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quote:
Originally posted by sspeedy7056
Remery;
I am investigating Ards solution also; My service Mgr.doesn't beleive this is the solution and he has a point though, That would not cause a noise felt in the floorboards. Mine can usually be felt in the feet.The upper strut area would cause a noise coming from up high. ...
You may be right but remember, the noise/vibration can be transmitted through the body and sound like it is coming from somewhere else. I had the "squeeking sunroof" issue and a number of passengers swore that they thought the sound was coming from *under* the car. (Service fixed the squeek from the sunroof motor mount - and no more squeek "under" the car) |
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I picked up my MDX today after my dealer replaced the bushings (which they determined, before handing the vehicle back to me, did not fix the problem) and then the lower control arm bolts. I've driven over spots where I have been able to reliably replicate "my thud" and so far so good. I think it will take a week or two to determine if this is a permanent fix.
PS
I also called customer service to log the problem... I found the rep to be responsive. |
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quote:
Originally posted by lamdx
I picked up my MDX today after my dealer replaced the bushings (which they determined, before handing the vehicle back to me, did not fix the problem) and then the lower control arm bolts. I've driven over spots where I have been able to reliably replicate "my thud" and so far so good. I think it will take a week or two to determine if this is a permanent fix.
PS
I also called customer service to log the problem... I found the rep to be responsive.
Thanks, Keep us posted. Did they replace anything else? |
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Toml,
Nothing else was replaced.
Update to follow.
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Well everyone, I'm taking mine in for the THUD or CLUNK noise. It is getting worse and worse. I can now feel it in my steering. I don't know if it's the struts (shocks) or suspension. It's kinda nerve racking when I'm driving. I really don't want to take it in and leave it. I sure hope they can fix it. It's a lot of money (in gas) driving there and back and puts more and more miles on my MDX. O.K. I'm not whining about all that I knew that when I bought it, but it's just irritating. I just want it fixed and be on my way. I'll keep you posted if they get fixed.
Lmeans |
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| I've now driven a solid two weeks on my "thud fix", see above. I do not know if two weeks is enough time to declare victory, but so far so good. |
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I've had my MDX for two weeks (took delivery on 5/26/01) and this thread, along with the size of the problems forum is making me nervous. I too love my MDX and haven't had any problems other than pulling out the coin box and having a problem getting it back in. I previously owned a TL and have noticed some differences but feel that they are due to the differences between a sedan and an SUV.
I've also owned a Legend and an Integra and have always found Acura vehicles of high quality and Acura themselves to be responsive to problems. I'm not freaking out totally because of this experience and the hope that when/if I experience any of the mentioned problems, that my dealer/Acura will take care of them.
It's frustrating I know to experience problems with a new and expensive piece of machinery. Luckily through the persistence of the members here reporting their problems to Acura, we all will benefit from it. It's regretable that anyone has had to have problems of this type.
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quote:
Originally posted by lamdx
I've now driven a solid two weeks on my "thud fix", see above. I do not know if two weeks is enough time to declare victory, but so far so good.
Lamdx;
Could you give some more details about this fix,possibly from what your receipt from the dealer says, or details from your conversations with the service dept. @ your dealership? Also, what was the name, city, state of your dealership?
My MDX is going in the day after tomorrow for the 6th time to the 2nd dealership with the supervision of the Acura Field Rep., upon request from Management @ ACS.
I would like to be armed with as much info. as possible.
I appreciate any help you can give me. |
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| So far so good, Acura of Pasadena replaced the "Spring tube" and that has solved it thus far. I'll let you all know if it returns! |
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Two weeks ago I took my MDX to the dealer for a loud clunking noise coming from the front, they adjusted a rubber "insolator" (their words, not mine) on the driver's side. Loud clunk, gone!!
Still the front-end feels very busy and smaller, less conspicuous clunks could be heard and felt when going over small bumps. Often a strange vibration could be felt in the steering wheel. Today the mechanic who test drove the car feels the problem is with weak front struts and so he will have them replaced. I'll keep you posted.
It's hard not to love this car but going through this with a 40k vehicle is sure frustrating not to mention the $700 dent someone left on my front bumper.
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sspeedy###,
Specifically, my dealer performed the following repaires:
Installed coil spring insulators
Installed rear lower control arm bolts
As mentioned, so far it is working 100%.
Oh, my dealer is Acura of Pasadena, So. Calif.
good luck! |
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Well, it didn't take long for the "thud" to manifest itself on my new MDX -- it only has 500 miles. Speed bumps and exiting driveways while going right seem to bring out the noise at its worst. So, it's off to the dealer. Though, I recognize after following this forum that the fix is elusive at best, I figure I should at least get the problem recorded with the dealer.
This will be my first experience with Acura 101 West's service department here in So California. I'll post any interesting experiences after my appointment this Friday.
Granite Green w/touring & nav. Running boards & chrome factory wheels. |
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Unfortunately my thud did not get fixed. They tightend somthing up (I'll have to look to see what that something was), but it didn't work. So I faxed the service dept. all the thud stuff on here. Hopefully when I take my MDX in they'll have an idea what to look for. I just wonder how bad it's sounds from the outside. I'm afraid people are looking at me saying, boy that car sounds like crap. I just want the thud gone. Also I told them about the sqeaky sun roof in the pop up position. They said that I'll have to live with that problem they can't fix it. My front air deflector is rubbing paint of my hood. They noted that, but didn't do anything about it. They said they would have to keep it for 3 days for that. I had a lump in my seat. They said if it pokes through then they will replace the leather for the 2nd time. Let's see did I get it all. Yep I think so. I'll check to see what they tightend up. I guess it doesn't really matter because it didn't fix the problem. I'll let you guys know more when I take it in again. TaTa for now.
Lmeans |
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lmeans,
It sounds like you are not getting the "TLC" that you should from your dealer! What dealer is it? |
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quote:
Originally posted by toml
lmeans,
It sounds like you are not getting the "TLC" that you should from your dealer! What dealer is it?
It is Joe Rizza Acura in Orland Park, Illinois. Don't get me wrong these people are great people over there, but they just didn't help me out too much this last time I was there. I'm going to give them another chance on the "thud" noise real soon since I faxed them a copy of all the thud things we have on here. I just gave them a call to see what he thought of my fax. I got "voicemail" and so I'll be waiting for a call back from them soon. Let you all know what's going on when I can.
Lmeans |
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| I believe based on my experiences with acura customer services that TLC stands for Total Lack of Care. Anyhow mine goes in tomorrow for the rubbery mickey mouse, will update you guys on the results. I have been at the dealership so many times I should have a TLC VIP card coming soon. |
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quote:
Originally posted by jeych
I believe based on my experiences with acura customer services that TLC stands for Total Lack of Care. Anyhow mine goes in tomorrow for the rubbery mickey mouse, will update you guys on the results. I have been at the dealership so many times I should have a TLC VIP card coming soon.
Jeych;
Read my post of 6/18/01 (with link to other forum) in this forum BEFORE you take it in. So far the only noises I hear is when I TRY to hear something and I actually bottom out the suspension (Any car would make noise under that circumstance) |
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Two days after my front struts were replaced, the loud clunk returned to the front end of my MDX only this time it's on the passenger's side. Well, at least they figured out the driver's side.
Placed my third call to Acura Client Services and was told that 'a file was opened up on my problem', whatever that means.
On Monday, someone from the regional office should be at the dealer to help with the fix.
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Yeah, newjack, I hear your pain!!! (in more ways than one!)
Alas, AoB is clueless, and I really do not want to blame them for it. Aparantly, Acura engineers either have no f*&^ing idea what this thing is, or their hands are tied due to a "part defect" and that part is currently irreplaceable. :(:(:(
Anyway, I let ACS know of Speedy's solution. On Friday 06/22 my rep talked to Speedy's rep and they will talk to that NJ dealer who apparantly fixed his [Sppedy's] problem. They'll let me know shortly. |
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Well, the rep from ACS never showed up today.
The guys at AoB thought the problem was the dust cover plate in need of tightening. Whether that really was the problem remains to be seen. I am hoping this does it because I don't think I have the time to go back and forth to the dealer.
I was not able to replicate the thud after today's fix but the harsh grinding feel in the steering when going over mildly irregular pavement won't go away. The mechanic thinks this is normal. I am keeping my fingers crossed.
BTW vip9, the service manager at AoB finally admitted that he has had a couple of other people with the same problem. He claimed all were fixed by adjusting that rubber insulator and none returned. But while I was there, a gentleman with a silver MDX was complaining to the other service person about noises in his undercarriage. He told me that they told him all he needed was to have something retorqued. He had never heard of this site so I gave him the address and wished him well. |
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Please take the time to call Acura Client Services 1-800-594-8500 and log your thud problem. I believe the more of us that do this, the quicker a fix will be availble.
MB- |
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I called ACS last week and they told me, "This is the first we have heard of it..." Amazing! She also claimed to know nothing about the weeping mirrors and the Kazoo/tea kettle noise problem. Do these people work in a cave?!
quote:
Originally posted by MesaBeige
Please take the time to call Acura Client Services 1-800-594-8500 and log your thud problem. I believe the more of us that do this, the quicker a fix will be availble.
MB-
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| I have called ACS for other complaints/issues. They are never "aware" of other similar complaints. This is all part of their telephone 'combat' training. |
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| When I called ACS a couple of weeks ago my person was aware of the Thud but claimed ignorance on the weeping mirrors and door pillar nicks. An actual person called me back 2 days later to discuss these 3 problems so ACS is responsive just not effective. |
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| toml |
| So far, the thud has not returned! I am back to a happy owner.:) |
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| sspeedy7056 |
toml;
What did you have done that hasn't returned??? |
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| TheWorm |
quote:
Originally posted by toml
So far, the thud has not returned! I am back to a happy owner.:)
Glad to hear it. Be sure and head over to the Knowledge Base and enter the fix info so we know what works (in addition to here, of course). |
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| genemish |
| I hope the problem will be fixed on the 2002 model.. any comments? |
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| New MDXer |
There is a TSB on the Front Suspension Noise issue, the number is 01-023 dated July 9. I didn't have the opportunity to steal a copy of it, but I did see it. This TSB covers three things for the dealer to fix. I had the first one done which is the retorqueing of the Lower Control Arm bolts (this is TSB# 00-24).
The second requires a special part, # 52442-S0X-A01 = Silencer Tube and is on order. I'll keep you all posted |
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| dkarys |
I had my MDX in multiple times for the "thud" and had little to no success in the beginning. On my third trip they installed the "insulation kit", which fixed about 80% of my thud instances.
Two weeks ago I had it in again and they retorqued they lower control arm bolts and that appears to have fixed the remainder of the "thuds"!!!!! :) :) :)
I just returned from a trip to Colorado, in which I drove over 3000 miles in eight days under all kinds of conditions, including several miles of off roading in the mountains, construction zones, speeds up to 105 mph, speed bumps, hard acceleration, hard stops and just plain cruising. Guess what, absolutelly zero occurences of the "THUD" :D :D :D
I'll document some other comments relative to the trip in another thread, but I am so excited that I appear to have this issue resolved, that I had to share it here.
Dan |
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| toml |
| Acura of Pasadena did the re-torque, new spring tube and installed the spring isolators. I have driven 3500 thud-less miles so far. The service manager told me that they have had very good luck thus far with this fix on other MDX’s. |
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| genemish |
| Acura should thank us for discovering their problems for them.. |
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| tdnone |
quote:
Originally posted by toml
Acura of Pasadena did the re-torque, new spring tube and installed the spring isolators. I have driven 3500 thud-less miles so far. The service manager told me that they have had very good luck thus far with this fix on other MDX’s.
Is it possible to have some pics of the thud fix so we can verify if the later version have it installed?
Very much appreciated if you can.
Thanks and cheers :):):) |
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| sspeedy7056 |
tdnone;
Tim @ Hondaacuraworld will have the TSB posted to his site in a couple of days. This has a real good drawing of the upper spring insulator on page 2. This insulator is identical to the lower spring insulator that is on All MDXs from the start. |
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| toml |
| I am not sure I can get photos, I'll check tonight. |
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| genemish |
| This THUD is really something.. I hope someone from Acura CS surfes this website.. 10 pages on "the thud"!!! |
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| NYC_KID |
Does anyone have any updates? I have been waiting because I didn't have the time or the energy to deal with these New York Acura service centers before a real fix was found.
What about getting the spring 'shaved'? There seem to be a number of fixes, so can anyone recommend the best and least time consuming one? |
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| vip9 |
quote:
Originally posted by NYC_KID
Does anyone have any updates? I have been waiting because I didn't have the time or the energy to deal with these New York Acura service centers before a real fix was found.
What about getting the spring 'shaved'? There seem to be a number of fixes, so can anyone recommend the best and least time consuming one?
Hi, NYC_KID. I, for one, was all over ACS the moment I heard about "shaved" coils solution to our thud problem. They were not very supportive of the idea, voicing some "safety" issues, etc. The TSB that is out is not very helpful in MY case. That's right, everything on that TSB has been performed on my car. After the latest fix (coil insulators or whatever they are called), my car was significantly more quiet, but occasional thud still shows its "ugly face" :(
Well, an Acura engineer is supposed to be in Brooklyn in the middle of August, and I (well, actually my car) have a date with him/her. I will certainly keep everybody informed of the results of that date.
As far as your impatience is concerned, I can truly understand you. This upcoming appointment will be my 5(!) time that AoB has my car exclusively for thud-related issues. Add to that 2 visits with other problems as well as today's oil change appointment, and you get 8 visits in 7 months!!! (More that a visit per month :(:(:()
It all started in late January when a techician looked at me like I escaped from a psychiatric ward while I was trying to explain the problem. And throughout, polite smiles and shrugged shoulders - they had no f*****g clue and were not willing to improvise. |
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| cr |
My MDX went in for service VTM - 4 fluid plus oil change at 6 mo.
(By the way, my dealer Rosenthal Acura in MD charges 70 clams for the VTM change) as well as a couple of other items:
Play in the gas pedal (determined to be "normal")
A poor fit on the plastic piece on the "A" pillar on the psgr. side (by dashboard)==determined that the clip was broken, bad job by the Canadians (sorry Admin!) and finally, the THUD. Their solution for the thud was the control arm tighening job and the Coil Spring Spacer solution. They are getting the spacers in fed ex (supposedly the "warehouse" is well stocked w/them) and they will install. I will let all know if this rectifies the problem on my vehicle, I have read mixed results going down this path. IMHO--shaving down the coil spring does not seem like a good solution, I'd rather have a spacer than less metal. |
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| remery |
| For 6,000 miles I had very very intermittant thudding in the left front but consistent creaking upon hard breaking. Now I am starting to hear creaking, not sloshing, noises from the rear that match those in the front. I have a few minor other things that need fixing so I think it's about time I contribute to this research project by making an appointment and see watch luck I have. |
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| FRANTIC-X |
CR
My dealer is also Rosenthal in MD. I am just wondering why you are being charged to the VTM fluid change. My sales guy told me that the initial oil and VTM fluid change is free.
My ALLI is due for her oil change soon. Please let us know about the results of the thud fix. My ALLI has the "THUD" too. Ask them what is the percentage of success in eliminating the thud using the procedure mentioned in your post. Has there any recurrence of the thud after the procedure?
I wanna get as much positive/negative feedback about the service by Rosenthal before bringing in my ALLI.
Thanks in advance. |
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| cr |
I was charged bec. I did not purchase my vehicle at Rosenthal, I got it at Tischer (I only waited 8 weeks for my MDX, not the typical 12-16 weeks at the time). So that is why I got charged. Oil and VTM-4, w/tax and everthing ran about 100 bucks.
They inserted the coil spring spacers and I took the mdx pretty hard over the speed bumps near the dealership and the speed bumps near my home that always triggered the "thud" and nothing appeared, so their fixed worked! (for now). I am a happy camper. |
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| soesed |
| Is there now a real TSB for "The Thud". I didn't have it at first, but do now and it can absolutely be reproduced. If the TSB exists, can someone post it with details and numbers? |
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| ghm2112 |
Tim at hondacuraworld can fax you the thud TSB. Officially it is called Service Bulletin 01-023 and they refer to three separate symptoms: a 'pop' heard when accelerating and breaking; a 'clunk' heard when driving through dips; and a 'thump' heard when driving over rough roads.
Although I am not a mechanic, the fix description for symptom 2 (installation of a 'spring silencer tube') seems temporary to me as it appears to be something that will wear out in-due-time.
Our baby was three-for-three and is, as we speak, under the knife. :(
Happy Trails |
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| soesed |
| Perhaps Acura should send out a test track with that one. |
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| mdxrb |
I had my MDX in last week for my dealers version of a fix. My dealer didn't/wouldn't tell me much. He said that they replaced struts on both sides. He said that replaced both sides with new struts. I think the work order used the term "damping unit" instead of strut, if that helps at all. I'm guessing that would include the springs, so maybe the springs were "shaved" or had better quality control before they where shipped to my dealer.
Anyhow, the noise is gone for now! I'm just hoping it will last. |
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| ghm2112 |
sosed: why do you think dealerships put speed bumps in the parking lot?:D Let's just hope my 'technicians' take it easy on their pre- and post-op test drives:rolleyes:
mdxrb: why the secrecy from the dealer? wrt the TSB, the fix for symptom C ('thump') directs the technician to inspect the two front dampers and replace either or both dampers if they are observed to be leaking fluid. Sounds like that's what they may have done with your rig.
Happy Trails. |
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| mdxrb |
ghm: I'm not sure why he would'nt tell me much. The work was done last week. Maybe the TSB wasn't out yet, so he didn't want to say anything until it was official... Or maybe he's just not the talkative type??
When he diagnosed the problem a couple of weeks ago, all he said was that Acura was well aware of the problem, and that they had a fix. Other than that he wouldn't say anything. |
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| ghm2112 |
rb: the date on the copy of TSB 01-023 that I received from Tim is July 9, 2001. I'm not sure how these things are distributed to the service centers/dealerships, but I would imagine they should have had a copy well before you came in. Acura has been well aware of the problem for many months (at least since March).
Maybe, as you say, he's just not the talkative type. However, I find most dealership-related people (especially salesmen) to be web-phobes (i.e., distrustful of anyone who comes in and says, "I read on the web that...'). Seems like they prefer to be the 'experts', and don't like anyone trying to see that man behind the curtain.:)
Regardless, it'll be interesting to see how long the fixes last.
Happy Trails. |
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| vip9 |
Well, my car is in yet again. This time, it was an appt. set up by ACS - apparently, Acura engineer is going to be at AoB this week. Although my car has been rather "quiet" since the last fix (silencers/spacers installed), thud does show its ugly "face" every now and then.
ACS rep said it would take them 2 days to deal with my car. Noone at the dealership seemed particularly intereseted in me bringing the car in for the 6th! time over thud-related issues. They weren't even sure if that engineer is going to be there. They also gave me a loaner - Pontiac Grand Am from Dollar rent-a-car. What a P.O.S. ! I wouldn't even need it ordinarily, but I need a car tonight, so, after a "two-day warning", I did not decline a loaner.
Anybody else in Brooklyn brought their MDX in for a "date" with the Creators? :) We can meet afterwards
I'll keep you posted about the outcome. Let the thud die now and forever!!! |
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| remery |
vip9,
If these guys finally fix your thud what then will you have to grouch about. Start up the wind noise thing again or will you surprise us with something new?:D:D
I am actually going to take mine in to the dealer next week to get assorted items fixed including the thud plus front and rear suspension creaks. I have 6,600 milles on mine and the thud has become more frequent and rear suspension creaks have just started. This will be the first time I have taken it to a dealer to do anything so we'll see if they can fix it the first time. I will share with you exactly what they did and since I live on an extremely poor State frontage road, similar to what I am sure you drive on in NYC, I will be able to determine quickly if they fixed it.
A curious thing, Chicagoland dealers actually have slightly lower ratings in the forum for sales and service than NY ones. So statistically speaking, should I have a worse time than you do? Gee, it just baffles the heck out of me why fewer folks here in Chicago complain about poor service in the forum than you members in NYC even with our lower dealer ratings. Maybe it's the water you guys drink? :rolleyes::confused:
Hope that 6's a charm! |
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| vip9 |
Remery, those creaks come with age, you know. The older you get, more of them you hear, if, of course, your hearing is still there... Or, I am sorry, you were talking about your car! My mistake! :)
Well, I do not believe you would find a single post where I WHINED about my dealer and the service they provide. I hold Acura responsible, not the dealer. The only "gripe" - they refused to "improvise" on a few occasions with leaky mirrors. Under the circumstances, I think it is only for the better. That said, do not look for the answer in the water we drink, check your eyes first!!! I did not see a single service-related complaint about Acura of Brooklyn.
I already spoke on the phone with Acura rep attending to my car at AoB. She actually listened! I believe this was the first time someone actually asked me for all the details and paid attention to what I had to say. I also mentioned the mirror issue. With all the storms we had the last couple of days, there is no lack of water in those mirror housings. :(
Do not get all hyper if you do not hear the thud right away after a fix. Even in the ole' good days, it took at least a week after a repair for it to come back.
Good luck with your repairs. Keep us posted. I believe I start "hearing" something in the back as well. I just have my ears trained at the front so much it is hard to re-adjust. :) |
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| vip9 |
They just told me they cannot replicate the sound!!! It's a de ja vu - that's what I heard in January when a techician was looking at me like I escaped from a mental institution as I tried to reproduce the sounds I heard. :(
I'll have to try to do it tomorrow myself.
At least now with all of our collective "experience" with this problem I know I am not crazy. I had some doubts about that back in January... :) |
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| SCCC |
Hi Everyone,
I've just discovered this site a couple of days ago so I'm quite new to all this stuff. Would someone mind explaining to me what a "Thud" is? I've had my MDX since Feb. and wanted to see if I have the same problem. Thanks alot!
SCCC |
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| tdnone |
quote:
Originally posted by SCCC
Hi Everyone,
I've just discovered this site a couple of days ago so I'm quite new to all this stuff. Would someone mind explaining to me what a "Thud" is? I've had my MDX since Feb. and wanted to see if I have the same problem. Thanks alot!
SCCC
Use the Search button above.... BTW, welcome. |
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| vip9 |
That about covers it. Seriously, though, if not the entire thread (this and a few other), at least read the first few posts in this one - on page 1 - you'll get a general idea.
To be as brief as possible, thud has several "faces". The most common "thud" is when suspension coils apparently touch each other when the car hits a speed bump or similar uneven portion of the road. It sounds somewhat like loading a shotgun klink-klank. An unpleasant sound! There is at least one Service Bulletin (TSB) from Acura on this issue which lists 3 possible solutions.
I never heard a thud hitting a pothole. In theory, it is supposed to be there, but the entire car usually makes so much noise that isolating just thud is next to impossible. The best way to replicate it (or find out if it exists at all) is to drive over parking lot speed bumps or similar road hazards. Often, domed intersections also help. |
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| remery |
quote:
Originally posted by SCCC
Hi Everyone,
I've just discovered this site a couple of days ago so I'm quite new to all this stuff. Would someone mind explaining to me what a "Thud" is? I've had my MDX since Feb. and wanted to see if I have the same problem. Thanks alot!
SCCC
If you have to ask what it is, I am fairly certain you don't have it!:D:D |
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| vip9 |
Yeah, I am a real happy camper this morning! :(
Unfortunately, neither a rep nor myself (at 7 am this morning) were able to replicate the f*&%$#g sound! That means I do not have it any more since the last fix. :( Granted, that last fix about 45 days ago did reduce thud occurences to a fraction of what it was, but I KNOW it is there!!! I hear it on occasion. Unfortunately such an occasion did not happen this morning.
I must add, though, that I am very happy with the patience and attention Acura rep showed me during these past 2 days. I'll be waiting for thud to reappear again to the point that I can once again consistently replicate it. Some of you might think I am crazy for wishing it on myself :( Well, as far as I am concerned, since I CAN hear it occasionally, it is NOT FIXED yet. I just need to demosntrate this fact to a technician. |
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| ghm2112 |
vip:
which of the three remedies did they do? all three?
my technicians apparently only did the first one and the thud persists.
Happy Trails. |
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| vip9 |
quote:
Originally posted by ghm2112
vip:
which of the three remedies did they do? all three?
my technicians apparently only did the first one and the thud persists.
Happy Trails.
ghm: Over time, they did all three. I do not think they did anything this time since they could not replicate the problem. The only reason I even brought the car in was to show it to the ACS rep. I did not expect any miracles.
I hope you guys all realize my previous post was in jest. :( |
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| DMor |
| vip9...I am really sorry to hear about your Thud problems. Must be nothing but aggravating to deal with this issue. Have you tried running it over railroad tracks or would the Thud be masked by other rattles? |
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| FRANTIC-X |
Here is a summary of what the dealer did to fix (hopefully a permanent one) the infamous "THUD" on my ALLI:
Monday - Retorqued bolts per TSB #1 since my VIN# falls into that batch that needs this fix. Picked up my beauty, thud was still there. Called dealer about it and set up another appointment.
Today - Dealer proceeded to do step 2 (silencer) and called me to come in to drive My Alli with the tech to make sure thud is gone. Drove it with tech and thud won't disappear. Last resort according to tech was to replace left STRUT (thats where the noise is coming from). They had the part available and asked if i could wait for an hour for them to intall. Within 45 minutes service guy was so happy to inform me that the cynical thud is gone (hopefully forever). Drove My ALLI and sure enough thud is gone. Felt like ride and handling is now smoother than ever.
Will let you all know should the evil "THUD" shows its face once more.:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: |
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| vip9 |
DMor: thanks. I ran it through speed bumps which used to be "100% certain" to replicate thud. Not this time. I will have to pay extra attention as to when exactly I hear it. Even if it is a specific bump in the entire fine city of New York, I will drag a tech there to demostrate the dreaded sound.
Dwong: ACS rep is from Acura Customer Care - call 800-382-2238. They have operators, regional mangers and regional tech reps. My regional manager arranged for North-East tech rep to look at my car, which, unfortunately, was not in the mood to "sing" yesterday. :(
Frantic: Good luck. Maybe all 3 fixes will rid you of the problem. I would not drink to it though for the first 1-3 weeks, as it usually came back in my case. |
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| DMor |
| vip9...has it been unusually HOT in N.Y? Just wondering if something could be expanding a little more than normal due to HEAT and masking itself? Wonder if sounds are more apparent when the weather cools. Ever tried to replicate it in the evening? Just a thought. |
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| vip9 |
Dmor, I guess I will have to apply my analytic abilities. It used to be so simple in the past, all I needed was a bump in the road. God bless NYC - we've got plenty of those! :)
Now I have to think!!! :(
The weather was actually "normal" the last couple of days in here.
I really want to say once again that I couldn't have been happier if the f*&^%$g thud had gone away. Alas, the fact that we were unable to replicate it yesterday for Acura rep is just another form of Murphy Law. It is there and I do hear it on occasion (much much less frequently, though)
As SPEEDY once said, he hears thud-like sounds after the last fix only when he pushes the car to the limit. I do not think that's true in my case. |
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| remery |
vip9,
You once described your thud as M&Ms dropped in a coffee cup. After the fixes, has the sound morphed to something different or same ole thing just less frequent. My infrequent thud and creaks do not even come close to that sound. Just makes me wonder if you problem is different from the rest of us which is why they have not been able to fix it finally. Once could attribute it to the lousy streets in Brooklyn but I would be surprised at how much worse they are than the frontage road I drive on every day so that's not the answer. You have a base model compared to my touring which has different wheels and tires and I believe weighs slightly more i.e. possibly different resonant freqencies. Also, has anyone who picked theirs up earlier than you have thud problems. If not maybe you have the alpha thud. These are all guesses at what might make your problem different from others which in turn may help to find a true fix. |
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| vip9 |
Remery,
In the last days of "active" thud :) , e.i. before the last fix about a month and a half ago, it has shaped up to sound more like what you and some others have described. I would say it's like loading a shotgun - klink-klank. That M&M example, although I am not going to backtrack and deny it now, seems less likely a sound I really heard. Then, again, I never had a "music ear" anyway. Sometimes, listening to music, I would think it's a piano, when in reality it's a base guitar. :) (well, maybe it's not THAT severe, but I hope you get the idea)
That fix (installing coil insulators) really did a good job - the thud is at least 80% gone. I know that Acura rep would not fix my car herself, nor probably would she be able to tell mechanics how to do their jobs, but had she heard the damn sound, I am sure the solution would come much faster and easier.
Interestingly enough, even BEFORE you mentioned thud-like sounds in the rear suspension of your car, both my wife and I noticed it in ours. It is much more faint and much less frequent, but, it's ALIVE!
Good luck with your repairs. Keep us all posted.
Unless I can consistently replicate my thud, I consider this issue not closed, but, rather, suspended for now.
You will not hear any more whining from me on this subject. :) (for now) |
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| MDXDMX |
I've posted several comments regarding my thud experiences shortly after purchase in January. After several complaints and 12,000 miles, we recently brought the MDX in for scheduled maintenance. I told the manager that my $45,000 eight month old vehicle sounds like a $1,200 15 year old truck and that this problem was getting worse and was being widely reported in this forum. I offered to send him copies of the forum's comments.
When I picked up the MDX and read the invoice, they noted my complaint about noises coming from the front-end. Their fix was, "adjusted sub-frame to factory specifications". That was it, no further details. No charge of course.
So far, after 1,000 miles, no thud. After 5,000 miles I'll feel more confident. |
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| rvehock |
| I need some advice. My MDX falls within the VIN range on the Thud TSB but I cannot replicate the thud based on the recommended identification procedures in the TSB. No matter how had I try I cannot get any noise at all out of the front end. If I take my MDX to my dealer with the TSB will they be able to help me even if they also cannot replicate the THUD?? If anyone has any advice on how to replicate the THUD please let me know as I have tried everything that I can. |
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| wmquan |
I assume you're kidding. If not:
I am your doctor. You say it hurts when you do that? Hmmmm.
Well, then, don't do that! |
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| remery |
vip9 etal,
I took mine in on Tueday to get the thud and several other problems fixed. Interestingly, the Service Advisor was well aware of the TSB and said it require retorquing bolts were too tight resulting in over compression of the rubber bushings on top of the strut hitting the metal frame. I haven't read the TSB but that was not my understanding of what it required. I thought dealers were to replace the bushings and retorque the bolts. In any case I have not noticed the thud in two days of driving so maybe it will work. However, I now have a pronounced thud in the rear that the dealer didn't even acknowledge in the service ticket. I am not sure whether this is the gas tank sloshing or actually a problem with the suspension.
Eventhough they did not fix several things I asked them too the customer treatment was some of the best I have had. Instead of having to wait in front of a service counter over the noise of impact wrenches, they had two SA offices right inside the door to sit down and tell them your problems. Got a Acura TL loaner which was pretty nice and they washed my car which was filthy. Couple of other interesting and subtle touches. First the SA's picture was on the bottom of each page of the ticket and second the cashier asked me first to look over the ticket before she ran my credit card. But the best of all, when I checked their web site, one of the salesman was offering a free Acura Stainless Steel Travel Mug for just coming into the dealer and asking for him by name. With certificate in hand I proclaimed that I wanted to be mugged and where was the salesman. He showed up, went to parts to get the mug, which is now resting in my driver's side cup holder. |
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| vip9 |
1. Congratulations on good service experience. Acura TL sounds good as a loaner. (I got a beat-up Pontiac Grand AM :()
Since I serviced my Subaru at the same dealer (the service entrance was just across the street from Acura's), I cannot say that their service is *MUCH* better than Subaru's. The only difference, they give a free car wash coupon IF YOU ASK FOR IT. (As you all know I had plenty of opportunities to experience their service, and, asking for that coupon, I felt so "cheap". I did not even bother last time) I certainly expected more from the service experience in general, especially after hearing rave stories from my Infinity-owner friends.
2. With all the time you spend on this site, how come you did not read the TSB. I am not going to paste a link, just do a little searching. It is quite enlightening, IMO.
3. Retorquing did it for me for a week. After that, it would come back. Give it some time... :(
4. Sorry to hear about the rear sounds you have. I also "hear" something, but it is so faint and rare that I do not want to be ridiculed again if I show up at the dealer "unprepared"
Good luck. |
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| remery |
quote:
Originally posted by vip9
...2. With all the time you spend on this site, how come you did not read the TSB. I am not going to paste a link, just do a little searching. It is quite enlightening, IMO....Good luck.
vip9,
You shamed me into reading the TSB and what they did was not what they should of. Retorquing bolts is for your vintage MDX, not mine which has a 23XXX vin so they should have replaced the spring tubes and/or dampers. These would have required them to have or order parts. If I wanted to be really nasty, I could call Acura CS and tell them they shouldn't reimburse the dealer for this work since it was the wrong fix for my vehicle. However, I had another agenda in taking it in. I wanted to see how good they were at diagnosing and fixing problems without any helpful hints from me which they scored much lower in my mind that how I was treated. There is another dealer not much further than they are which is probably where I will take it next time for service. However, since I believe they are open today, I have a mind to go over there with the TSB and service ticket and question them about the fix in light of the wording of the TSB. You see here in Chicago, unlike Brooklyn, we don't get upset, we just get even!:D:D
BTW, your M&M in a coffee mug decription is in one of the earlier posts on this thead and jives with what they call problem A.:eek: |
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| remery |
Went into the service department last Saturday with the TSB in hand and politely discussed my disappointment in not getting some of the problems fixed including the thud. The SA's response "let's schedule an appointment since I only want you to be a happy customer." Here are some other things that might be of interest to some of you:
- This dealer wasn't even going to file a warranty claim for the work done on the thud since Acura allows only 0.2 hours to fix which is about $15 and it costs them $25 just to write up the claim form.
- The driver's seat problem was not fixed so he order the seat rail assembly while I was sitting there. Turns out the part is on national backorder which tells me a lot more folks than Rail have this problem
- There was a chart of Acura accounts/codes on the back wall of the SA. The top section was titled "Customer Contention Codes" I believe. I thought this was an interesting choice of words and unless it is the result of a poor translation from Japanese to English, may be a glimpse of how Honda views its service obligation. Contention connotes "not so" while problem would have connoted that the customer might be right. I may be reading to much into this like an English Major's doctorial thesus but I found it interesting.
- Since Acura has codes for tracking problems that are diligently recorded by service departments, ACS has absolutely no position claiming that they are unaware of problems. I am of course assuming that their accounting data is queriable and that they are people monitoring this. So next time any of you call ACS and get "Not on my Shift" ask them to run a problem code report from the Accounting System.
- I had a door ding removed by the paintless dent removal vendor they use. I ask the SA how they did it and he told me that the guys use a number of long thin rods with various shaped tips that are inserted through panel openings to push the ding out from the inside. I thought that was pretty cool and I cannot even find the spot where the Silver Dollar sized ding was.
Hope some of you find these factoids useful or interesting. |
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