[djpullup]

So I've been reading around on this forum for years now but this is my first time posting.

I lowered my 2012 Accord V6 Ex-L Coupe on Tein Street Advance coilovers about 3 weeks ago and have been experiencing some shaking between 20-30mph while on the throttle. It becomes less noticeable, the faster I go.

Everything I've read pointed towards there being an issue with the CV Axles. I had the passenger side changed, followed by the driver side and the problem is still there. (New Axles from Car Quest were used.)

I raised the car a bit to where I now have a 2 finger gap in the front. The shaking is not as bad I think, but its certainly still there.

I'm at a lost as to what the next step is now, as all the threads I've seen on this issue, have ended with no solution.

Any help at all would be greatly appreciated. I've seen many 8th gen coupes lower than I am right now, so I'm sure there's a solution out there somewhere.

Note: Stock 18" wheels and only other mod is Takeda SRI
SPC Camber Kit installed and Alignment is within Spec

Thanks!!

 

[Jay1]

You bought 60 dollar axles from advanced auto is the problem. Do not EVER use aftermarket axles when lowering a car. You need OEM axles. Most parts of the car can use aftermarket stuff except axles

 

[RickBlaine]

You bought 60 dollar axles from advanced auto is the problem. Do not EVER use aftermarket axles when lowering a car. You need OEM axles. Most parts of the car can use aftermarket stuff except axles

So true, it should be a sticky....

Axles turn at high revolutions per minute. They must be perfectly balanced or you will get vibration. These lower-quality aftermarket axles are made (really, poorly recycled) for "errand boys, sent by grocery clerks to collect a bill." That is a reference to the movie Apocalypse Now.

The cost of Honda axles is higher. Very tempting to go with an aftermarket brand. Don't! On the 7th Gen forums, about 50% of the aftermarket axles vibrate the day they are installed. Another 40% start vibrating within 6 months. About 10% get lucky.

Like drugs or buying a new Chevy- just don't do it.

 

[crmplex]

iv seen this happen over and over again with aftermarket axles used on Hondas. After banging our heads agains the wall, instaling new Honda parts usually does the trick. You get what you pay for almost every time.

 

[Jay1]

i bought my new OEM honda axles from bernardi part honda for 145 per side. its honestly not that much money. Plus, this gives you Honda warranty on them because you bought a new genuine honda part

 

[Jesk]

Jay1 do you mind sharing a link. When I changed my axle the chepest one I found was almost 300 hundred

 

[djpullup]

Thanks for the info. i was just sitting here banging my head telling myself i should have bit the bullet and paid for OEM axles. When I had originally called honda bout the Axles they told me $500 per side.. -_- . I recent realized that Honda Parts at Honda Parts Now | Genuine OEM Honda Auto Parts has them for $350 per side. Still expensive, but much better.

I still have the OEM axles so I'm contemplating, either finding somewhere to get new CV joints put on them, or going ahead and getting new OEM Axles from hondapartsnow.

Either way, i want to be sure that I am actually having an Axle problem and that new OEM Axles will solve it, before I go spending $350 a piece plus labor.

Also, could the OEM ones I had on really not been able to handle the car being lowered? I only have about 34k Miles on them and i know people run axles for over 100k

 

[Jesk]

Since u r on the same boat as me let me tell you my story. Bought aftermarket axle twice and gone to garbage in a year for both. Bought oem axle and shake continue. Before anyone judge me yes I did road force balance after first set of aftermarket axle and still. Change the tires still the same. Forgot to mention that I change the lower arms for aftermarket ones because it was easier and same price as changing the compliance bushing and still shakes. I kept my oem lower arms so I bought the bushings for the arms and put them back on. Shake is almost gone and honestly I think that I need to replace my tires again. I will recomend to check your compliance bushing. Unfortunately it is hard to tell if they are bad unless the rip is noticeable. In case of my bushings there was a rip on the lower part in one of them and the other had no rip but a lot of play compare to the new one. I will say there might not be the best but it does the work compare to aftermarket

 

[djpullup]

@ Jeskmo - Its interesting that out of all the things you tried, the compliance bushings made the biggest difference. I wonder if it could really any of my bushings, I've been so fixated on the axle this whole time.

Should any adjustments have been made to how the bushings were preloaded when the suspension was installed? Meaning, should I have my mechanic go back, loosen the bolts for the suspension components and have them torqued to spec while loaded/compressed to ride height ?

I might stop by a honda dealership tomorrow to see what they think the issue might be.

 

[Jesk]

If you have any update let me know I would like an answer as well. Compliance bushing was a common issue on 7 th gen I think. Hkwever with 8th gen I havent heard that many. It might be an issue of a defective part and bad luck I guess

 

[ryry+]

I have this same issue, right around 25mph. I'm at about one finger gap in front (saw your pics in another thread, we have the same car minus HPF kit).

Ehh, it's probably like the steering shimmy at highway speed...just live with it. Looking at all the weight inside one front wheel, I think I found part of the issue.

 

[djpullup]

Good news for all those interested. I got the issue solved. It turned out to be the Axles.

Popped in New OEM Axles and all was well with the world. Vibration completely gone.

Moral of the story is, when you first lower your car, you might need to swap out the Axles so that they can start fresh at the new angle. Otherwise, they may vibrate due to wear that they already have from running at stock height.

Most importantly, like everyone said. NEVER use aftermarket axles on these Accords, they don't seem to like them at all.

 

[Jesk]

Do u mind sharing the link where you bought yours and did u change both or just one side

 

[djpullup]

I got them from a local dealer, covered by my warranty (I was surprised).... You can still get them from a dealer, but check around, their prices vary greatly.. $350 - $550 per side.

So make sure to check multiple dealers for their prices. Honda Accord Parts and Accessories at hondapartsnow.com also has them for $356 I believe , but that's plus shipping, so you might be better off getting it from a dealer. If anyone else knows a cheaper store, feel free to chime in.

They changed both my axles FYI. If you do decide to try this, I hope it works for you too. Its not cheap at all.

 

[Jesk]

Damm I am on 83000 miles so probably my warranty wont cover lol

 

[Jesk]

Anyone have the part number for the axles. I am just curious abt it

 

[ryry+]

Yep, nope...not spending $350 to get rid of the vibration. I could start throwing parts and money at it to get rid of the steering wheel vibration at highway speeds, but it's just too much and my car is only at 32k.

Good that there's a solution at least. I should be in a different car by the time they need replacement

Edit: Just looked, and they're $341 each at the cheapest lol! I should have just purchased a 335i at this rate.

 

[Jesk]

If u are at 32k and have vibrstion probably the warranty will cover u

 

[ryry+]

I would be shocked if they covered something like that under warranty. It's not like they could say "your exhaust caused the A/C compressor to blow its seals" which is against the law. This is a case of the aftermarket part causing what could be a warranty issue

The first clue would be that they wouldn't be able to get the lift arms under the car without driving it up onto 2x4s. The next would be the bright yellow struts with red springs. The third would be looking at the angle the rear wheels are sitting at, pre camber kit and alignment

 

[djpullup]

Well, I had raised my car up pretty high. So I was pretty close to where HFP Suspension would have had me at, and I have a camber kit on the rear with in spec alignment.

still.....I think I just got lucky. I took it there just hoping for a diagnosis.

As for Part Numbers.. 2012 V6 Coupe Automatic

Right Axle: 44305-TA1-A00
Left Axle: 44306-TA1-A00
@ryry+ did your steering vibration start when you lowered or is it unrelated?