[A. B. Hair]

My '02 EX L with 450 miles has developed a suspension noise or rumble when I go over "washboard" sections of paved roads. I had this noise on a '98 Windstar and it was corrected by replacing the front shocks or struts. I have not been back to the dealer yet but I wondered if any one else has had this problem? I never had this on my '99 EX. Except for this, the '02 is quieter.

 

[Jerry O1]

My '01 has a "knock" over washboard sections which sounds as if something is loose. I had the dealership check it out and they could find no flaw. There was some talk on one of the other boards, Edmunds or Yahoo, which about an improper weld somewhere in the strut towers, but I have not explored that possibility, yet.

Jerry O.

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2001 Odyssey GG LX

 

[A. B. Hair]

Jerry O - Thanks for your input. I did carry the van to the dealer service man on Saturday. We drove about 10 miles on roads that I felt should have made the noise. It was so slight, I was embarrassed. However, I went on a 60 mile trip later and heard the noise several times. I still think it is a strut, but it takes the correct road condition and speed to make the noise. I'll probably have to wait until it gets worse or find out just how to make the noise occur with the service man is with me. He was very nice and told me I could leave the van with him and he would drive it more.

 

[Jerry O1]

A.B.- My experience exactly. When I rode with the tech., the noise would not make itself heard. Funny how they get well when you "take them to the doctor", Hee! Hee! It is good to have documented our complaints, so that if it does get worse, we will have something to fall back on.

Jerry O.

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2001 Odyssey GG LX

 

[ckonarske]

Don't forget that sometimes a noise you hear when you're alone may be changed or eliminated with the extra weight of a passenger on board.

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Chuck
Click here for Ody pics, mods and fixes on FotoTime.

 

[A. B. Hair]

To Ckonarske - I think you maybe right that an extra passenger may effect the rumble. Also, this noise seems to be only on certain types of washboard conditions in the road. I may go back to the dealer service man next week and let him drive alone. I think the noise is in the right side front end.
Thanks for your input.

 

[Jerry O1]

Good point, Chuck.

Jerry O.

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2001 Odyssey GG LX

 

[A. B. Hair]

Front End Rumble - Last week I carried my 02 EXL SS in for the rumble to be checked. This week the dealer service manager drove it alone and easily heard the noise. He used a service tool he calls "ears" where he put small listening devices at different points. This showed a right strut rubbing against the spring. When the dealer contacted Honda Service, they wanted the entire spring assy returned so yesterday they are sending a complete new right spring unit. They told my dealer, Hendricks Honda in Easley, SC that this was one of several complaints with this right strut and spring so they wanted the whole unit returned.
I am to pick up my van late today. I will report what I find. Hope this might help some one else with this "rumble" noise.

 

[A. B. Hair]

I went to pick up my van yesterday and was told the front end spring assy was on a nation wide backorder because of the rumble problem. They said they greased the spot where the friction occurred and stopped 70% of the noise. They stated they would call me when the parts come in. I really could not here it coming home but it varies from road to road. Surprising that no one in this forum has had the problem?
Let me here if someone does. I will report again next week or when the parts are installed.

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[vquan]

Does anyone know where this rubbing spot is? Where on the spring or strut? If we know where this contact point is, then we can all check our own vehicles to see if we should make a claim.

This nationwide backorder is ridiculous. Motorized door parts are on backorder, now strut assemblies are on backorder. What next? Seems like any common problem that require parts are on backorder. Will the new replacement parts solve the problem? Unless they've redesigned it, my guess is that it'll happen again with the new unit. I think they should supply improved replacement parts as a priority instead of trying to roll out more Odys. Honda should've kept production in Japan.

 

[cmt4]

This topic was one of my very first post topics... and I received no input back then. To make a very long story short, the dealer did voodoo on the front struts. The sound went away for about a month and now is back. I was so unhappy with Honda's answer (not the dealer) that I decided not to go through that again. I've learned to deal with the noise. Let me know what comes of the "replacement part." I may be interested in taking any new info to my dealer. BTW -- They said the noise was coming from from the strut welds.

About the back order of parts: Honda has been playing this "game" with the Ody (and several other models). They've been holding back production to create demand and now that's come back to bite them in the... Anybody have any numbers on the Ody's popularity? Are the units sold keeping up with the competition? People may be on waiting lists for the Ody, but are other vehicles experiencing increases that are above the Ody's percentage?

 

[Jerry O1]

A.B., I can't take it anymore. "Hair" is what I'm short of and you keep bringing it up. Can't ya think of some other user name which would not cause me to lose more of it?

Jerry O.

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2001 Odyssey GG LX

 

[A. B. Hair]

Jerry O - sorry I'm stuck with the name but I am very bald. If that was my only problem I would be great. At my age, hair loss is minor. Learn to live with it.

 

[Jerry O1]

A.B.- Just kiddin'! The lack of hair is the least of my problems and if others want to waste hormones growing the stuff, it's o.k. with me. I just wish it had fallen off my face, instead of my head, Hee! Hee!

Jerry O.

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2001 Odyssey GG LX

 

[sgvn1975]

I just got my new TW Odyssey and it shows the same problem as what you described.
My front left suspension making clanking noise when I go over cetain bump or washboard. I also have rough idling when the van is in park.
Anyone know what is going on and any suggestion. Thanks.

 

[A. B. Hair]

To SVGN1975
Your clanking is appartently different from my rumble. Yours sounds like a loose part to me. I would surely get the service man to drive it and identfy ASAP.

 

[A. B. Hair]

Well, my dealer, Hendricks Honda, finially got the suspension parts and has the noise fixed. They told me Honda wanted the spring and strut returned for their examination. The van is quieter but it is somewhat hard to say as the mechanic greased the piont of contact and most of the noise dissappeared earlier. The problem was where the strut touched the spring. I was not actually able to see the old parts as they had boxed them up by the time I got there.
I am still very happy with this van.

 

[Eray]

I have the same chattering from the front. I have narrowed it to the winshield cowling. I had the dealership put weathering putty/strip under the mold on each end over the struts. This stopped most noise. I think the mold should be removed and the entire bottom should be covered with silicone or weathering strip.

 

[A. B. Hair]

I am surprised at this fix. Ask your dealer of the noise could be from a strut rubbing on a spring.

 

[MR. BLISTER]

Suspension "rattle"

I have a '02 GG EX purchased new on 11/01. It now has 10,000 miles on the odometer. I have the same problem over washboard sections of pavement. Also the "rattle" and "clunking" is evident over sections of cracked asphalt (and we have plenty in S.C.!). I have visually inspected under the front end for possible loose suspension parts but have not found any. I have an appointment next week with my dealership to have the problen looked at. The noise I hear is "VERY LOUD". I hope the dealer does not tell me there is nothing wrong. I would find it hard to believe that a vehicle costing this much would make this much noise. The noise can be very irritating over long sections of cracked asphalt. I also own a '99 Acura GSR and '89 GMC truck. They are much quiter over the same type asphalt. I probably should have had the van to the dealership sooner but my wife drives it 99.9% of the time. I'll report back next week on the dealer service and their findings.

P.S. Glad to be a new Ody Club member and share info..