Can noise when driving over bumps be related to CV Axle or inner tie rod?

Tiny
MING FENG
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 HONDA CIVIC
  • 100,000 MILES
My car listed above EX model, has a clunking sound when going over bumps. It happened two years ago. I replaced the struts, control arms, sway bar links, and outer tie rod. The problem was gone. But now the problem has come back. I went under the car and grabbed the bars to shake, the only place I felt tiny loose is the cv axle. Since it’s less possible that the brand name new parts I replaced failed within two years, I plan to replace more parts that I did not replace --- one is the cv axle and the other is the inner tire rod. However, I searched online and found people said:
1. The symptom of bad cv axle is you will hear clicking noise when turning.
My problem is the noise comes when over bumps, not turning.

2. The symptoms of bad Inner tie rod is you will feel there is play in them and it affects steering
My sterling does not have problems and there is no play, just a noise issue when over bumps

These are my two concerns. Should I go ahead to replace the CV Axle and inner tie rod? Or they are unrelated to the noise problem.

Thank you for your help.

Ming
Saturday, March 30th, 2024 AT 12:06 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,512 POSTS
I have seen many defective struts go bad in this amount of time, what brand did you get and where did you buy them at? Clunking sound when going over bumps is classic strut issue, but it could be the sway bar bushings to frame or the sway bar links, please go over the guide below.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/popping-noise

It can also be the lower control arm bushings or the strut mounts, please take a look at the diagrams below where I have pointed out what can cause the noise. Check out the images (below). Please upload pictures or videos in your response to the problem so we can see what's going on.
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Saturday, March 30th, 2024 AT 12:47 PM
Tiny
MING FENG
  • MEMBER
  • 71 POSTS
Hi Ken, thank you for replying. So, I should still focus on struts, sway bar and lower control arm instead of inner tie rod or CV Axle.
I bought the struts from Amazon in August 2022:
Monroe Shocks & Struts Quick-Strut 171433 Strut and Coil Spring Assembly
Monroe Shocks & Struts Quick-Strut 171434 Strut and Coil Spring Assembly

The noise is from the left side so I will replace the left side struts to see what will happen. I think since I will just replace one side, I’d better keep them the same brand. I will still buy the same 171434. (Is that right? Or brand does not matter, and I should buy a better brand?)
Thank you again,
Ming
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Saturday, March 30th, 2024 AT 1:02 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,512 POSTS
Yes, Monroe got bought out a while back so I would go with a better brand that cost a little more, check to see if the strut is leaking that will show you it is no good.
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Saturday, March 30th, 2024 AT 2:09 PM
Tiny
MING FENG
  • MEMBER
  • 71 POSTS
Ken, It's the struts issue. After I replaced it there was no noise anymore. Found out I did use Monroe when I replaced it 15 months ago. I used an even cheaper brand "Unity Automotive Front Left Complete Strut Assembly Fits 2001-2005 Honda Civic, 11641" from Walmart that cost less than $90. I searched warranty. This brand has only one year warranty and I have just passed it. Learned a lesson this time. Thank you,
Ming
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Saturday, April 6th, 2024 AT 2:52 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,512 POSTS
Thanks for letting us know, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.
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Sunday, April 7th, 2024 AT 9:40 AM

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