Popping From Front Wheel Upper Control Arm Mount

SOURCE:
Honda Service News September 2004

TITLE:
Popping From Front Wheel Upper Control Arm Mount.

APPLIES TO:
2000-04 S2000

SERVICE TIP:
If you've got a customer complaint of an oil canning or popping noise under hard cornering or braking, look for a gap between the front wheel upper control arm mounting brackets and the frame rail they're spot welded to. If your customer frequently drives the vehicle on race tracks or in autocross events, a gap like this can form.



To fix this problem, here's what you do:

1. Raise the front of the vehicle, and remove the front wheels.

2. Straighten out the frame rail by placing a block of wood on the bracket spot welds and then striking the block firmly with a 48-ounce hammer.

3. Remove the paint from the side of the bracket and the joining frame rail.

4. Stitch a MIG weld bead along the side of the bracket where it touches the frame rail. (You may need to disconnect the brake line and move it out of harm's way.)

5. Refinish the paint to prevent corrosion.

6. If necessary, reconnect the front brake line(s), and bleed the brakes. Reinstall the wheels.