So I had my car aligned and had new tires put on about two weeks ago. They messed up my alignment and didn't align the steering wheel properly - so I decided to take it back and have it fixed.

Now since it has been fixed (been about a week and change) I have noticed the front end makes a metallic knocking sound whenever I go over a bump. It is very random though in the fact that it only really is noticeable at low speeds and it doesn't do it over every bump. It also does it whether I am accelerating, braking, or just rolling.

Oh I have also banged on the fenders/front bumper/hood/and front lip to make sure it was nothing body related. I have also pushed down on the front end and released to see if I can feel the struts popping - because my initial thought was blown struts. I have almost 90k miles on the car so that was a consideration of mine.

I am going to take it into Honda to have it looked at, but does anyone have any insight before I take it up there? That way I can check things ahead of time and hopefully not have to waste my time with the idiot mechanics at the dealership.

 

Bring it back to the alignment place and have them fix it. Other than that you can try to lift the car up and see if any of the adjustment bolts for the alignment is loose.

 

would the adjustment bolts cause the pinging sound/thud though?

 

It could be the steering rack. Similar to the steering rack creaking sounds found on ep3's (2002-2005 civic si)

 

[QUOTE=s2kaddicted,May 23 2008, 03:30 PM]It could be the steering rack.

 

No problem. The steering rack seems to develop problems more for the older models (2003 and below). You can also lookup a few articles and some sticky's on how to replace the steering rack on the ep3.

For the s2000 owner. I would like to hear the sound and also check the suspension at a standstill but most likely problem can first be pointed to the steering rack. Hope that helps.

 

I would try to get a sound clip, but unfortunately the sound isnt loud enough to hear on a camera.

Thanks for the comments on the steering rack. Would this be directly related to the alignment that was done? If so I am going ot take it back to Honda on Monday.

 

anyone? I am taking my car up there tomorrow and I want to make sure I have a good basis to argue that it was related to the alignment.

 

You checked lugs, etc.? Everything obvious?

Otherwise, just tell them the scoop, hopefully they'll just be cool. It's a shame we have to prepare for an argument every time crap like this happens...

 

exactly. and everything common sense was checked ya