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Tire pressure was all good so it wasn't that. I am starting to think it might be the ABS module. Can I hit it with a hammer to fix it?
2003 Element Rumble Strip Type Vibration
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I guarantee that it is the transmission... do a simple drain and fill and your problem will be solved. I have approx 95k and mine was rumbling for a long time at around 35 to 40 mph. Went to the stealership, picked up 4 qts of auto trans fluid and tada! no more rumbling and it only cost me approx 30 bucks
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Good suggestion by HondaMoney01. Always best to try simple, cheap solutions first.
Does the rumbling persist long enough for you to do a test? If so, pop it into neutral (if you can do it safely) while it's rumbling. Any change? Does accelerating or decelerating affect it? What about tapping the brake?
So ... is your brake reservoir full? I don't think the Element has a separate reservoir for the ABS, but I'm away from my service manual. Your dealer, OTOH, should know, not guess, the answer to this.
Does the rumbling persist long enough for you to do a test? If so, pop it into neutral (if you can do it safely) while it's rumbling. Any change? Does accelerating or decelerating affect it? What about tapping the brake?
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Right on about the change tranny fluid! Funny, when I asked the stealer if it could be something like he said no. I read in the manual to use Honda brand or Dexron III in a pinch. Well, should I just wait to get the official H fluid or just use Dexron III? I am going to do it today if I can or wait till tomorrow and drive the 40 miles to the stealer if it does make a real difference to use the official brand. The manual also says when doing a tranny fluid change to flush and fill it 3 times??? Sounds like a money maker to me. Any ideas about that? Brake reservoir is full and the vibrate does not last long enough to do much of anything. Out of no where and then 3 seconds or so it is gone. Thanks.
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Use the Honda fluid... it will last much longer and prolong the tranny.
Performing 3 drain and fills is considered a flush since when you do a simple drain and fill you are only changing about a third of the actual fluid since most of it is still in the transmission. The idea is that you drain it, fill it, drive it, repeat until you've cycled all of the old fluid out of the transmission.
With that said, to eliminate the rumble, all you should need to do is do ONE drain and fill. It should add enough new fluid to the trans to fix the problem... it did in mine!
Performing 3 drain and fills is considered a flush since when you do a simple drain and fill you are only changing about a third of the actual fluid since most of it is still in the transmission. The idea is that you drain it, fill it, drive it, repeat until you've cycled all of the old fluid out of the transmission.
With that said, to eliminate the rumble, all you should need to do is do ONE drain and fill. It should add enough new fluid to the trans to fix the problem... it did in mine!
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Ok very cool as I am going to trek into the big city today and go see the stealer for some tranny fluid. I read the how to change tranny fluid write up which is excellent so should not be a problem. Thanks.
Actually the 3x drain & fill method leaves you with 19 parts new fluid to 8 parts old fluid which means your changing about 70.3% of the fluid out. Of course this is only provided that the driving between each fluid change yeilds a perfect mixture of new and old fluid... 
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seriously...
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Well, I decided since it just past 100K on the mileage I should just have the tranny flushed any way. I let the stealer do it as I decided an hour of my time sitting there drinking coffee was worth the extra $70 versus all day of getting out and under the thing to fill/drain. No vibration in the 50 or so miles I drove it home. The real test will be the fact that I don't hear any thing about it from the wife after she drives it all week. I'll let you all know.
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It is finished!
Problem solved! It has been over a week and no more out of no where vibration. Getting the tranny flushed and filled solved it. Thanks so much for all the help!!!
Problem solved!
It has been over a week and no more out of no where vibration. Getting the tranny flushed and filled solved it. Thanks so much for all the help!!!
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glad to hear everything worked out... cheers!
I have a 03 Element at 87K miles purchased new with the same rumbling noise when the wheels are fully turned either directions. After reading this thread, I am determine to do the fluid change. I got the transmission fluid changed with no problem. I see the plugs on the diff. It doesn't look like it will be as easy as the tranny. Is this an easy DIY thing. I think I need some kind of pump. What should I buy?. Should I go to a mechanic or do this myself?
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Frequently Asked Questions > Maintenance > Differential fluid replacement
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Wow, that was fast work, Joconab!
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