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I visited the UK recently and there were lots of Rodeos (Vauxhall Frontera) and Isuzu Troopers which are highly regarded over there (and so they should be).
http://www.vauxhall.co.uk
http://www.isuzu.co.uk
*A slip-yolk is the interface between the transmission and the driveshaft, this interface is achieved using a splined shaft (xmission) which slides into a splined bore (driveshaft UJ coupling), this allows torque to be sent to the driveshaft as the suspension is flexing, and, consequently, the driveshaft is sliding in and out.
To check if it's the transmission causing the problem (and not the brakes) throw it into "N" before coming to a stop, does the "clunk" go away?
-Ryan
Another indication that you know nothing about what makes a car company successfull. Baout 1% of SUV buyers take their trucks offroad. I guess you and Libertycat will be able to support Isuzu with your future purchases, becuase the way they are making trucks today, no body will buy them tomorrow.
Also, the center diff on the F350 is 11.5 inches. Plenty of clearance, Paisan.
-mike
I asked about this voiding the warranty and he says it does not.
I just moved a couple of hours away and am with a new dealer who did not sell me the vehicle. Before I call Isuzu and ask them, I thought I would post it here.
-Ryan
P.S. For people having difficulties programming the Home Link garage door opener: although the manual states that the programming should be done with ignition switch in On position, I was able to program my Home Link only in Start position (when all warning lights are on), plus you have to keep the original remote control very close to Home Link (mirror) and constantly change its direction toward the mirror until the Home Link LED starts blinking more frequently.
It's good to solve a problem with old fashioned scientific method.
How about that mileage, it seems that the Ax ain't as guzzly or heavy or etc..etc.. as many people believe, don't listen to everything you read.
On my next visit in he began to troubleshoot the shake(which Isuzu warranty rep. said was normal!) and he found my tires were out of balance somewhat and I had radial runout again on the new Michelins. This service manager did the work himself and I believe he is very good.
He said the Ax is succeptable to out of round tires or misbalanced tires more than most because of body on frame combined with ISC.
Although my tires had been balanced on a Hunter 9000 originally he said their machine had possibly not been calibrated recently. Also they had not balanced the inside AND outside of the wheel, very important. Anyway he suggests replacing tires under warranty. His rebalance almost completely solved shake on most highways. Which surprises me very much.
With regards to squeaking back seats, I also had that problem and asked about taping u hooks. He said he had customers that had done so and eventually the rubbing flaked the tape off and into the latch mechanism with bad results. He somehow bent my hook to stop rattle.
-mike
-mike
As you may know the CEL shows "trouble" status of the emission control system. A common trouble source is a loose gas cap, or one that no longer provides a good seal. Mine was okay.
Costco is a high volume gas dealer, so I don't think degraded fuel was the problem, either. I filled the tank a few hours after the light came on (I usually run the tank down to a couple of gallons then fill it up).
The light stayed on until the next morning, after about four starts. I don't know under what conditions the CEL resets after a trouble condition is corrected.
My guess is that it had something to do with water condensation in the fuel system due to the weather conditions.
-jj-
"Do any of you experience increased drivetrain noise the longer you drive on a particular trip? I have had my Axiom 7 times at the dealer for that problem now and I have a feeling the dealer does not hear it or does not want to hear it. I have now made an appointment with a regional Isuzu rep to listen to the drivetrain noise. Over the phone the rep says that Isuzu's drivetrain can be noisy when working, but I doubt that what I am experiencing is normal for any vehicle (my passengers can hear it too). The longer I drive on a particular trip, the louder the noise, which resembles motorcycle chain in motion. If you cruise the highway do any of you hear anything other than the engine, wind and tires? It drives me NUTS and I would really appreciate your help."
I have been hearing a chain noise, but only in the 35-47mph range under light acceleration. I'm not convinced yet if it's the car or my tires. After I get new tires I'll investigate it further and possibly bring it into the dealer.
-mike
Is this the same noise that you had before you had your transfer case replaced?
-mike
What puzzles me the most is the fact that this chatter changes depending on the number of miles driven on any particular trip. It makes me so angry and displeased that I am considering getting rid of the truck. It is like a chinese torture only worse.
You can also hear it very clearly when you open the door (just a little) while going at least 40 mph. TOD on or off makes no difference whatsoever.
If you all experience the same thing I do, I will make my peace with it, but I highly doubt that any of you would stand it for too long and not bring it up in this forum.
-mike
As I said, in 2wd my driveline is very quiet at all speeds. When in TOD, the noise is noticeable but not annoying.
Good luck Axiomlover, hope the dealer can fix it.
Otherwise not drivetrain noise to speak of.
Is that enough questions?
I also have a Ford Mustang that has a faulty oil dipstick that shows the safe oil level at 1.5pints below the correct level. (I change the oil myself and have measured the level at each change and it shows the same level on the incorrect dipstick each time).
In short, from the factory isn't necessarily perfect as you can see. If you cannot get resolution from the dealer (try a new transfer case one more time), then I'd present the truck for a lemon law and let arbitration take over.
After I have service performed on my vehicle I always check the fluid levels to make sure everything was filled correctly, cannot totally rely on the dealer to do EVERYTHING right.
Good luck!
If the increase the incentives I may buy a new one.
Any insight would be helpful.
"Thanks to my fellow Vx'ers from the Ocala meet, my differential has been fixed. For those of you that have not followed this, I had a bad differential whine at 60mph and above when on the gas, the dealer tried two new rear wheel bearings, but it didnt help. When I complained again he called in the Isuzu rep. We did a road test and the rep. really insulted my intellegence by saying it was normal and his had the same noise on his personal VX, I basically told him that was BS and his rear end was screwed too, and I had been in Mac trucks quieter. Frankly he was either deaf, a liar or incompetant, and none of the three were forgiveable.
Anyway I decided to go the the local meet and have my fellow VX'ers road test mine. All of them heard the noise, and all verified they did not have it. I had them sign a petition with their vin no. and I notorized six signatures. I took this back to the dealer, who when seeing it, very kindly said he would take care of it. The first week they dropped the diff. and tried shimming and adjusting backlash, put it back together and saw no change. The second week they had Isuzu send a new pinion gear, and installed it. The differential is now very quiet with no associated loud whining. I could not have accomplished this without the help of my fellow VX'iers, so there is strength in numbers. So if your differential makes a whining noise when applying throttle, and goes away when you take your foot off, it is the RING AND PINION, Dont let anyone tell you it's supposed to sound worse than a Mac truck. Thanks again"
Thanks for listening to me vent. I hate car shopping.
Dennis P.
There must be a marketing plan there somewhere, but it's hard to figure what it is.
Steve, Host
http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/new/reviews
News: Isuzu's U.S. arm needs every sale it can get nowadays. That's why it stripped
some standard features from the base Axiom and lowered the price. Surprisingly,
Axiom sales shot up 53.6 percent in 2002 even as Isuzu's total U.S. sales plunged
35.7 percent. Yet Axiom still couldn't best 9000 units, a poor showing given the
still-strong midsize-SUV market.
With its Japanese parent now in dire need of cash, American Isuzu Motors recently
sold its share in the Indiana plant that builds Axiom and the related Rodeo and
Rodeo Sport, contracting with partner Subaru to take over production. Now comes word
that all these models will cease production by mid-2004, thus killing the redesigned
replacements scheduled for '05. Word is that Isuzu will fill the gap with a different SUV
sourced from low-wage Thailand, which implies lower sticker prices in a last-ditch effort to reverse a downward sales-and-earnings spiral. No details about the newcomer are available yet, but it reportedly begins sale in 2005 and is based on a midsize pickup
sold mainly in the Asia-Pacific region.
In my opinion, the Axiom's TOD is the best 4WD system (tied with the Kia's), versus viscous coupling in the other two. However, the ground clearance is slightly less. So, as owners, how capable is the Axiom off road? After all is is a Rodeo with a Trooper engine. Yet the salesman (who also sales Hyundai, Suzuki, Volkswagen) was like "what? drive the Axiom off-road? It's a luxury SUV."
I'm not going rock hopping or mountain climbing, but possible mud, plowed dirt, and rutted dirt roads combinations. Is the Axiom up to it? I did climb steep 4-wheeler/ATV trails with a rental 4WD Sorento with ease and it was exhilarating. Can the Axiom match that? Not for everyday driving, after all it will be mostly my mom's vehicle (so nix the hill climbing)
When will the '04 Axioms roll out? The new direct-injection should help topple the Endeavor.
I find in sand I would prefer a regular 4wd hi with no clutching. In snow there isn't much better. Also for regular dirt and offroad trails it is more than adequate. In sand I fine there is too much power switching because traction is never constant...4wd hi is constant power to front/rear.
I think the axiom has the trooper drivetrain with an augmented rodeo suspension? Which means the gear ratio is great, power more than decent and solid 4wd systems. TOD is more solid than most 4wd systems and for any situation where a locked center is required 4wd low is good.
The rear LSD capabilities are hard to judge. But in snow or low traction requirements it does well. But it probably won't push you through with one front/rear wheel off the ground.
I would investigate the suspension vs. getting a 2002 trooper that may be around? Same drivetrain, but better offroad suspension, in my opinion.
-mike
I personally think that if you want to buy an Axiom, go with used 2002 or new 2003 models. If Isuzu decides to continue making these vehicles in 2004, they will probably drop a lot of standard futures in 2004 model because people get too much for the price they pay for Axiom, including the warranty. That’s why Isuzu already reduced the power train warranty from 10-years/120,000-mile (the longest warranty ever offered) for 2002 model to 7-year/75,000-mile for 2003 model. Tig
-mike
Dennis P.