Elistan

What exactly is causing this and how is it properly fixed?

In TSB 011201, Honda says to re-torque the spindle nut to 220 lb-ft. This ameliorates the issue, but does not entirely fix it. We just did this with my girlfriend's S and it still pops, but not as often. Had the dealer do that to my car a few years ago and it still popped - better yet the wheel bearing went out shortly thereafter. The TSB does not explain the cause of the pop, or how the higher torque spec is supposed to fix this.

Speaking of wheel bearings, I've been told that the popping is the inner race of the wheel bearing slipping against the hub. If that's the case, I'm thinking that the bearing gets damaged from the forces put on the bearing during hard acceleration, braking and turning. I guess the bit of force imparted by starting up is enough to bind up the bearing enough to make it slip?

And there's also this thread https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=241367, which says that all that's needed is to put a little grease on the axle splines where they go into the hub. I don't understand what it could be about the splines that cause the popping, however.

So what is it? What REALLY causes the popping noise?

S2KL33N

I just spent over $2K in parts in the last year working on the rear end. What is her setup and driving habits?

I've came across bearing, axle, and differential noises. Everything from gradual through excessive wear on these parts and I don't even auto-x like maybe you do.

How often do you have this "pop?" If it's really the spline, do you notice any scores?

Elistan

From what I can tell, it's the same axle pop/creak that Honda says to address by re-torquing the axle nut to 220 lb-ft.

The noise happens anytime the car accelerates (easiest to hear when starting from a stop).

jojipoji

PM billman. He fixed mine for me. He swapped out the ends of the axles. Has to do with the bearings getting pitted. I had the tsb, the spindle nut etc...but he was able to fix my problem.

S2KL33N

I'm guessing the bearings too. Maybe inner or outer???

Did you notice any differential metal shavings or metal bits lately? Hopefully it's not he teeths inside the diff that's causing the "pops."

Is it a repetitious poping noise? Grinding? Thuds? Louder as you speed up or slow down, or is it constant? From sitting inside the car, it's can very misleading where the direction is coming from. I know this from having to change my bearing, each side at different times and noise changes with the top up and down.

Reason being, it could not be your axle at all: see what Yadis wrote half way down on this thread:

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showt...5&#entry9902621

It could not be as simple as using a stethoscope on a lift to find the problem because it could require friction/resistence to the wheel closest to the area causing the problem to obtain that reverse effect of "popping."

Billman250

Let's start with this.

If done correctly, and the axle nut has never been touched, the stake mark should move from the 12 oclock to the 2 oclock position.

Where's yours at?

Billman250

To answer....the popping noise is the spline shifting/turning in the hub.

Elistan

When you say "swapped the end of the axles" do you mean he swapped the inner CV joint cups from one side to the other because they get pitted from the roller bearing spider? I've done that too, if that's what you're referring to. It's an entirely different issue, however.

This is the axle creak/pop issue discussed in the following threads:

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.ph...&f=22&t=206890
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.ph...&f=22&t=191576
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.ph...T&f=9&t=450363
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.ph...&f=47&t=489901
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.ph...ST&f=1&t=70196
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.ph...&f=22&t=231201

I'm trying to determine if the noise is from the bearing's inner race slipping on the hub, or the axle splines rubbing against the hub, or some other entirely different source.

Elistan

Thanks, didn't see your post while I was composing the above one of mine.

So you think there's no need to replace the wheel bearing at this time? We used a brand new axle nut, for what it's worth, so I don't know how much further the old one would have rotated.