Hello Car Talk Friends,
I need help FAST! I have a 2004 Honda Pilot and has 150,000 miles on it. When I turn the steering wheel sitting still or driving. it makes a fire rapid recession, metal on metal repeated knocking noise. Honda said it could be the bushings, tie rod and U joints. I go tomorrow to get it fixed and need to know if any Car Talk friends have had this before. What could it be? Any thoughts on the problem?
A bad upper strut bearing can make that kind of noise.
Tester
Help? To tell you what is wrong on car we can’t see?
If you are worried get estimates from 2 places.
When they give you a diagnosis so for an explanation. If you don’t understand, ask for further explanation and tell them what you are confused about. You don’t have to understand exactly what they are saying, but you need to know that their story doesn’t have any holes in it. It may help to see the area that they isolated the problem to.
I used to work with a salesman that didn’t have much technical knowledge but he was great at asking questions. By the end of our conversations I was convinced that he knew what I was talking about.
I wince when I read “need help fast”.
Car is making noise and it HAS to be fixed now?
Shop #1 may be competent. Maybe not.
But no one wants to spend time going to 1-2-3 shops to ensure proper diagnosis.
Somehow I suspect the “problem” has something to do with a 20+ year old vehicle with 150K miles and no other known maintenance history.
Has the vehicle ever had any front end or suspension work done previously? That stuff wears out and needs to be replaced eventually.
If “Honda” says it needs suspension work, I’d suggest taking it to a local, independent mechanic for a 2nd opinion and estimate. There’s no reason to take a 20 year old vehicle to the dealer, unless that’s your only option.