Isuzu Axiom

twocar

Let me try to keep these in order:

Brakes - both front rotors were glazed. "Excessive wear" the dealership said. I baby my Ax pretty much and I have a funny suspicion that it is due to the "soft" suspension setting allowing the momentum of the vehicle on a stop to exert even more weight/force on the front brakes causing excessive wear. You know it wasn't my driving that caused it when the dealer just slaps on two new rotors without even blinking. No more pulsating on regular or hard stops.

Driver's seat - well, they had to tighten up some anchor bolts again to try to resolve the squeaking problem. Seems to have worked.

Towing - very dissatisfied with the towing. Tranny hunts a lot between overdrive and 3rd and even second on moderately rolling to average sloped highway.

Campaign - CMUNIZ - I can't tell a difference either in the roof rail or anywhere inside.

Slip Yoke - had them lube the slip yoke per this online club and I still have the clunk at a stop or on restart.

sveltax

The second issue with the clunk or thump is the backlash in the drivetrain. I think this entails taking the rear end apart, much more labor than lubing the slip yoke. The lube solved my clunk or thump problem, at least for the last 500 miles.

paisan

Why would you tow in Overdrive? The only time you should be in OD while towing is on the highway and at that a pretty flat one. Heck on most GM vehicles they have a "tow" button that disables the OD on them. Also it would be good to know the specs of what you were towing as well. Motorhome/boat/car trailer?

-mike

twocar

Well, some parts were flat and to keep from taxing the engine...I would put it in OD. I was towing a pontoon boat that is well under the towing specs on the Ax.

paisan

you could have a defective one but the wind resistance of a pontoon boat probably made up for some of that. My suggestion would be to just keep it in 3 if it shifts excessively. I've towed 5000lbs and on the highway usually leave it in OD unless it begins to shift often. At towing speeds you shouldn't be taxing the engine in 3rd gear.

-mike

sveltax

I know it's easy to speed, I try to keep it around 60 when towing. I've towed a 15 ft trailer with 3 go-carts, supplies, fuel and 4 adults. It was very windy at the time but the AX did a commendable job, left it in drive (3rd).

sowr

For those of you interested in a real SUV road test:

http://www.fourwheeler.com/roadtests/50258/

Some cool pics of the Ax on fairly rough ground.

cmuniz

I've only towed with my Axiom once - a U-haul trailer about 1,000 miles and was very pleased with the performance. Stayed under 70 mph and don't remember any unsual gear shifting. I used "D" most of the time except when going uphill, then shifted to "3".

axiomlover

Some of you who have been at this thread for a long time remember that I complained about a "wooshing" and "chattering" noise coming from the rear of my Axiom after driving it for more than 10 miles on the highway. I had the truck at the dealer three times and they couldn't figure out what was wrong. I dropped it off for the fourth time (lemon law goes into effect after four attempts of fixing the same problem). The dealership called me yesterday saying I am going to need a new transfer case. They are now getting an authorization from Isuzu to get this done. I will let you know if it clears the problem.

cptsesso

I just got back today from the Virgin Islands. While there, I took notice of quite a few Isuzu's. Saw many Troopers and many more Rodeos. The thing that really caught my eye was an Axiom. It was a white one with tan around the wheel wells and lower half.

I thought the mainland US was the only place they were to be found? Someone must have really wanted one.

I think it is funny and sort of sad that I have only seen one other Axiom around where I live, but all the way down in
St. Thomas, one goes driving right by.

sowr

A number of reviews that I have read state that the Ax is a heavy mother. But try comparing it to just 2 of the other SUVs:

Axiom 4200lbs
Pilot 4400lbs
Volvo XC90 4500lbs

(All 4WD)

Unit body vehicles with complicated, not much articulation suspension components = heavy.

arizonian

The only negative of this vehicle that I have found in the first 5,000 miles is the sound of the stereo.

Does anyone know if aftermarket speakers or an amp will improve the sound or if it's the stereo itself?

Any suggestions on speakers would be a big help.

Thanks.

Ithan

paisan

Hey guys, just was watching "the wash" some movie about 2 rappers working in a carwash. Anyway one of the chicks that one of the rappers tries to pickup is driving an AXIOM!!!! Figured I'd let you all know

-mike

axiomlover

Isuzu dealer replaced a faulty transfer case in my Axiom, which caused chattering. The part supposedly cost $2,000 and was covered under warranty. The problem is that while chatter is gone, now I can hear something like a constant friction noise of two metal discs. It is subtle, but audible even at low speeds. My question is this: Since this is a 4WD, is it normal to hear gears in the transfer case and rear axle or should it be absolutely quiet as it is in front wheel drive sedans? Do you guys hear any noises coming from your drivetrain system?
Thanks for any help. I am going nuts over this.

paisan

Hell yeah, they are TRUCKS!!!!!!

They aren't FWD SEDANS!!!!!

Jees if you want a quiet SMVs, go get a Hondah or MDX or Highlander!!!!!

-mike

cmuniz

Axiomlover - If it is driving you nuts have the dealer look at it and drive it. I don't have any sounds coming from my Axiom that are driving me nuts, but I'm not sure what noise you are talking about. With TOD engaged I can hear a whinning noise when it transfers power to the front wheels but that's about it.

dielectric7bb

You should have slightly more noise in a 4wd than a fwd or rwd vehicle. It shouldn't be an extreme difference though. I suggest you test drive another AX with 4wd (lsd???) and compare it to yours.

k2rm

Axiomlover, do you hear the noise both in TOD and 2wd? My Axiom only makes driveline noise when in TOD as expected. It is fairly quiet with properly inflated tires, but quite noticeable if one of the front tires is underinflated. No noise in 2wd. You should definitely expect more noise in a 4wd vehicle than any 2wd, many more moving parts.

Can you tell us what part of the transfer case actually failed? Just curious.

tig2002

Does anybody know why the Axiom’s engine is so noisy at cold start? Do all Ax owners experience this? First I though that the radiator fan is electronically controlled, accidentally turns on by itself at cold start and makes that noise, but then noticed that the fan is actually driven by the belt. I also though that there is a hole somewhere on the exhaust pipe. But it appears that this is the way these vehicles suppose to sound. Sometimes I do not want to start the engine on front of people when it is cold, especially in a garage – so disappointing comparing to such beautiful look of this vehicle.

k2rm

Mine is no different cold than warmed up and I wouldn't call it noisey at all. I would actually consider it quiet for a truck. Of course I am comparing it to my other vehicle, a 1970 chev truck with a 350. Now that is noisey, but in a good way

Can you describe the noise better?

axiomlover

You may be right that I am looking for a super smooth and quiet ride in the Axiom while I should be accepting its truckiness. I do understand that there must be some noise coming from the 4WD system. However, should this noise be significanlty increasing as you drive more miles on the highway on any particular trip? Besides, I am pretty sure Isuzu would not have authorized a $2,000 part to be replaced if the noise were normal. I don't know which part of the tranfer case failed as they replaced the entire unit. I never had any problems with the way the truck drove, it is just the noise that was annoying the c&@p out of me. The chattering occured in both 2WD and TOD (no difference). Is there anybody out there in Chicagoland who would be willing to give me a ride in their Axiom and let me compare the noises their truck makes? I have been riding in my friend's Jeep GC and I never heard anything unusual.

As far as loud engine at cold starts - it is weird, but the fan actually kicks in if it is warm outside or when the humidity is high regardless of the fact that the engine is dead cold. Mine usually switches off after about 15 seconds, when it realizes the engine is cold. The fan is driven by a belt, but its speed is regulated by an electrostatic clutch. The fan rotates at fairly low rpm until the clutch engages as a result of hotter engine temp. or turning on the A/C. It is a rather old design, which should be replaced by an electric motor.

tig2002

Thanks k2m and axiomlover for your comments. I have to check if the noise goes away after approx. 15 seconds. If it does, then it is probably the fan kicks in because of the higher outside temperature or humidity. I also heard that the increased noise caused by significant airflow through the air filter at cold start, but my feeling is that the cause of the noise is the fan. I cannot compare how loud the engine is to other trucks since my other car is Mazda Millenia, and the engine of MM is very quite.

Another question: I noticed that the AC on Axiom is not powerful enough to lower the inside temperature quickly. In fact, the coming out of the blower air is not that cold as on the other vehicles. Is this just a weak A/C, or there is a problem on my Axiom (low pressure in A/C line)?

Thanks again

sowr

Don't worry about your engine,Isuzu make killer V6's.

sowr

I should've read all of the messages before I posted.

Last year I spent 5 weeks out in the desert north of Barstow working on a NASA project. The average temperature was 106°F. The Axiom worked just fine in auto mode, I had the thermostat set at 75°F, but started out in 65°F just to cool things off first. Driving through the deep desert on dirt roads for 100 miles in 106°F: No complaints.

tidester

I should've read all of the messages before I posted.

Didn't anyone tell you that you're supposed to read them all before posting?? JUST KIDDING!

Reading all 1680 posts would take the better part of a day even with a high speed connection. It's best to just look at what's been posted recently when joining in.

tidester, host

sowr

Actually, I have them all printed out and filed by subject.....

sowr

Okay, I just spent Sunday fitting some neoprene seat covers from http://www.wetokole.com and a rear spoiler. All went well and I'm very pleased with the results. I ordered the seat covers in black and grey, even though my interior is black and tan, it's looks sweet. The covers were easy to install and are obviously made more the Axiom, and they shipped them to me for free. $450.00.

The spoiler involved drilling three 5/16" holes in the lift-gate, the middle was cake because it came through where the brake light is installed and therefore only involved drilling the outer skin, the other 2 outside holes involved drilling a clearance hole (5/8") through the inner skin for the screws to fit through. Once all of the plastic dress panels were re-fitted no screw heads were visible. Sweet. $260.00 painted http://www.customautotrim.com.

I did one more thing, I fitted a '4WD' emblem, the red one from a Vehicross, $10.00 new from the dealer onto the rear hatch.

My next project is to fit my drivers seat 1" riser brackets, they're designed but need to be fabricated. I'm also toying with a design for a combined front skid/dress plate, maybe one for the rear.

I'd love to put that spare tire somewhere else.

tidester

Actually, I have them all printed out and filed by subject.....

I am impressed - I think you deserve a free Krispy Kreme at the very least!

tidester, host

paisan

I'm almost positive it's not an electronically controlled clutch. It's a viscous kind IIRC.

-mike

sowr

My 2002 Axiom has a viscous coupled fan which (obviously) runs all of the time. It is not thermostatically controlled.

I don't know anything about the 2003 Axioms.

My engine sounds smooth and strong, even at start-up.

axiomlover

Whether it is an electrostatic clutch or not, the speed of the cooling fan is variable. Just try to rev up the engine without the A/C on and then with A/C on and you will hear the fan running much faster with the A/C. Tonight, I will measure the actual rpm of the fan with a tachometer.

paisan

Is not activated by AC or not. It will be activated by the heat coming off the radiator. So just by pressing the button for the AC it will not automatically turn "on" the fan. There is an electric fan that comes on with the AC but that is a separate fan.

-mike

sowr

There are 2 fans. One viscous-coupled to the crankshaft, another, thermostatically operated electric fan, in front of the radiator on the passenger side.

When I start my Ax up the electric fan is non-operative. I'm not sure if it is interlocked to the AC operation command or to a temperature high setpoint of the coolant. Verification is an easy test. I'll perform a functional analysis on my Ax. Although, Paisan, I'm sure you're right.

Also, perhaps operation of this fan is in the Owner's Manual?

paisan

My '00 Trooper doesn't have the electric fan, and then in '01 they added the electric fan in front of the condensor, '01 owners have reported better AC in traffic than the '00s. I'm considering adding one to mine at some point.

-mike

csanger

I'm new to this so if I don't use this board properly please let me know.

I purchased a 2002 Axiom two weeks ago which was a dealer demo with 700 miles on it. I was very surprised after some driving how shaky and unsettled the suspension behaved. Vibration etc even on smooth roads. After the first week I returned to the dealer for some promised work on the car and was given another 2002 Axiom with 90 miles on it as a loaner. This ride quality on this Axiom was VERY different than mine. None of the shaking, suspension dampened the bumps well without being overly harsh etc. If I hadn't driven both of these in the same day one after another (twice) I wouldn't have believed they were the same vehicle. I have since read some discussions here and believe the intelligent suspension system has some inherent problems Isuzu isn't willing to admit to. Any help?

cmuniz

The Axiom suspension has two modes - sports and comfort. There is a rectangular button in on the bottom of the dash in front of the gear shifter that sets it. That might be one difference between the two vehicles. I prefer the sports mode as there is less bounce and seems more under control. I would take the dealer for a ride in both and show them the difference and ask them to fix the one you bought. It's hard to pinpoint the problem. It could be as simple as the tires are over imflated in yours (upon delivery mine were set at 36)- Isuzu recommends 26, but I use 30. It could also be bad tire(s), alignment problems or bad shock(s). Keep in mind, though, that the suspension is one of the weak point in the Axiom in an otherwise great vehicle. It tends to be a little more bouncy than most since it is on a truck chassis.

csanger

Thanks for the reply. It goes deeper than the tires or the pressure. I checked the pressure in both vehicles to insure mfg. rating of 26 (mine were orig. high) along with insuring the tires were all the same make and model. Unfortunately the second one I drove was sold by the time I could get mine in for a service appt. The Isuzu rep was at the dealership the day of my service appt. and went for a ride in the car and said it felt OK to him. According to Isuzu that closes the case. It doesn't for me as I experienced the suspension as I suspect it is supposed to operate in one of the vehicles. This would explain some reviews and owners trashing the ride while a few actually liked it. According to the dealership there is no way to trouble-shoot and test to see if the suspension or it's computer is working properly. The dealer I took mine to said I was the SIXTH customer of theirs who experienced a difference in their vehicle vs. one they test drove and in spite of the dealership telling them they couldn't really test for problems they all felt strongly enough to insist they try. Having gone to General Motors mechanic school 25 years ago because I am a car enthuasist, managed a BMW motorcycle dealership, and owned multiple vehicles, cars, 4wd's and motorcycles, I am not saying lightly there is something with this suspension system they either can't or won't acknowledge and fix. I like the vehicle and if necessary would be willing to purchase aftermarket shocks if there were acceptable options to correct the ride. By the way I also had the tires and wheels checked for any problems and the manager of the shop balanced them to a point of virtually no vibration.

sbcooke

If you are only a week or 2 into it, you might want to consider getting out of the deal? It is a tough spot to be in driving something with an issue off the lot.

icedog97

I'm not an expert, but it sounds to me like it has to be the computer controlled suspension - maybe it's not working...I would find it hard to believe that potentially "all" or "most" of the other suspension elements are the problem (as would probably have to be the case given the general poor ride quality you have mentioned)...

Does anyone know what the shocks do if the computer is detached? Is there some "default" mode they would be set at? It would be interesting to see how the vehicle behaves under those circumstances.

It seems like they are handing you a bunch of crap...they have to be able to test the vehicle to see what the problem is...

One other thing, is there any way to see if the "demo" vehicle has been altered in any way...maybe they have modified the suspension somehow...I know that's "reaching"...but It seems like you are getting the short end of the stick...especially if the difference is as noticeable as you say...

sowr

Csanger,it's possible that you have some kind of problem, but judging from the posts here if it was hardware or software I'm sure your warning light would be on.

Let's not use the term 'weak suspension', of all of the 'hybrids' I believe that the Ax probably has the strongest suspension (and the most articulation), and the one you'd want anywhere tricky off the asphalt. How about 'truck-like ride'? The Ax sure is an anachronism. Looks like a wagon but rides like a truck, and for all their efforts Isuzu can't disquise this fact. I've learned to live with it, after all my Ax rides better than my friend's Mini Cooper, or my other friend's Tundra with the sport shocks (and man, does it rattle and squeak!).

From my experience just driving into work everyday I must confess that some mornings I notice the bumps more than others, I'm not sure if it's weather or my imagination, and I don't have the measuring equipment to quantify it.

I would sure like to drive an Ax with a set of new well tuned non ISC shocks, just for comparison. Expensive experiment.

k2rm

I think there may be an inherent inconsistency in the ISC system. At times, my Axiom seems great, in comfort mode it smooths out the bumps incredibly. At other times on the same roads, there is sometimes too much forward to back rocking motions. I usually just leave it in sport mode as I don't like that rocking motion. Because of this, I can believe that even though the computer may be working in both vehicles mentioned above, one could feel very different from the other. This would make diagnosing anything other than an actual mechanical defect impossible. Maybe this also accounts for the huge discrepency in the reviews. It seems half the reviewers speak very positive about the axiom while the other half speak poorly mainly due to the ride.

Another thing is that I don't think the ISC shocks are very durable. I have had one shock already replaced and another seems to be going bad. I plan on replacing the shocks with Rancho 9000x sometime late this summer. At least one poster here has responded with very positive results from replacing the ISC shocks with the ranchos.

As I recall, another poster did unhook the ISC computer by disconnecting each shock individually. I believe he said the shocks essentially went to an extremely stiff setting.

csanger

I appreciate the feedback. I agree the ISC appears to function differently at different times. I don't accept the fact that it is a truck and I should expect this kind of ride. After driving both vehicles one after another twice the truck aspect is not a plausible explanation. I had someone at Isuzu customer service tell me the ISC computer had fuzzy logic and responded to driving factors over time like a learning transmission or engine management system. The dealership said not so. The dealerships response to my question about tech information on the ISC was that they had only received a 2-3 page bulletin when they normally would receive a full 1/4 inch plus manual on a system such as this. Don't you find it interesting that it is virtually impossible to get information on the system itself from Isuzu, the dealers, or other sources. I've done internet searches etc. to no avail. If anyone knows of where to find this please let me know. When Isuzu began marketing this vehicle their execs. were quoted as saying it had the ride quality of a European sedan. I think when properly functioning the driving experience is very different than what most of us are experiencing. Also would love to hear the experience of the owner who installed the ranchos.

paisan

No offense but there is ZERO Hybrid about the Axiom. It's not a hybrid at all. It's 100% truck.

-mike

paisan

Bring your wheels to a Hunter 9700 shop, they'll balance your tires properly. I bet that is the issue.

-mike

sowr

No offence taken, I wholeheartedly agree with you. The Ax is a way-cool truck.

I was just quoting what the media and advertisements say.

paisan

Yeah everyone *thinks* it's a hybrid, but it's a full truck, same problem is happening to the other trucks in this class:

Sorento
Axiom
Montero Sport

All are TRUCKs that have AWD + Low Range + Full Frames....

-mike

csanger

I did take the Ax to another shop with the latest balancing equip. and a lot of experience (even the local dealer admitted they were the best) and the manager himself not only balanced but also checked the tires, wheels etc..

The vibration I'm experiencing feels like the shocks not dampening even the smallest road irregularities. Other adjustable suspensions function on the premise of the shock absorber rod being moved up or down to place it in a different valving position and therefore changing the response of the shock to the road.

If I had to take a guess I would say the actuators moving the rod of the shock aren't working or in sync with the shock and I'm primarily riding on an improper valve area.

paisan

makes sense.

-mike

csanger

Anyone out there who has put other shocks on the Axiom I would like to hear about your experience.

Thanks

reeger

I just bought a 2002 leftover Axiom, orginally I was about to buy a 2000 Rodeo, but when I found this puppy at a local dealer for 7500 off sticker. I jumped on it. Now to the issues:

I love the truck, well built, solid and power. Oh, and I love the looks.

Now to the bad: The rear suspension absoltely sucks, does a horrible job of smoothing out the bumps (whether in sport or comfort mode) I spoke with the dealer, and Isuzu, not much help. But the dealer advised to maybe seek the help of a performance shop to possibly replace shocks with better ones. Other people have complained to them about the poor rebound control. I called Calmini performance in Cali, basically the the Axiom is a Rodeo with a real nice skin. But, when it came time to what to do about the ISC system, everyone shied away from an aswer, even the Isuzu cars north east manager, Eric. But one thing I did notice under the truck is that the front shocks (work great) have top mounted actuators, while the rears seem to share a remote actuator of some sort that has a hose connecting to the side body of the shocks. So basically, this weekend I am going to take a shot and replace the rear shocks with Monroe sensatrac's. They are only $50 a piece so if it doesn't work I can return. Does anyone have any advice they woul like to share?