Hi, I've got a '90 Accord DX. Lately, my car's front end is clomping (making a noise) a bit and I'm getting a small shake through the steering wheel as well when I go over bumps.

It's the exact feeling I *normally* equate with bad strut mounts, but looking around online, nobody seems to sell the actual bearing plates that bolt to the body, only the rubber isolator/washer/collar kits, which are very cheap ($10 each). These:

Are those what I need on this car?

The design of the front suspension on these cars is admittedly a bit different than what I'm used to. The car doesn't wallow/float in high speed turns/aggressive U-turns, nor has the ride gone to pot, and it passes the 'fender push-down test' nicely and nothing is leaking from the shocks, so I think the actual dampers are fine.

I did notice when pushing on the car with the hood open that the visible upper rubber isolator did seem to compress/move a lot, allowing a certain degree of motion for the shock absorber.

 

how old are your shocks?
and are they bad?

 

I don't know how old they are, but they don't appear to be as old as the car.

I've driven cars with shot shocks, and my car doesn't feel that way.

From my first post: "The car doesn't wallow/float in high speed turns/aggressive U-turns, nor has the ride gone to pot, and it passes the 'fender push-down test' nicely and nothing is leaking from the shocks, so I think the actual dampers are fine."

 

Well, I'd replace the isolators you mentioned AND while you're in there, replace the isolator between the spring and top hat.



You want (2) of #9, Honda P/N 51686-SM4-004 (SHOWA) or 51686-SM1-A02 (YUSA). The latter are cheaper for some reason, but you likely have Showa parts, if it even matters. If it's still clunking, you may want to check ball joints and bushings.

 

Your shocks don't twist along with the steering, so there are no bearing plates like you have with most McPherson struts.