Lower control arms have a horrible design and the front ones go bad. If you hear a clunk from the front of your car its probably the bushing. If you let it go it will destroy your axles and possibly your transmission. I paid $50.00 for the 4 front bushing and had them pressed in after I removed the arms myself for $40.00. This car is horrible buy a Toyota.
I bought my 2002 Honda Civic, used. After about a week of ownership, I noticed a soft crunching (banging) noise coming from the front right tire. Didn't really bother me as I live in a town that easily floods, so we have dips out the wazoo. As time went on the banging got louder and louder, especially on right turns or when going over dips. Everyone I spoke with told me it was the CV Joint and as Honda's are well known for this problem. I kept putting off the shop, as I thought the problem wasn't major and cash flow was low. The other day, I took a right turn and it sounded like a small bomb went off on the right front side of my car. I Finally called the Honda dealer and got my car into the shop. The CV Joint was NOT the problem. My control arm had broken and I was surprised to hear that if it would have snapped, I could very well have ended up dead or seriously hurt. From what the dealer told me, once your control arm snaps, your axle breaks and you're in deep poopoo. I don't know how common this problem actually is, but IF you think it's your CV joint, I would recommend that you ask your mechanic to check out your control arm as apparently, you can die if it breaks. Thanks!
- Tess H.,
P, CO, US
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
My Honda Civic has barely been driven 85,000 kilometers, and the Lower control arm bushing has cracked. This is a case of bad engineering.
- drodrigues, Toronto, ON, Canada