As the title states, i hear a weired noise coming from what i guess to be my suspension or my my stering rack. It sounds like a popping sound, and it happnes, usually whenever i turn...........it hasnt effected the drivability of the car, but still not a good thought, thinking something can go wrong when driving......anyone have any idea what the problem could be?....Also, i upon inspecting my (i guess sway bars), and struts i noticed alot of loose bolts/nuts......of course there tightened down now...i have a 2000 automatic prelude

 

clicking noise when turning is usually a cv joint. Does it only do it when turning one direction?

 

My prelude 01 had weired noise too when it stops/accelerates, very annoying and I couldn't figure out what the problem was until Honda technician test drive and found the problem. The problem was front sway link bars. Honda replaced these parts and too bad it wasn't under warranty.

Also in the past years it had weired noise when the outside weather is cold, specially in the winter. I have to see if this noise will go away this coming winter.

 

I have to agree with SirHybrid about the CV joint. An old car of mine had CV joint boots that had split and I didn't know it since I was away at school, but I started to hear the same thing- clicking when turning, and the joints had to be replaced.

Money saving tip: If a mechanic ever tells you that the CV boots are split/splitting, do the right thing and replace the boots ASAP. The boots seal and protect dirt and grit from getting in the CV joints, and you can't tell if they are split unless you actually look at them- there are no noises at that point. I know it's really easy to blow off and do them later on, but it's easier and cheaper than getting the joints replaced.

 

You need a new axle/axles in the front. Your CV axle boots most likely the inside boots are probably torn open which let all the axle grease that keeps your axle joints lubricated for smooth turns; are probably now lubricated in dirt and dried out. If you are hearing clicking sounds that means your boot or boots have been torn for a while and you just need to cross your fingers that you didnt snap any of the teeth on the axle knuckle that connects your transmission to the axles or your looking at some serious cash. On preludes though its pretty un-common especially on the stock suspension to here clicking noises, unless the knuckle starts stripping and skipping. the easiest way to check is jack up your car on each side (one at a time if you desire) and just follow your axles to the transmission. There are 2 boots on each side for both axles; you can't miss them "unless they are now completely gone lol, j/k" Just run your hand on the boots if you find a break in the boot or you see a lot of grease on the boot then they need to be replaced. You can always tell when your boots break when you clean your wheels. There will be a black/tar looking stuff splattered all around the rim thats one other way of telling; thats the grease from the boots being pushed out the boot when the axle is rotating. goodluck and get that fixed soon, the longer you wait the longer the bill will get on this type of maintenance.

 

When its cold the suspension pops on my car too. I heard its the sway bar links hopefully it fixes that problem. I also have a problem when its wet out with my front end suspension. It creaks like a bitch whenever I turn the wheel left or right, and it creaks over bumps. Its annoying so I lube it with wd-40 and it goes away for a bit but comes back. I have dealt with these problems ever since I have had the car with 26000 miles on it. Im hoping that replacing the sway bar end links fixes all these problems. Did yours ever creak like that in the front drivers side suspension?

 

thanks all for the input...and now knowing that its the joints, im getting it fixed asap.....and yes v-tec rider, my car does the same thing....i will also look into the swaybar endlinks.