Fixing Acura Rear Suspension Rattles: Best Solutions in Marlborough

The suspension system in your Acura absorbs the impact from the road to the vehicle and provides the drivers and passengers with a smooth and comfortable ride. Not only does it assist in a comfortable and smooth ride, but it also ensures safety during driving.

Acura vehicle models are specifically designed to provide top-notch suspension, mimicking that of race cars. It is a balance of comfort and sporty handling. However, the most sophisticated engineering also faces malfunction if proper care is not taken. Sometimes, the suspension module begins to make a rattling sound, which is not only a nuisance but also an indication of potential damage or malfunction. These rattling sounds can occur while turning, accelerating, going over bumps, or slowing down.

Cause of Suspension Rattling in Acura

The factors behind the rattling sound from the suspension include;

• Stabilizer or sway bar links and bushings wear out, causing them to collide with each other. The distinct sound often generates when the vehicles go over small bumps, speed bumps, or when one side of the car dips before the other.
• Control arm bushings are made of rubber or polyurethane, which cushion the connection between the control arm and the vehicle frame. Over time, the material becomes stiff, and the collision between the components increases in frequency, resulting in a rattling sound.
• Ball joints facilitate the movement of the steering knuckles while maintaining the wheel assembly. Wear and corrosion in the ball joints cause contact between the two components, which causes a rattling sound.
• Wear in the ball-and-socket joint of the tie rod ends causes a rattling sound when the vehicle is turning or going over a bump.
• Struts or shock absorbers mainly absorb the impact and shock from the road to the wheel. On top of the struts, various vehicle components are mounted. Over time, the struts lose their flexibility as well as shock-absorbing capabilities. This causes the components mounted on top of the struts to shake and collide with each other, resulting in a rattling sound from the suspension compound.
• Loose hardware, such as bolts, clamps, and nuts, prompts their respective components to rattle, as their tightness is diminished.

Fixing the Suspension Rattling Sound in an Acura

To fix the rattling sound in your Acura’s suspension component, several tests are first performed to identify the point of origin of the damage between various suspension components. Primary visual inspection includes the bounce test, tire condition checks, oil leaks checks, and physical damage checks. The secondary visual inspection consists of a detailed check of the suspension component, including sway bar links and bushings, ball joints, tire rod ends, and strut mounts. Then, a road test is performed, where another technician traces the origin of the sound while one drives the vehicle.

Upon finding the damage, professional repairs are performed. Many suspension repairs involve replacing the damaged suspension component. Sway bar links and bushings, and tire rod ends are replaced with minimal disassembly of the suspension system. Control arm bushings and ball joints are removed using a special pressure tool, and the new components are installed. Strut or shock mount damage calls for the disassembly of the suspension module and replacement with new strut mounts.

After the suspension repair, the wheels are aligned as per company standards. The suspension repair and servicing misaligns the wheels. Thus, to ensure safety and smooth driving, the wheels are realigned and the control module is reset. Additionally, regular inspections of tire and suspension components, along with gentle driving practices, should be adopted to prolong the suspension’s health.

Suspension Rattling Sound Fixing at Professional Automotive near Marlborough

Professional Automotive is the premier auto repair and maintenance shop throughout Marlborough. Our trained and experienced technicians have years of experience in repairing vehicles from many brands, including domestic, European, and Asian import vehicles, such as Acura. Our shop features the latest factory-grade tools and scanners, along with brand-specific software that enables us to perform effective repairs and maintenance for the suspension rattling sound in your Acura.

For all our repairs and services, we source OEM-made or quality alternative parts. All our fluids are topped off according to brand specifications, whether in terms of composition or volume. For our customers, we provide a 2-year/24,000-mile warranty on both parts and labor. Most of our repairs have a same-day turnaround time, and while your vehicle is getting repaired, you can avail a loaner from our fleet of loaners. Since 1994, we have been assisting the auto owners and drivers in repair and maintenance services in Marlborough City and its surrounding cities, including Hudson, Northborough, Southborough, Sudbury, Westborough, Stow, Bolton, Berlin, and Framingham.

* White Acura ZDX Car image credit goes to: YuriyVlasenko.