1986 Honda CRX-is front axle dynamic damper bad?

When I drive the car there is a strong rhythmic and regular noise, and vibration from
the left front side, a noise that sounds like it comes from something rotating. I've
checked the wheel and it looks ok, no wheel bearing play or noise. On the left drive
axle there is a round rubber donut looking device called a dynamic damper...same on the
right drive axle. The right one is very solid and inflexible with no obvious cracks.
The left side one is soft, very flexible, and has some good cracks.

Is it possible that an old dynamic damper can cause noise and vibration as I described?
The noise is worse at lower speeds when I take my foot off the pedal and is enough of a
noise/vibration that it doesn't feel like I should be driving the car very far.

Anyone care to express an opinion?

John

 

Usually those dampers don't cause problems unless somehow the come loose.
Then they will slide down the axle and make all kinds of noise. Even then,
if you just remove it you will usually be ok.

 

Jafir,

Thanks for the answer. The damper isn't really loose just cracked and floppy...I didn't
think it could cause that kind of noise but who knows? That still leaves me with the
noise. With nothing else obvious what's that leave me with? What is there that's
rotating besides the tire, the rim, the CV joint, and the wheel bearing(s). I'm very
familiar with VW noises but not Honda noises, and a VW CV joint never sounds like this
and a VW wheel bearing would have to be broken up to make this kind of noise and
vibration, and then there would be alot of play in the wheel...which there isn't in this
case. I tried jacking the car up and running it in gear but couldn't get the noise to
occur. This is a puzzler...could it be a loose caliper? (but the brakes don't pull).

John

 

John,
Try placing the right front side up on a block and moving various items
back and forth to determine how they are suppose to feel when everything
is working normally. After that, put the left side up on a block do the
same thing. You may find an item that feels or looks very differently than
what you found on the right side. If so, you have found the source of the
problem. Believe it or not, mechanics use this trick but it's easier for
them since they have the car on a lift and don't have to use jacks or
blocks.

Jason

 

I noticed something similar in my civic. 3 weeks ago I replaced the front
disc and when the discs were out of the car, I rotated the hub and I could
feel the same vibration from the CV joints. I believe is the bearings that
make that noise, and I can feel it when driving at 40 MPH or so, once I get
the car in a stable speed. It's the rhythmic sound, and the vibration comes
and goes and you feel it in the steering wheel. My CV joint boot are in a
very good shape, no cracks, no leaks, it's just that I think the bearings
are having to much friction.
I hope somebody else has an idea what the problem is.