What did you do to your Accord? Does it still use original springs and wheel?

MajBach wrote:

> Hi all! I have a serious reoccurring problem with my 1996, Honda Accord
> (2-dr, 5-speed). At 230,000 kms, it is in need of it's 7th wheel bearing.
> About three years ago, the Px side rear bearing started to act up; I
> replaced it. A year later and 30,000+ kms, later, the same bearing went
> again. And again, the same bearing one year later. About two weeks ago, my
> front driver's side started to act up. I replaced it today as it was really
> starting to get loud. To my surprise, on the drive home, the whining sound
> is still there but not as loud. The mechanic at the dealer stated on the
> invoice that he checked the right rear bearing and it indeed needed to be
> replaced (again). However, I don't think he checked the driver's side rear
> bearing as it is also making noise (I am getting good at diagnosing which
> bearing is acting up). That will make is seven bearings in only 115,000
> kms!
> I have spoken with 4 service managers or Honda mechanics way back when I was
> only on my fourth bearing. All state that this is highly unusual. One told
> me to contact Honda Canada. I did. They may as well have laughed at me, as
> it was quite clear that even though they admitted it was unusual, there was
> nothing they could do and I should be complaining to a service manager.
> I am not willing to let this go. I have owned 6 different Honda vehicles. I
> have only ever changed 1 bearing before - eve r- and that was on a '79
> accord; it need new rotors and the bearing had seized onto the rotor; the
> bearing was still ok. All of my previous cars have lasted to the 400,000-km
> mark too. I also own a 90-hp Honda outboard motor and various other Honda
> products. I believe I am entitled to a little more customer loyalty.
> Does anybody have some suggestions or contacts for my next step?
> One more thing and this may sound a little funny. Through the course of
> speaking to other people about this problem I have heard an interesting
> diagnosis from two different people. They state that a bad ground can cause
> premature bearing failure. The logic is that the engine is on rubber
> mounts - electrically isolated from the frame. If the frame builds a static
> electric charge, the only course it can take to the engine is to arc through
> the bearings. It sounds so ridiculous that it might actually be true.
> Ironically, one of the first things I noticed with this car was that I
> always got one helluva shock whenever I exited the vehicle. Whaddya think?