Topic: 2011 civic mystery sound

[hsqp87]

Hi everyone! I'm hoping someone may have an idea about what's up with my civic! Sometime in October it started making a noise when going over dips in the road or down curbs or ramps. Sounds kind of like a vibration or a rub or low groan, kind of like driving over a cattle gate of metal bridge. With the cold weather the sound has gotten significantly worse and I hear it also when in first in second gear decelerating at low rpms, with my foot off the gas and off the brake. I recently took it to a Honda specialist shop that did a full inspection. They were unable to identify where the sound was coming from, but did replace the steering tie rod, lower front control rod bushing, front struts and serpentine belt (all items that were showing wear as the old girl has 250 000km on her). $2200 later the car still has the sound with zero improvement. Any ideas?

[EV Dan]

If there is no play in the suspension components or wheel bearings when you shake the wheels by hand (on the jacked car) - I'm gonna assume the Honda guy would find that, the next possible culprit are the brake pads. If they are seized and don't spring back, it may cause all sorts of noises. I was once guessing for a year and then the moment all pads were changed all noise and vibration went away.

[Great_Big_Abyss]

I would check the CV joints.

I'd been surprised if a shop didn't pick up on them if they're the problem, but you never know 

[Firm]

Hi everyone! I'm hoping someone may have an idea about what's up with my civic! Sometime in October it started making a noise when going over dips in the road or down curbs or ramps. Sounds kind of like a vibration or a rub or low groan, kind of like driving over a cattle gate of metal bridge. With the cold weather the sound has gotten significantly worse and I hear it also when in first in second gear decelerating at low rpms, with my foot off the gas and off the brake. I recently took it to a Honda specialist shop that did a full inspection. They were unable to identify where the sound was coming from, but did replace the steering tie rod, lower front control rod bushing, front struts and serpentine belt (all items that were showing wear as the old girl has 250 000km on her). $2200 later the car still has the sound with zero improvement. Any ideas?

When it's doing that (the bolded part) if you touch the brake does the noise change or go away? If so, then it's brake related.

If not, then based on your description of the sound I'd actually suggests it's something exhaust related; loose heat shield, loose internals inside the catalytic converter, broken hanger, etc. If you can get it on a lift work your way along the exhaust system shaking it by hand or banging on it with a rubber mallet and listen. Loose heat shields are pretty common on Honda's in my experience.

[Blueprint]

Hi everyone! I'm hoping someone may have an idea about what's up with my civic! Sometime in October it started making a noise when going over dips in the road or down curbs or ramps. Sounds kind of like a vibration or a rub or low groan, kind of like driving over a cattle gate of metal bridge. With the cold weather the sound has gotten significantly worse and I hear it also when in first in second gear decelerating at low rpms, with my foot off the gas and off the brake. I recently took it to a Honda specialist shop that did a full inspection. They were unable to identify where the sound was coming from, but did replace the steering tie rod, lower front control rod bushing, front struts and serpentine belt (all items that were showing wear as the old girl has 250 000km on her). $2200 later the car still has the sound with zero improvement. Any ideas?

When it's doing that (the bolded part) if you touch the brake does the noise change or go away? If so, then it's brake related.

If not, then based on your description of the sound I'd actually suggests it's something exhaust related; loose heat shield, loose internals inside the catalytic converter, broken hanger, etc. If you can get it on a lift work your way along the exhaust system shaking it by hand or banging on it with a rubber mallet and listen. Loose heat shields are pretty common on Honda's in my experience.

I second that!

[John Simon]

Look for CV joints and Axels and the bushings, may be somethings like these are making noise.