Differential Fluid Change Info - Page 43

flyeveryday · 09-06-2012, 10:33 PM

ApriliaGuy, thanks so much for posting the pictures. I followed all your steps and fixed it all myself!

CACTUS24 · 09-09-2012, 07:19 AM

I just changed the rear axle and auto trans with honda dual pump II and HONDA ATF at 3 years 25,000 miles. The rear axle was o.k. The new dual pump II is certainly fresher oil, the auto trans oil was getting dirty. Don't wait for problems. The honda factory oil drain plugs are tight, use compact head 1/2 drive racket, 1/2 drive extension wobble and 1/2 to 3/8 adaper.
Hopkins FloTool 10106B/6.

Henry89 · 09-10-2012, 10:44 PM

I have a 2004 Honda ELEMENT (5DR EX (4WD SD A/B) - KA5MT) that I bought used a few years ago. It currently has 96K miles on it and I'm getting ready to change the diff and trans fluid. Ever since I got my E there's been a knocking noise that sounds like it's coming from the front right or center. It's a metal to metal sound and is mostly heard when I go over a speed bump or drive on a gravel road and go over pot wholes...I've looked and looked and can seem to find what is knocking. Had the local shop go over it and they said they couldn't find anything either. Any ideas? Could this noise be coming from the diff? The noise almost sounds like a busted shock that is bottoming out....

Elaphant1 · 10-10-2012, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henry89

I have a 2004 Honda ELEMENT (5DR EX (4WD SD A/B) - KA5MT) that I bought used a few years ago. It currently has 96K miles on it and I'm getting ready to change the diff and trans fluid. Ever since I got my E there's been a knocking noise that sounds like it's coming from the front right or center. It's a metal to metal sound and is mostly heard when I go over a speed bump or drive on a gravel road and go over pot wholes...I've looked and looked and can seem to find what is knocking. Had the local shop go over it and they said they couldn't find anything either. Any ideas? Could this noise be coming from the diff? The noise almost sounds like a busted shock that is bottoming out....

I would try another shop.

Also check the front struts for leaking fluid.

vtzdriver · 10-10-2012, 11:53 AM

I'd be willing to bet it's a sway bar bushing worn out- or possibly your exhaust system rattling on the rear sway bar.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henry89

Ever since I got my E there's been a knocking noise that sounds like it's coming from the front right or center. It's a metal to metal sound and is mostly heard when I go over a speed bump or drive on a gravel road and go over pot wholes...I've looked and looked and can seem to find what is knocking. Had the local shop go over it and they said they couldn't find anything either. Any ideas? Could this noise be coming from the diff? The noise almost sounds like a busted shock that is bottoming out....

Elaphant1 · 10-10-2012, 07:30 PM

Good call. Either way should be an easy find for a decent tech.

Just did the Diff Fluid. Gravity feed worked great!

Thanks for the post!!!

EleMN · 12-13-2012, 04:34 PM

I am sitting in the Honda dealership waiting room after returning 3 weeks after they changed my rear diff fluid and my differential is still making noise. I have about 90k miles and have kept up with the service.
I knew other places did it cheaper, but the service sales person said they do a flush that other places do not do and that would be needed to take care of the groaning sound I'm hearing. They quoted $260 for this! No, this is not even part of a package. Just a rear diff "flush" and refill that did not even solve my problem. I am happy to pay for good and knowledgeable service that saves problems later on, but Honda was more than 4 times more than other places and didn't deliver. Very disappointed.

GaryS · 12-13-2012, 04:50 PM

Flush? I'm sure we all would want to know what that entails.

EleMN · 12-13-2012, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryS

Flush? I'm sure we all would want to know what that entails.

After they looked again, they explained what was done was a "brandishing" which entailed using a fluid with a detergent and running the wheels on a lift with that, then flushing it out with rear diff fluid and finally refilling. They said that since it didn't help, I would need to replace the rear diff to fully get rid of the "groaning" during tighter turning. Of course that would cost over $3,000. If I had known the $260 was a shot in the dark that may or may not help, I would have just had one of the $60 changes.

GaryS · 12-13-2012, 09:15 PM

Really? Did you get kissed?

This whole thing sounds bogus to me.

09-09-2012, 07:19 AM	#422
CACTUS24 EOC Rank: Hydrogen 2010 4WD EX 5AT Eternal Blue Pearl (EBP) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: BUCKS COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA USA Posts: 31	I just changed the rear axle and auto trans with honda dual pump II and HONDA ATF at 3 years 25,000 miles. The rear axle was o.k. The new dual pump II is certainly fresher oil, the auto trans oil was getting dirty. Don't wait for problems. The honda factory oil drain plugs are tight, use compact head 1/2 drive racket, 1/2 drive extension wobble and 1/2 to 3/8 adaper. Hopkins FloTool 10106B/6. Attached Images Last edited by CACTUS24; 09-09-2012 at 10:54 AM.

09-10-2012, 10:44 PM	#423
Henry89 EOC Rank: Hydrogen 2004 4WD EX MT Crystal Black Pearl (CBP) Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 4	First post but glad I found this place I have a 2004 Honda ELEMENT (5DR EX (4WD SD A/B) - KA5MT) that I bought used a few years ago. It currently has 96K miles on it and I'm getting ready to change the diff and trans fluid. Ever since I got my E there's been a knocking noise that sounds like it's coming from the front right or center. It's a metal to metal sound and is mostly heard when I go over a speed bump or drive on a gravel road and go over pot wholes...I've looked and looked and can seem to find what is knocking. Had the local shop go over it and they said they couldn't find anything either. Any ideas? Could this noise be coming from the diff? The noise almost sounds like a busted shock that is bottoming out....

10-10-2012, 07:30 PM	#426
Elaphant1 EOC Rank: Hydrogen 2005 4WD LX MT Nighthawk Black Pearl (NBP) Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 6	Good call. Either way should be an easy find for a decent tech. Just did the Diff Fluid. Gravity feed worked great! Thanks for the post!!! __________________ Darth Toaster 2005 LX FWD MT EX overhead compartment EX subwoofer Home Depot Lower Front Grill Yellow Fogs w factorty switch Last edited by Elaphant1; 10-10-2012 at 07:33 PM.

12-13-2012, 04:34 PM	#427
EleMN EOC Rank: Hydrogen 2005 4WD EX AT Nighthawk Black Pearl (NBP) Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 22	You guys saved A LOT of dough I am sitting in the Honda dealership waiting room after returning 3 weeks after they changed my rear diff fluid and my differential is still making noise. I have about 90k miles and have kept up with the service. I knew other places did it cheaper, but the service sales person said they do a flush that other places do not do and that would be needed to take care of the groaning sound I'm hearing. They quoted $260 for this! No, this is not even part of a package. Just a rear diff "flush" and refill that did not even solve my problem. I am happy to pay for good and knowledgeable service that saves problems later on, but Honda was more than 4 times more than other places and didn't deliver. Very disappointed.

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09-06-2012, 10:33 PM	#421
flyeveryday EOC Rank: Hydrogen 2007 4WD EX AT Galaxy Gray Metallic (GG) Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 1	ApriliaGuy, thanks so much for posting the pictures. I followed all your steps and fixed it all myself!

12-13-2012, 04:50 PM	#428
GaryS EOC Rank: Neon 2008 4WD LX MT Atomic Blue Metallic (ABM) Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toe-puke-ah, Kansas Posts: 2,126	Flush? I'm sure we all would want to know what that entails.

12-13-2012, 09:15 PM	#430
GaryS EOC Rank: Neon 2008 4WD LX MT Atomic Blue Metallic (ABM) Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toe-puke-ah, Kansas Posts: 2,126	Really? Did you get kissed? This whole thing sounds bogus to me.

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