Why does my Honda CRV make a sound when I go over bumps?
Hearing unusual sounds from your Honda CRV when driving over bumps can be concerning. These noises often indicate an issue with your vehicle's suspension or other related components. As an experienced auto service provider, I’ll walk you through the possible causes and what you can do to address them.
Common Causes of Noises When Driving Over Bumps
There are several reasons why your Honda CRV might make noises when going over bumps. Here are the most common culprits:
- Worn Suspension Components: The suspension system, including shocks, struts, and bushings, absorbs the impact of bumps. Over time, these parts can wear out, leading to clunking or squeaking noises.
- Loose or Damaged Stabilizer Bar Links: The stabilizer bar (or sway bar) helps reduce body roll during turns. If the links connecting it to the suspension are loose or damaged, you may hear rattling or knocking sounds.
- Faulty Ball Joints: Ball joints connect the control arms to the steering knuckles, allowing smooth movement. When they wear out, they can produce a clunking noise, especially over uneven surfaces.
- Exhaust System Issues: If parts of the exhaust system, such as hangers or brackets, are loose, they can cause rattling noises when driving over bumps.
- Debris or Foreign Objects: Sometimes, debris like rocks or sticks can get lodged in the undercarriage, causing unusual sounds when the car moves over bumps.
How to Diagnose the Problem
To pinpoint the source of the noise, follow these steps:
- Listen Carefully: Pay attention to the type of noise (clunking, squeaking, rattling) and where it seems to be coming from (front, rear, left, or right).
- Inspect the Suspension: Look for visible signs of wear or damage on shocks, struts, and bushings. Check for leaks around the shocks or struts, which could indicate failure.
- Check Stabilizer Bar Links: Examine the stabilizer bar and its links for looseness or damage.
- Inspect the Exhaust System: Look underneath the car for loose or damaged exhaust components.
- Consult a Professional: If you’re unable to identify the issue, bring your vehicle to a trusted auto repair shop for a thorough inspection.
Why Addressing the Issue is Important
Ignoring these noises can lead to more significant problems down the road. For example:
- Worn suspension components can affect your vehicle's handling and safety.
- Loose stabilizer bar links can compromise stability during turns.
- Faulty ball joints can lead to uneven tire wear and steering issues.
Addressing the problem early can save you money and ensure your Honda CRV remains safe and comfortable to drive.
When to Visit Kevin's Autos
If you’re in the Mountain View, CA area and need professional assistance, Kevin's Autos is here to help. With decades of experience in car maintenance and repair, we specialize in diagnosing and fixing suspension issues, among other services. Don’t hesitate to give us a call at (650) 965-7112 or visit our shop for expert care.
Remember, unusual noises are your car’s way of telling you something needs attention. Let us help you keep your Honda CRV running smoothly!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is one of the first signs of bearing failure?
A sure sign that your bearing has failed is vibration. If the raceway surface of the bearing becomes damaged by abrasion, the rolling elements (the balls or rollers) will bounce around on the raceway surface during operation, causing high levels of vibration.
How do you know if your wheel bearings are bad on a Honda CRV?
Your wheel bearing might be bad if you hear unusual sounds like humming, squeaking, or clicking. Some experts say a bad wheel bearing can sound like a bird chirping. Also, if your car wobbles or pulls to one side, you will want to get it checked.
Why is my Honda CRV rattling noise over bumps?
The most likely cause on your vehicle is worn upper control arm bolts. There is a Honda technical service bulletin on rattling noises over bumps (TSB #98-050) detailing repair procedures for this problem on certain VIN number CRV vehicles.
Why does my front end make a clunking sound when I go over bumps?
Damaged or Worn-out Control Arms
Control arms can wear out even in normal road conditions. The damage and wear are accelerated if you drive in off-road conditions. Worn-out control arms may cause the wheels to move out of alignment, which causes the vehicle to make a clunking noise as you steer the wheels on a bump.
Why is there a rattling sound when I drive over bumps?
Your vehicle's heat shield, its timing chain, its exhaust system mounts and brackets, and the hydraulic valve lifter are also possible sources of the rattle. Finally, you can also check the muffler, harmonic balancer, and certain cabin fixtures.
What does a wheel bearing sound like?
The sound may disappear. At some speeds or occur only at certain speeds. The noise may get worse when turning or it may disappear momentarily.
Is it safe to drive with bad suspension?
Regardless of whether it's a broken coil spring or a broken shock absorber, you cannot drive a vehicle which has any element of the suspension that is broken. This is because driving with a damaged or collapsed coil spring can cause sagging, which could cause more damage to your vehicle in the long-term.
Why does my car make a sound when I go over a bump?
Part of the car accessories control arm assembly are bushing, typically made of rubber or polyurethane. The bushings are designed to dampen any noise that might be created when your vehicle goes over a bump. If the bushing wear down, the noise is not dampened and you may hear a resulting bang when driving over bumps.
Why does my Honda make a knocking sound when accelerating?
The knocking of your engine due to wear and tear or it could be anything may go wrong with it. It could be the valves need to be adjusted, spark plugs are too old or they are not the correct type. Or the type of fuel you put in your engine. Or the knock sensor of your old car fail too.
What do bad struts sound like?
You'll often hear clunking or knocking sounds when bad struts react to bumps. This is one of the most common strut noises indicating your suspension system needs attention.
