GI Joe wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I bought a 2001 Civic from a dealer about 5 weeks ago. All was fine
> until the day before yesterday, driving down the M1 I started hearing
> creaking coming from what sounded like under the driver's seat. When I
> was off the motorway, the sound was much more noticeable, and seemed
> to be worse when just moving off, switching from first to second, or
> when going over bumps. Basically it sounded like something was hanging
> loose and swinging when the car moved. By the time I'd driven another
> few miles the sound was terrible, like a constent grinfing whenever I
> set off from standing , through first to second. After that there was
> general squeaking going over bumps, etc.
>
> I was staying away from home, so decided to see how it was on teh way
> back up before taking it to the dealer. When Is tarted off, it sounded
> fine, no problems at all. After about 20 minutes on the M1 the
> squeaking came back, but there was no grinding as the previous day. I
> took it to the dealer and went for a drive with the mechanic. The
> squeaking was there, but not half a bad as it was the day before - I'm
> not sure if he believed me, but never mind.
>
> Getting the car on the ramp he deduced it was a worn washer on the
> heat shield, and replaced it with a bigger one. I drove the short
> distance home and didn't notice any problem. This morning driving to
> work, however, I notice the sound was back. Obviously teh car needs to
> be 'warmed up' before the problem appears. Has anyone had anything
> similar? I was thinking it could be something with the suspension, but
> would this get worse the longer the journey, and then disappear
> overnight?
>
> Any help you could give before I go back to the dealer again would be
> helpful.
>
> Cheers.

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Another guy had similar noises and it turned out to be a bad weld joint
under the driver's door. It drove him NUTS trying to figure it out. I'm
guessing your driver's door is on the right side, yes? What's your mileage?

'Curly'