imported_BlazeInEk

I recently raised my car back up with stock suspension for the winter. I had a camber kit on the front, but took it out and put the stock a-arms back on thinking I wouldn’t need an alignment because it would be all back to stock. I didn’t think about the toe adjustments so I needed to get an alignment after all.

After this I noticed a clumping (or knocking) sound coming from the front right side. This occurs when I go over a sharp bump, not so much smooth large bumps. It sounds like something is loose and moving around. Everything feels and looks fine. I thought maybe it was the upper ball joint. So, I did a search and seems like people say if there is play then it needs to be replaced. I looked and everything seems fine. I tried moving the wheel while it was jacked up, no play. It would make sense that it is the upper ball joint because I started hearing the noise after I put the stock a-arms back on, but I don’t visually notice anything wrong. Anybody have any ideas what this noise could be?

Car is a 1999 Civic SiR.

Thanks in advance!

chris_si98

It's either your upper bj or lower bj. Get a pry-bar to check for play.

BTW.. how does an upper control arm affect toe? lol As long as you didn't touch your outer tie rods your toe will remain the same..

imported_BlazeInEk

So I would put the pry bar as shown in the diagram (1) then push down (2) so the part at the ball joint and the knuckle pushes up (3)?

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

yeah

chris_si98

Well yeah.. but no need to put good force on upper bj's. they don't carry any load so if they are bad they should wiggle easily. The lower bj is the one that takes a bit of might to move if its good, if its worn out it should move varily easy

95 R-81 Cx

If its a clunking type of noise check to make sure everything has been tightened properly and anti-seeze or lock tite what ever your normal procdeure is with suspension bolts.

zeeman

iTrader: (1)

lock-tite on suspension bolts??!?!?!?!...wtf?

anti-sieze...not lock-tite.

chris_si98

lol

red loc-tite on susp. parts. rrright

imported_BlazeInEk

Thanks guys, I'll check it out later on this week.

95 R-81 Cx

Blue: Can be removed with hand tools
Red: Apply heat to remove
Green: Apply heat to remove

Use blue for underhood tophat bolts or the ones in the back and anti-sieze on everything else that's going to be hit by water/dirt/salt constantly. Never said to use red or green thread lock.

chris_si98

whatever floats your boat dude.