Rear clunk or squeak over bumps: trailing arm bushing or gusset bolts (TSB 00-006, 00-058)

Added 2026-10-26 · Updated 2026-10-26

Symptoms

Clunk or squeak from the rear over bumps or driveway entries.

Cause

Honda lists a broken rear trailing arm bushing (1988-2000 Civic) and, on 1996-98 cars, loose or dry rear gusset mounting bolts behind the rear seat.

Fix (summary)

Check the gusset bolts first (lubricate and tighten), then replace the trailing arm bushing 52385-SR3-000 if it is broken.

Related parts

• Honda rear trailing arm bushing 52385-SR3-000 (1988-2000 Civic, 1993-97 del Sol)

Related build entries

• EK Civic first steps: recalls, airbags and wheel torque
• EK reliability checks from Honda bulletins

Other EK problems

• Recall 96V-106: brake booster check valve can stick (1996)
• Recall 97V-193: passenger airbag assembled wrong (1997-98)
• Recall 99E-015: accessory floor mat can catch the accelerator (1996-98)
• Recall 02V-120: ignition switch contacts can wear (1998-2000)
• Recalls 20V-026 / 20V-027: driver airbag inflator (1996-2000)
• Recalls 01V-380 / 02V-051: faulty rear seat belt buckles (2000)

More for this car

• All Honda Civic EK (1996-2000) fitment answers · EK common problems
• Newsletter archive: past issues with every new and corrected entry

Sources

• Honda TSB 00-006: Rear suspension clunk/squeak on bumps (1988-2000 Civic, 1993-97 del Sol, 1997-01 CR-V) — American Honda (service bulletin) via Operation CHARM (mfr spec; read 2026-10-26; full page read)
• Honda TSB 00-058: Squeak from the rear seat area (1996-98 Civic) — American Honda (service bulletin) via Operation CHARM (mfr spec; read 2026-10-26; full page read)

Summaries are in our own words. Not repair instructions; consult the factory service manual.

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