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2012 Honda Pilot — single clunk over small sharp bumps

ShopDriverCommunity StarterJun 14, 20262012 Honda Pilot EX-LBay Area
There is one front-end clunk over pothole edges and driveway lips, but larger smooth bumps do not reproduce it. How would you isolate end links, strut mounts, control-arm bushings and ball joints?
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5 replies

DealHaulerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterJun 14, 2026permalink
I wouldn't throw parts yet. Capture voltage while the 2012 Honda Pilot is actually failing — after it restarts you've lost the clue. You'll know quickly if you're on the wrong tree. Happy to compare notes if your setup is different. Worth doing even if the car feels fine right now. I keep a notes app thread for this now.
TorqueCommuter472Community StarterCommunity StarterJun 14, 2026permalink
Log the conditions before you spend. Write temp, speed, and in-gear vs coast when the 2012 Honda Pilot does it — then decide on parts. You'll know quickly if you're on the wrong tree. On “single clunk over small sharp bumps,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Happy to compare notes if your setup is different. If your situation is the opposite, ignore me. Only after sitting overnight so far.
PistonRoadie235Community StarterCommunity StarterJun 15, 2026permalink
Not convinced that's the whole story. If a shop can't duplicate it on the 2012 Honda Pilot, bring a video plus freeze-frame data, not just a story. That's the branch I'd chase this week. Run the total, not the monthly, before you commit. That's my plan before I call anyone.
DealHaulerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterJun 15, 2026permalink
Same neighborhood, different next step: Move a coil or plug on the 2012 Honda Pilot if it's cylinder-specific and see whether the code follows. If the cheap test changes it, stop and reassess. This is from a 2012 Honda Pilot in Bay Area. Post the numbers (or the code) and people can get more specific. I'd sleep better after that step, even if it finds nothing. Trying not to diagnose from the couch.
ShopDriverCommunity StarterCommunity StarterJun 16, 2026permalink
OP update: scanned the 2012 Honda Pilot again and still only have the one pending code, no new lights. If it repeats twice more I'll book time.
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