subframe bushing or strut - 98 accord
 

my 98 accord 4 cyl has had the lower front ball joints replaced on both side. I had the front motor mount replaced. After that it is still making a rattling noise under the front of the car.

the guy who replaced the motor mount noticed one of the nuts from the subframe was backed out a bit so he tightened it and claimed that the bushings (or lack thereof) is what is causing the noise. Since I could not find any from advance/auto zone/amazon, I went to an auto shop who lifted the car and showed me a bushing (or something) at the top of the drivers side strut is separated.

1. what would cause the nut on the subframe/body mount to back off?
2. are there bearings between the subframe and frame? if so, why can't I find any?
3. could the strut be the only source of noise under the car?

subframe bushing or strut - 98 accord
 

The first picture is the stuff at the top of the front shocks. Do you see the part that's loose or broken?

There are bushings between the subframes & the body. Maybe they are dealer-only parts?

Look at the 2nd picture. There's a large cross-beam (#1) at the lower control arms. There's also another cross-beam (#9) closer to the radiator. I think those 2 are bolted to each other without bushings, but the bushings are between each of them to the car body.

Oh yeah... your 3rd question. I wouldn't presume that you have ONLY ONE source of noise. You have to look at any of the possibilities.

For the strut, looks like #11. I should've taken a picture

I'll go to the dealer tomorrow and ask about those bushings.

Thanks

Can someone help me with this? Why is it that items 6-8 are not available for a 4cyl AT accord (98) though the schematic is for an accord?
Items 50231-S87-A00, 50232-S87-A00 and 50232-SL4-000

Have you tried looking up a "strut mount" for your accord?

That's my next route. Thanks

Let us know how it works out,,,,again I just did a quick google search for "strut mount" and saw serveral choices/options.

If you are going to have to have the bushings replaced, if the car has age and miles on it and the struts have never been replaced....for the money/time/effort to replace those bushings, you might look into "loaded struts" and just replace the entire thing....strut, spring, bushings, mount.

That's the same as a "quick strut"? I've looked at that before. That seems the only resort.

Yea, they go by different names....that and I'm getting old and can't remember names:).

The bushings can be bought....I'm just saying that one would need to remove the strut, mount and that to even get to them....so why not just replace the whole thing - again assuming they are old and probably getting worn.

Most definitely. I bought the car new and can assure the struts haven't been replaced before. Mechanic guy swears it's the bushings and insulators between the subframe and frame but since I can't get any parts, that leads me to the struts.
Thanks a lot!!