Strange noises when cold.... - Honda Forum / Acura Forum

White98LS · 01-01-2003, 03:25 PM

First, after I installed my header and cat, I got a rattle at low revs that I finally stopped by tightening various bolts except right at 1500rpm. Last weekend I took out all the exhaust heatshields, sure that those were the cause of the rattle because that's what it sounded like, but it still rattles at 1500rpm. All the exhaust bolts seem pretty tight, it's kind of a metallic vibration rattle. What do you think it is? I hope it's not the cat itself, it's a Carsound from SMSP.

Second, after I put on my 205/45/16's, I noticed that when I accelerate in 1st and 2nd (esp. with people in the back), I hear a coarse rubbing sound, sounds like the tire is rubbing the fender well but I'm not sure. I'm only lowered an inch. The perplexing thing is that this only happens when my car is cold, once it gets a little warm the sound goes away, it's not dependent on the weather either. As soon as my engine temp gets above the "C" on the gauge it goes away. Any thoughts? Thanks.

xdannyx25 · 01-01-2003, 08:07 PM

thats why i like welding exhausts instead of bolting
but you might need some washers or something, try to see the exhaust when accelerating (have a friend accel) look at the exhaust, see how to stiffin it up

the rubbing, when was it last time you had the wheels aligned

White98LS · 01-01-2003, 08:09 PM

I had an alignment done after the springs and shocks were installed, which was 16 months ago. I haven't detected a change in the way the car feels or steers since then, but that's a thought. What could it be rubbing on though? And why only when the engine's cold? That's the part I don't understand at all.

whiteintegra7 · 01-02-2003, 04:36 PM

As far as the rubbing, have you looked into a camber kit? If the tires were aligned back to factory specs, they might rub because the car is too low. I wouldn't think that the temperature would have anything to do with it, but instead how much weight is in the rear of the car. My integra rolls on 205/45/17 Kumho 712s on Konig traffiks (white) with ground control coilovers with tokico blues. It is only lowered an 1.25" or so. Yet if i have 1 person in the back, the tires will barely touch the fender over minor bumps in the road. So either make a rule that only 1 person can ride in the back, or tell your friend's to find another ride! Camber kits go for around $100. Just shop around.

White98LS · 01-02-2003, 04:40 PM

Thanks for the info. I'm only lowered 1", and my camber is 0.9 degrees all around, so I don't think camber is the problem. Plus the sound occurs with just me driving too. And it's only when the car is cold still, it's very strange. I'll check my tires to see if they have any odd wear, but last time I checked they were fine. Were your tires rubbing the inside or outside of the fender?

whiteintegra7 · 01-02-2003, 04:47 PM

They rub on the outside. Mine do rub when I am alone, say if I hit a bump when I am turning or if you take a turn a bit to fast and the body leans just enough for the fender to reach the tire. See it doesn't get that cold down here, so the temperature realy hasn't made an effect on my suspension.

White98LS · 01-02-2003, 04:51 PM

Hmmm... If anything wouldn't the cold weather make my shocks firmer?? Plus it's not the weather temp that makes it happen, it's the car. When I start from a stop, when the car is cold I have to accelerate slowly if I don't want the rubbing sound to occur. But then after about 5 minutes of driving, I can floor it and it won't make the sound, it's very very weird. I don't remember if it makes the sound or not when the car is warm and people are in the back, I should try that I guess.

White98LS · 01-04-2003, 01:44 AM

Well, after crawling under my car and hitting stuff with my hand, I finally found the source of the rattle at 1500rpm, the two upper bolts for the header bracket were loose. I tightened them about a full turn each and now there are no rattles. I still have the rubbing problem though, it really sounds like the rear tires rubbing so I guess I'll just live with it, I'm still baffled as to why it only happens when my engine is cold though. Oh well. Thanks for everyone's help.

whiteintegra7 · 01-04-2003, 09:49 PM

no problem. just play your music a bit louder...