By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
Problem #1: Squeaking clutch pedal.
Solution: Clutch piston shaft lubricated. Problem not only solved, but the clutch pedal action much smoother than ever. Quick and simple. (Why on earth are dealers, as some report, replacing the hydraulic components?)
Problem #2: Creaking steering at slow speeds (aka “coffin creak” :-)
Solution: (Tentative) “Re-torque the damper shafts.” That’s Brit-speak for properly torquing the bolts securing the front struts/shocks. See further thoughts on this below.
Regarding #2 above, I found the creaking noise unlike anything I could think of that would require strut replacement as some dealers have done as instructed by one TSB, apparently. Our ’02 Si creaked at low speeds and large steering deflection, such as in parking maneuvers. Low speed sharp turns produced creaking towards the end of the steering travel. We had this for some time, but it went away. Haven’t heard it in awhile.
But we took the Si in for it’s first and only warranty service to correct a few problems that we accumulated over the first 33,000+ miles. We’ve subsequently learned that there have been a couple of TSBs that may address this problem. The first TSB recommended strut replacement, which at least one member here had done. I was skeptical that strut replacement was necessary. Apparently, the second TSB notes that at least one bolt securing the struts had not been properly torqued at the factory during assembly.
Now THAT makes sense to this man. The creaking comports with something not being quite tight enough. Not so loose as to “clunk,” but just barely not-quite-tight-enough to “creak.” Our mechanic, an ex-Trans-Am crew chief (very, very good, in other words), pursued our “complaint,” found the second TSB, checked the bolts, and found that “Yes!” one of the locking bolts (gold anodized, he said) was not tightened properly. He re-torqued them for each strut.
So, did that fix our problem? Can’t say, since the creaking had already gone away. All the same, he found “loose” bolts, and torqued them to spec.
I’ll be surprised if this problem recurs.
I love this mechanic; he’s a can-do, solution-oriented, honest professional. He’s the best, I trust him, and I’ll follow him to whatever dealership he goes to so long as he can work on our cars on the rare occasion they need attention beyond the work I can do.)
Naturally, those who had struts replaced (probably needlessly) also presumably had the new struts PROPERLY bolted in, which solved the problem, too, but it likely had nothing to do with the new struts -- just proper installation. The Brits don’t have a good reputation for bolting automobiles together.
I’d be interested in reading whether these solutions to these two troublesome problems work for the rest of you, too.
Let me know, won’t you, please?
I believe Honda corporation means well, but sometimes they need guidance, as do all of us owners out here who enjoy our fine cars and just want them to work, as I like to put it: as well as the design and materials permit. (Actually, that’s asking a great deal. I’m demanding. ;-)
Kauai (a satisfied Honda Si owner this evening :-)
1. The clutch froze twice when it was real cold this winter. I guess froze is the wrong word, it felt like stepping on a sponge. After the car warmed it returned to normal. (10 min)
2. Condensation in passenger lens. Turning light doesn't seat right. (Damn potholes.)
3. Glanced a deer. Lost a mirror. Picked up a couple of dents.
4. Mice love my air filter. But I am persistant and it is clean.
I beat the crap out of this car. It still runs well. I am good with washing it and chaging the oil. I wish the trasmission wasn't so close. Or a six speed. That would save big bucks on fuel. I always keep the car next to empty so no extra weight.
Thanks a lot
Disappointed SI owner
I am hoping that someone out there might be having similar problems. Seeing a this should never happen to a new car and I know I did not cause this damage, I am hoping to get the car replaced because of faulty manufacturing.
Please let me know if you are having any issue like this and what your opinion is.
My problems have been a couple. I had this horrible sound coming from the clutch, like something needed to be lubed. This noise in mid 2003. Then at the same time this short creak/click noise will come from the steering column when applying a lot of torque to the front wheels (if the car is loaded with somewhat heavy items, or 4 adults in the car, or let's say racing). I have taken the car to the dealer since mid 2003 (i purchased it in june 2002). About the clutch, same thing than yours, just lubrication. About the other noise, dealer coulnd't find it. When my warranty was about to expire (last june) i took it to the dealer again, and they couldn't find it. So they noted on my file that i have taken the car some 5 or 6 times and they just don't hear the noise i complain about. So last month i took it in once again, until the mechanic in charge of the dealer went for a ride with ME riding, and he finally heard the noise. I took it in, and after one week i got my car back. They changed the struts (both) engine mounts, and clutch cilinder.
The clutch now works like a charm. no problems at all. but the creaking noise it was still there.
To be more precise on describing the noise, like i said it started at the steering wheel with a tiny vibration when riding it rough, and then it got louder and you can tell that it comes from somewhere in the front.
Next week ki'm taking it again and we'll see what is all about...
Thanks in advance !
ps. I have a used Grand Cherokee in my future. Any recommendations on best model year ?
Though i don't have the 'coffin creak' problem, I have some clunking on my '03 Si. The clunk sound tends to occur when driving over potholes or otherwise bumpy roads. I am curious to know exactly what it is that was tightened if you know. I want to try to tighten it before I try to get struts replaced out of warranty.
Satisfied, but can't stand the clunk... :confuse:
2,200 miles. The break in was basically easy under 4000 rpm's for 600 miles. I do notced little gray matter on the dip stick but the oil seems clean. After 600 miles between
4000-5000 rpm's. Haven't went over 5000 rpm's to date. 5000 once after break-in. This soumd about normal for break-in?
Can anyone give me any help in figuring out what is wrong with my car? Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Well, they did nothing about it.
There has been a noise is the back end, right after it was purchased, because of someone stopping in front when the brakes where hit, one side locked up.
The passenger window got to where it would not go up or down
It was taken in because it was wearing tires really badly. They said there wasn't a problem with the car.
Now after the 2nd set of tires in a year and a half and only because of running over a deer, the car has been found to have a defect in the back. The mechanic found that it could never be aligned because of the defect so he had to find a way to fix it.
This was not the Honda mechanic, but the one hired by the insurance company.
We have been on the phone with Honda and they tried to blame the tire manufacture. The problem is that there is more than one tire company involved. Tell you something?
After stating that attorneys may be involved, they started to listen.
We own 5 Hondas at the present in our family and are growing weary of what we are finding out with this company and may have to have an attorney this time.
We have finally figured out that the service techs are told to state on arrival in some cases "you are abusing your car"
If you have had any of these problems, especially with tires wearing to fast, please let me know.
Also, those of you who are having such problems need to let the ones who give Honda such a high rating a complaint because they seem to stay on top, but I am hearing a lot more complaints than seems to show in Honda's standing in the industry.
I personally have owned 5 myself, not any at the present, so I love the car, but the service and the denial of responsibility is beginning to change my mind
Right now Im' having troubles with power (I think). When I depress the brakes, or perhaps have hte rear defrost on, or even turn on the radio, the RPM's will decrease. It's coming to the point when I'm running all these items at the same time the internal dashboard lights are all dimmer. If I look closely the daytime running lights dim when I press the brakes as well. i'm not sure where to begin diagnosis... I think I'm hearing a belt rattle when the car is first started and its cold (alternator region right in front fo the driver).
The only thing I've done recently is add a stereo system. Only a little mini sub is running on my amp but I have connected directly to the battery.....Perhaps the contacts are worn?
Any thoughts what this could be? thanks in advance.
Is this normal? I am concerned that if the a/c is on simultaneously that I'll lose mileage/performance.
I'd recommend the honda over the mazdaspeed any day. Unless you like to pay for the gas and the engine that isn't proven- supercharged engines usually don't last. (Although a Mazdaspeed3 will beat you every time off the line - but then you don't abuse your car so you won't care...)
just FYI - no paint problems or problems of any kind - it still looks as good as the day I bought it, and I live in Ohio!
Also, i definitely wouldnt buy the mazdaspeed 3, ive test driven it a couple times, it isnt nearly as fun to drive, and i think its one of the ugliest cars on the road. i dont even think ive seen one on the road here. They would have actually sold them if they put that turbo 260hp engine in the mmazda 3 sedan, not that ugly twinkie hatch. the interior is so dull, and shifting is a pain compared to how fun the Si is. I didnt get to try the leather interior one, but the cloth plastic one is terrible, the seats feel like cardboard. I absolutely love the seats in the Si, it was as if they built them specifically for me.
Why would you write off Honda just because of one dealer's actions? It isn't like Honda did that to your car.
The side moulding on my '03 SIR came loose a few days ago, and I'm looking for the stainless steel bar(s) that are affixed to the rocker panel which the side moulding clips on to. I bought the car off-lease and I guess the previous owner had the same problem and had the side mouldings attached using two-way tape and some kind of adhesive. Naturally this was a temporary solution and it has since failed. I have not been able to find these stainless steel bars ANYWHERE; each of the honda parts sites I have visited have shown the equivalent parts for the '04 Civic SiR, but they changed the design in '04 such that the moulding is screwed into the rocker panel (instead of being hinged on this stainless steel bar I'm looking for). Below is a link to the schematic for the '04 Civc moulding (notice the part labelled 16/18: it bolts to the rocker panel).
2004 Civic SiR Moulding Side - Sill Garnish
Does anybody know where I can get the stainless steel bars that would be affixed to the rocker panel that the side moulding clips onto?
Desperately,
Dave
I later found out that the part I'm looking for is part of a kit and is for the "side under spoiler". www.handa-accessories.com stocks the whole kit but they won't sell me the pieces I need. So it's either $400 or I find some non-permanent way to fix it.