In this /k alone, ive seen a lot honda prob here n there been discuss

Luls

But still so many support it

did u take ur car to a workshop ? I suggest u do that and we can compare findings

To be fair we do not know what kind of abuse the car went through. Another thing is quality of parts may be of another factor why the car creaks over duration of time.

Be fair 10 years is really a long time for rubber/ silicone/ PU parts to be in service.

Spraying oils/ chemicals is only a stop gap measure. Replacing is the only way to go. You have to remember crushed /worn with material loss/ cracked parts cannot be rejuvenated with any chemicals.

I am driving a 10 year old Myvi and a 43 year old Corolla. So i do know what kind of acceptable damage and wear level either car has with the age and driving that goes into it. Your 10 year old Honda would have same wear level on suspension as my Myvi. The myvi has creaking sound at the back when braking. And rattly under carriage when driving on bad roads. All are due to worn bushings that needs to be changed. I have sprayed WD silicone on these joints and it is only good for about a few weeks if it was not raining. I wish i have time to mount an action cam to the under carriage to prove my point. But get the car on a lift and manually shaking the suspension & control arms confirms the worn parts for play and creaks.

If you are still not happy that anyone can prove that the worn parts that needs replacing, then buy a new car.

Tukak to used city 2015 sudeh

Around 50k or less can get already

The car has only done 90k on the road. Was always driven carefully and gently and parked in covered area. Everything on the car is original. Fully maintained at Honda SC till today.

I do understand that rubber degrades with time and im prepared to change whatever necessary. Just trying to avoid fixing things blindly. In my experience, once you start opening up and changing parts you start a chain reaction where 1 after the other, related components start to act up - i guess coz the equilibrium has been disturbed.

No need for anyone to prove anything la. Just share if you have faced simillar issues so that i can minimize fiddling with the car more than necessary.

Cheers

This post has been edited by Swivlev: Aug 4 2019, 11:26 AM

Got ju-on below. Don't look down when your hear it next time.

1 2 3 4

lower arm

Did you experience this yourself? I thought if lower arm it would have steering vibration, sound when turning steering. I don't experience any of this. Is it possible to just change out the bush of the arm and not the antire arm?

This post has been edited by Swivlev: Aug 4 2019, 11:53 AM

yes WD silicone can just last a few weeks, but at least you know that part is worn. rain water will wash away easily too
Problem has been identified to be that particular piece.

Mechs are just guessing anyway when it comes to this, tell you change lower arm, sound still there, stabilizer bushing all those change, later sound still there !!!!
it's all their guessing only. to be on safe side is of course change all.

the chemical i use is AT205, i've checked the compound itself, it will cause rubber to swell.
i put it into spray bottle. after 30min, spray bottle cant spray d, i think the rubber inside it swell and cause it to be inoperable.

what i wanna say is the problem is just that stupid sound, if it doesnt affect the handling or cause the whole car to sway, it's just the annoying sound problem.
Chemical wise WD40 is an excellent problem detector, while AT205 can cause the rubber to swell.
If the AT205 doesnt work, then treat it as preventive maintenance routine.
if it does work, then can save you a few hundred bucks.

I've seen in CX5 facebook groups that their suspension making creaking sound after 2years. if everytime got creak go change the whole part sure pokai wan. sometimes the rubber shrinks a bit, when it makes contact, it rubs against something making that creaking sound only

thanks, learned something today
gonna put some in my engine, hopefully it can stop the leak

It's most likely absorber mount (called struts)
that piece of rubber is attached to your car holding the absorber.
when you hit bumps, the rubber is compressed, thus making annoying sound.



see this picture, it's the black stuff on top of the absorber. that piece of thing shrink d

1. Absorber
2. Absorber mount
3. Drive shaft
4. Engine mount
5. Lower arm
6. 4 pcs Tayar change
7. Power steering oil change
8. Door rubber all change

9th option is best.. change car

Then will feel ok

That rubber part is called struts is it? Ok, will get mine checked. Tx

Time to buy a new car

Thjs. Mine got some sound due to absorber mount. Mechanic ask me to change absorber and mount. Almost 1k..

SC says it is that problem, if still have, then they have to be responsible and fix it without additional cost if their diagnostic is wrong. Write to Honda Malaysia to complain.

Did the sound go away after you changed the mount and absorber?

SC has quoted me RM1484 to change front absorbers (together with dust cover, bump stop and rubber comp - i think this is the rubber mounting)

DIY identify the source. Connect one end of a tube/hose near each component and the other end to your ear, listen while driving.

Or get silicone spray and spray each bushing one by one and test.

Absorber mounts can last a lot longer than 90K KM.

spray where ya ?
the hole in the centre ?

Yeah.. and from my vehicle records, i found that both sides were replaced in 2014!

Put hose near the part and hear while driving. I can't imagine how this can be done

This post has been edited by Swivlev: Aug 4 2019, 01:45 PM

Ya. Absorber is quite easy to identify
Sc quote me 3k for all

yes, open engine bay, see those strut mount on top of front wheel, spray those. (left and right side)
if those struts are compromised kawkaw, the moment you brake, you can feel your car twist (or unstable).




This post has been edited by AllnGap: Aug 4 2019, 01:52 PM

absorber hard to spoil, usually they will check for signs of oil leak.
if none then change the mounting will do.

you already kana parang when you change whole set where as it's the rubber mount making annoying noise

another name is absorber mounting.

usually mechanics will ask you to change whole set including absorber so warn you first.

ok ok. But ar i checked my records, 2014 aredi changed absorber mounting both sides wor.

Could it be any other part like the bottom part of the coil spring. I donno whether there oso got another rubber like on the top.

No choice. First time encounter this. And I did check online say absorber normally wear and tear too. So just change whole set

RM3k just for the pair of front absorbers?! Mind to share what else they changed together

This post has been edited by Swivlev: Aug 4 2019, 03:23 PM

Im driving civic just some sometimes i pass bunp, can feel creaking sound also let me knw if u able to solve it

already 5 years since you changed, rubber shrink a bit they rub against each other when hit bump can cause annoying noise.

spray some WD40 on it, let it flow down. if sound goes away then confirm come from that part.

If spray at-205 onto the mounting need to dilute the solution? Won’t get worse right?

Wonder if can also work for engine mountings or not?

This post has been edited by idoblu: Aug 4 2019, 03:41 PM

mind telling me where is the place that changes vushings for rm120? all the places ive checked quoted me rm300+

dont go official SC to change absorbers, they chop u thr kaw kaw wan, go outside n chnge it to 3rd party brands much cheaper, SC quote u 3k, but u go outside cn get it for 1 - 1.5k

for 9 yo car .. better get it fix outside if cost is your concern. stabilizer bush only cost few bucks per piece. few other possible cause is absorber mounting/absorber/lower arm. can check the price at sparepart shops / lazada / shopee to get an idea how much it cost. SC sure cut throat price ler.

why dont u open the hood n push down the front bumper. get someone to try to identify where the sound coming from.

No need to dilute. Just spray. If the piece or rubber is big piece then spray let it soak and re-spray.

But dont let it kena car body as it is not paint friendly.

It works on all rubber. It absorb into rubber make it swell. One thing you must understand is what's your rubber conditions. If it shrink then ok, but if crack d then it won't work.

I do use this as lubrication for lower arm rubber, CV boots, engine mounting, absorber mounting, for preventive maintenance method. (whatever rubber will fail at some point, even rubber seals inside engine, transmission will fail, thats why old car leak oil, cuz the rubber shrink, harden, crack d)



check out this thread
https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...70205&hl=at+205

This post has been edited by AllnGap: Aug 4 2019, 04:29 PM

PMed u

tyvm! you rock!

Watch min 4.14
Buy a "silicon lubricant" and spray at that area of the absorber, as shown in the video.

Mine city 2013. After spraying, the squeaks become less audible.
And to access the absorber, just turn steering wheel all the way left / right. No need to jack up car.

"Silicon lubricant" can get less than rm20, ace hardware, Mr DIY, etc.

This post has been edited by PaulReedSmooth: Aug 4 2019, 04:53 PM

No idea. It is from Sc. I think they change the whole set

Tx for the suggestion. It seems like a temporary fix though. Read quite a few reviews about how the sound came back a shortwhile after

Funny

When the absorber top mounting got noise, it means it is loose. Worn out. Not suppose to have movement.

Just change it.

Just tried to push down with the bonnet open, unfortunately couldn't reproduce the creaking sound

you know any mall selling it? tried searching it in ACE hardware can't find it.

ACe don't have. Shopee or Lazada only

UPDATE:

Just changed the stabilizer bar bushes at SC and the creaking is gone. It seems this is a common problem for this model City.

I was also STRONGLY ADVISED not to lubricate these bushes or absorber mount and othert parts tht were designed to function dry. It seems they have seen quite a few customers come after using AT205 and other simillar products, where the rubber part degrades terribly after some time and becomes useless. Some others had corrosion and surface damage on the metal parts and painted surface.

Just be careful and be warned if anyone thinking of trying that stuff out.

Wah. My 2 yr old civic has friction sound at drivers rear wheel. It is not hard knocking sound but it sounds like friction (sound like the bottom of your car hit high hump) when go through wide hump. Small hump no sound.

Are yours with the same sound? My Civic only managed to make appointment at Honda on Friday

No, mine was a ngeeek..ngeeek sound like opening a rusty gate.

How much is it? How many quantity did u change? Got photo of your old one?

this part visible or hidden inside?

RM122.15. It comes in a pair. Din take pic

Visible, just spray more let it flow. Open hood can see d. Go Google struts

It's a piece of rubber that holds absorber to body and cushion the absorber when hit bumps

cool but that spray rm88 per bottle

It's like that....plenty of rubber parts inside car.
When need to change those costs thousands.
So preventive maintenance don't wanna do will cost much more in the future

Will buy 1 when salary out thanks for the info appreciate it

Last time putting grease on rubber parts was part of preventive maintenance.
But all those have changed liao, that's why now everything spoil change, burn wallet kaokao

Be careful.

Read My above post.

Honda SC strongly recommends against using this product for stabilizer bush and absorber mount! After thinking about it i think there might be a safety issue as well. If something is designed to work dry (no grease oso) then if we lubricate it/spray stuff on it..it may cause a malfunction because of the slippery film on the surface. esp for moving parts and suspension. Don play-play and take the risk la.

may i know why you continue go to SC after warranty period over

peace of mind - less likely to get scammed for unecessary repairs, warranty for all work done, original parts assured, better waiting experience.

did you put lubricants on them without knowing you shouldnt? A price to pay for sure, glad you worked it out

No i did not. I'm just sharing the feedback i got from Honda SC when i told them about the AT205 spray recommended by Scotty. Seems it could be dangerous. Just hope everyone will be careful in trying stuff out, itu je.

This post has been edited by Swivlev: Aug 12 2019, 03:24 PM

Yeah, dry mechanical bushes that dont require any lubricants should just be left alone, they werent designed for lubes anyways

The creaking sound from these dry joints should be immediately checked for any wear and tear, most of the time the sound will go away after a few days, whilst lubrication might reduce or eliminate the sound, but it’ll just make the bushes degrade more over time

I had the same problem. Going over bumps or bumpy roads, you will hear that sound 'creaking'. This is due to the lower-arm joint. I guess your car went into a pool of water (or flood), then this problem start occurring.

To solve this, spray silicone lubricant on the lower arm joint (left & right). You will need to turn the streering full-left and full-right to access them. For me, I spray on 3 spots on each side of the car. No sound after that. Of course, you will need to re-spray the silicone lubricant every few months when the sound starts again.

This post has been edited by jex-koi: Feb 24 2020, 09:56 AM

any reason why the lower arm made noise after the car went into a pool of water, my car also had this noise, and if i remember correctly, it only happened after i went through a water on a heavy rain day.

buy new car ....what use 9 years car

This post has been edited by mousqy: Jun 1 2022, 08:46 AM

Mine have that “krakk” sounds when going over bump and rattling on uneven road?
Could it be stabiliser bar bush too?

Most likely not.
if stabilizer bush the sound is squeaking sound.

have u changed it?

Just put grease that compatible with rubber.

If me, I use used engine oil to sapu only. Let it soaked.

OK also, FOC

Honda? Maybe the steering rack... Try turning your steering wheel left and right, if got a knocking sound.... well prepare your wallet.

Also, might be an issue with absorber bearings, stabilizer bush, or absorber link...

FYI, the lower arm, and stabilizer bush are easy to verify. Just fully turn your steering wheel and use your phone to take a picture to check for cracks.

Looks good right? I suspect my shocks now.
Was wondering should I go back to sc to check.
Or any recommended workshop?

best way is to go to tyre shop and ask them to check

Gonna agree with mingyuyu... the best way is to go tyre shop and check if you are not sure. Because even though there are no signs of cracks, the inner part might be bad.

Also, if your car is still under warranty (Honda 5 Years - engine, gearbox & steering rack etc. | 3 Years - Break, Suspension etc). Yes, it would be best if you go back SC. If not, ask SC to do the checking and ask them to list out the part that can claim warranty, go out to change if cannot claim.

But SC sometimes won't give you exact detail of what is gone, they usually ask you to change the whole car... But it's also good to self-verify or find reputable workshops... Because from my experience with SC, they didn't inform me my steering rack is gone after multiple test drives by them. Till I complained and pointed out steering rack got sound only, they proceeded to properly check and claim.

If SC I recommended HZN Shah Alam, overall, they are more straightforward instead of others like Kepong, give you a 10k bill to replace the whole suspension LoL.
If Damansara - Uptown Tyre
IF Kajang - SC Automotive (They do more HRVs but City also can)
Others not sure.. can try FB community groups for eg: honda city

I haven’t go check yet. Maybe this weekend.
But from the look, is it stabiliser link spoilt?

Yea.. from the looks of it. Also, from the pic, it looks like your absorber might be leaking, if yes, then absorber also gone

I went to check at some shop and was told the sound is from steering rack. When they gently knock on the rack end, there’s some sound from steering rack. Was quoted 700+ for a China brand rack. Worth it?

stabilizer link with worn rubber bush can create that sound, my first gen old vios has that and fixed after i changed the stabilizer link. But I end up changing all shock absorbers and shock mountings with ori ones to eliminate all the small noises before. It runs great now (i did previously changed the lower arm and steering linns etc with ori too)

most bush starts to worn after 10 years

If budget, try to get half cut - because they are cheaper and ori, OEM Thai - Also ok, not sure about OEM china... Sounds like it might not last long
If budget not an issue - New Ori
If repair - Might not last

Or maybe try a different workshop haha

Cough cough... Mine 5 years 70k already replace all except the stabilizer link.