| cardingtr |
Off we went to South Texas again and we ended up to these hardened sand dunes, mud, and steep grades and combinations of these. All can I say is, my MDX took it all with no problems.
But as we headed back even while still off road, I noticed a lot of squeaking sound on the roof. Right where the rear view mirror is. I figured my MDX rigidity is compromised? I never have a problem with this before but now back home already, everytime I turn, or every time I drive through a wide irregularities on the road I hear squeaky sound. I can isolate and stop it but that is not the point.
So any of you guy thats been off road experienced the same?
Curious mind want to know. |
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| frostyra |
| It might be the moonroof; there have been complaints of moonroof squeaks in the past. Try opening it (both ways) to see if the squeak goes away. I've done some mild off-roading, but no squeaks have appeared. |
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| feliz |
| Honda\Acura has problems with sunroofs squeeking. I had this problem with both my CL and TL until I just sprayed a bit of silicone on the sides. I know there is a TSB for both the CL and TL on this issue but not sure about the MDX. I have seen other posts on this forum about the problem. |
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| cardingtr |
As I have said, I can isolate the problem. I am just surprised about the MDX rigidity that it is now squeaky after off roading.
It is not the moonroof. The headliner+telephone wire I used for V1 connection+ windshield all played part. The phone wire rubs the windshield creating a nasty loud squeak. |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by cardingtr
As I have said, I can isolate the problem. I am just surprised about the MDX rigidity that it is now squeaky after off roading.
It is not the moonroof. The headliner+telephone wire I used for V1 connection+ windshield all played part. The phone wire rubs the windshield creating a nasty loud squeak.
Interesting. I can recall having a similar problem a couple of months ago where I would get some kind of squeak overhead when going over bumps.
I meant to check it out closer, now in the last several weeks I have not noticed it at all. It seemed to be just above the windshield. All quiet now. |
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| TheWorm |
I'm not sure I understand the correlation betw the body rigidity of the car itself and offroading if the cause is aftermarket stuff or potentially its installation :8:
If trim panels are falling off or there are mystery squeaks, that's one thing. But if it's your V1 or related components, then I don't understand the connection...
Or are you saying that "something" is flexing (or flexed), causing the tel cord to rub the windshield? The headliner's got a velcro-type attachment @ the top of the windshield; maybe the tel cord just needs repositioning and the headliner just needs to be re-seated.
BTW, I don't recall any complaints about bodyflex or post-offroad squeaks. |
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| cardingtr |
:D Let me get this clearer.
I have the V1 installed for a while. The phonewire is held between the headliner and glass. Never squeak for more than a year after I installed it. The only way it will squeak is if the wire rubs the windshield and it is since I isolated it and it is the wire. I removed it the squeak is gone. The only way it rubs is if the body is bending. It happens if I turn without bumps.
I went off roading, I mean lots of times that only 3 tires on the ground. And the one that bothered me is when I parked my MDX with the rear passenger slightly off the ground for a while. Thats because thats the only place to park without the ground rubbing the muffler.
I thought that did it. I remember I have the hard time closing the rear door(cargo) while parked and I kept checking for obstructions but nothing I can see. At that time I thought its the sand that kept the rear door from closing. After I drive and squeaks overhead, I thought the whole body of the vehicle bent. That really sucks.
I didn't notice any difference the way it drives now. I reposition the wiring so it won't rub the windshield. But I know some damage done.
BTW, we have a hell of a time. |
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| TheWorm |
Ah - now I get it. There's certainly more flex in a unibody (e.g. MDX) than in a body-on-frame. A long while ago there were actually some marketing pics (Mercedes IIRC) demonstrating how on some cars you couldn't close the doors but on the MB you could b/c there was "less" flex in the MB design.
I think DREW posted the pics. You might poke through some of his posts if you're interested. Search for FLEX as the keyword and DREW as the membername and I think it might come up. There was some discussion in the thread that is far more intelligible (and intelligent) than what I know about the subject.
That said, parking in a state of continual flex probably isn't a good idea. Too late now, of course. Your hatch-closing problem probably was a result of bodyflex as you surmise.
If the X is tracking straight and all the doors are closing fine, I imagine you're OK, though. The car *is* designed to flex (rather than break in half). Hopefully the issue is/was more of some headliner droop (it's not as securely attached as it was before you ran the cord, since it's actually NOT attached *right* there anymore) rather than some massive flexing of the windshield or A pillars. IMO if you were getting massive flexing of the windshield, it'd be in pieces by now... |
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| Jon |
| I love my MDX don't get me wrong....but the build quality is suspect. After about 3 months of owning the MDX i too noticed squeaks and rattles, but you know what???..............with over 20,000 miles on the car it semed to "settle" nicely. The annoying creaking sounds went away and it rides like a dream. Give it time to break in and settle and I am sure it will go away. Good luck!!! |
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| shootist |
quote:
Originally posted by cardingtr
:D I went off roading, I mean lots of times that only 3 tires on the ground. And the one that bothered me is when I parked my MDX with the rear passenger slightly off the ground for a while. ... BTW, we have a hell of a time.
Remeber that Acura says the MDX is good for "moderate duty" off roading? Holding one wheel off the ground is not "moderate duty". A dealer might call it "abuse not covered by warranty".
Keep an eye out for corrosion or rust stains around the inside of the back hatch. Severe flexing sometimes causes paint to stress crack; and then corrosion to form in the stress cracks over time.
By the way, the MDX does not have any protective skid plates underneath the engine, transmission, rear differential, or gas tank. |
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| cardingtr |
quote:
Originally posted by TheWorm
Here's one thread for you. Unfortunately, the pic isn't online anymore...
http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/show...dy&pagenumber=1
BTW, do you have any pics of the event that you can post?
No pics but just imagine warzone.:11:
We've got a cartoon box of shotgun ammo, bags of 9mm and 45acp and been shooting all day. The way to the site is sand dunes(deep south Texas) and more sand and mud.
My friends BMW X% did fine too. But its already squeaky in the first place.:D |
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| cardingtr |
quote:
Originally posted by shootist
Remeber that Acura says the MDX is good for "moderate duty" off roading? Holding one wheel off the ground is not "moderate duty". A dealer might call it "abuse not covered by warranty".
Keep an eye out for corrosion or rust stains around the inside of the back hatch. Severe flexing sometimes causes paint to stress crack; and then corrosion to form in the stress cracks over time.
By the way, the MDX does not have any protective skid plates underneath the engine, transmission, rear differential, or gas tank.
Yes I've noticed that the muffler is a real problem. It acted like a scrape but thank goodness we only wandered through sand and mud. No rocks.
As for corrosion and rust stains, I'll keep an eye for it.
Abuse? Nah! Everyday jumps through rail road ramps, driving in 100+ temps with trailers is more like it. |
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