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With much freeway time on my hands, I began to search for the noise (It was driving me crazy). I FOUND IT! It is definitely associated with the weather stripping on the driver's door. I found that if I forced my finger tip between the door frame and the door (between the weather stripping along the top of the door), the sound abated. Since my discovery, I keep folded business cards stuck between the door and frame at the top of the door, while driving. Now I can drive in peace:) Obviously, this is not an acceptable long term solution, but should at least suffice until I can take the Pilot in again. Any ideas how the mechanic can make permanent adjustments to the door/weather stripping to improve the fit?
Steve
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SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
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massaged the body welds around the left strut tower area
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"removed the left front shock tower assembly, ground down burs on spot welds, greased the surface and then reinstalled the shock"
We haven't had the problem since they did this fix. It sounds like the same fix as "massaging the welds".
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THE FIX IS DONE NOT BY MASSAGING THE WELD POINTS , BUT BY GRINDING THEM DOWN. tHIS IN NO WAY AFFECT THE STRENGTH OF THE COMPONENT
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:-) Also, Is 3-4 months a long wait? I don't think anyone else has had that long a wait have they? I ordered on June 15, with deliver in Sept./Oct. How does this look...
black exl - msrp - $30980
Running Boards - $550 installed
Roof rails - $182 installed
Bumper Garnishes - $450 installed
Chrome Mirror Covers - $115 installed
Is that any good? Dealer claims I am getting the DIO's at THEIR cost.
By the way, nobody has mentioned the chrome (plastic) bumper garnishes...I think they're AWESOME...what a difference! The demo vehicle that I saw has them. Really dresses things up (I am not talking about the chrome bumper that fits on the front lower trim...the garnishes go on all four corners...they look great). I am not sure though about the chrome sideview mirror covers cuz they only come half way down...can't decide if I wanna get them or not.
They'd also be getting lots of info from their dealer network which must have always been their first and main "real world" feedback program.
A manufacturer would be nuts not to incorporate "running" fixes for any recurring problems in the midst of a model run. If you buy a car in the first months of production, conventional wisdom is that you have a greater chance of running into a bug that hasn't been reported back to the assembly line to be fixed.
Others say that many new models are just put together from existing platforms and whatever is in the parts bin, so the risk of new model year bugs is exaggerated.
Steve
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SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
They may be selling you the DIO's at cost...but that means they are charging you ~$350 in Labor...
Here is pricing from an online dealership (you know cost is lower than this)
Running Boards ...427.70
Crossbars ...133.90
Bumper Garnish Front & Rear...357.50
Door Mirror Covers ...84.50
most if not all of these can be installed at home with a little effort.
As far as a 3-4 mth wait..depends on their demand...I bet anything beyond 2 months means they have no idea (they have about that much notice from honda on what they are getting allocated)...
PS...I agree with Steve about the factory being able to do timely fix's (depending on what needs to be done)...Nothing I've seen on the various boards points to anything seriously wrong with the Pilot and most people have no problems at all (based on some polls I saw)
It may still be a bit early in the game to know what (other) problems may hit the Pilot. Who's got the high mileage claim to date on one?
Steve
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SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
When it comes down to it, this is a minor issue. My mountaineer had frame noises that were far worse than what I am experiencing with the Pilot. I am just used to the silence of an Accord and expected the same finish quality in the Pilot. Despite a few small annoyances, I am very satisfied with my Pilot purchase.
Is it the vertical shock absorber, or at the end of the shock that connect with the silver arm ?
Can you elebrate more of the details.
Thanks for your help.
So what did your dealer tell you after they claim the noise was from the moulding. Did they tell you just to go home and live with the noise ?
I want to know from others what we can do as a new car owner, find the defects from day 1, and dealer will not do anything to solve it. Thanks
I know it is annoying... but compared to the problems I have experienced with my previous Ford SUV's... it's nothing.
My sister's '02 Ody had a same problem that they couldn't fix to her satisfaction...
Have anyone else experience this?
Dan from SoCal
They mention having to do service on the rear differential at 7500 miles. Has anyone done/seen this with the Pilot? What are the dealers charging? Any other "surprise" service requirements? Could someone check their owners manual to see what it says?
Any concern over the transmissions after the problems that the Odyssey's had?
I know why.
It looks like a crv. Not that a crv is bad looking, it's that the pilot is just boring looking.
Looks are the bad news.
So the good news is that Honda will have more pilots for people who want the vehicle. Demand will still outpace supply, but it won't be a frenzy.
I'm on the fence now. Silver in LX and EX is quite boring. Looks like a montero sport, only more bland. I need to see other colors in person to see if they vehicle is something I could own for 4-6 years.
The MDX is much more attractive to me at this point, especially if the 2003 MDX has the newer engine, xenon lights and more but at 5k more. At the same time, the mdx could stay in my garage for 6 years and i wouldn't mind.
I saw some comments on wagons and went out and drove the saab 9-5. Nice car, very solid, fast and drove almost as nice as my 528 5-speed. We are now talking about this car. (we don't need seating for 7, just space for our 100lb dog)
Happy hunting all.
Maybe I should just stay with a 525 it wagon...
I'm also scared of the oil sluge problems toyota has had (i'm thinking about the pending redesigned 4runner) and from some of the notes on the mdx site where acura is not standing behind some of the first generation bugs... Pilot may be in the same situation with the clicking bugs and leaks I've seen on the boards...
Saab stood behind their product (although quality was subject).
BMW is great from my experience (3 in the past 10 years).
I'm wondering about Honda and Toyota, both who are making great profits but may be cutting corners...
Activities will include the usual camaraderie, food, door prizes, and discussions of modifications. However, we are also planning the world’s first Honda SUV Olympics. (Have you ever tried auto cross while blindfolded?) All games will be perfectly safe and tons of fun. I’ve attended several of these meets and made some truly wonderful friends. It’s great to put a face to a screen name. I’ve also won more than $150 (US dollars) of OEM and aftermarket goodies for my CR-V. We plan to have door prizes for CR-Vs, Pilots, and the MDX.
We are looking at dates in the end of August. The event will most likely be a single day affair with the possibility of activities for those folks who show up the night prior or stay for the following day. The location depends largely on how many responses we get from folks who wish to attend. So far, we have an excellent site in New Hampshire. You may find Franconia Notch State Park on MapQuest for reference purposes. However, we are also investigating locations in Connecticut, Eastern New York, and Western Mass.
If you are interested in attending, or would like more information, please contact me by e-mail at Varmint@hondasuv.com. In your response, please include your preferences on the following:
Location –
Date –
And, of course, all other suggestions are welcome. I look forward to hearing from you.
Changing the VTM fluid is not a big deal.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Remove the oil filler plug and sealing washer, remove the drain plug and sealing washer.
3. Clean the drain plug, then reinstall with a new washer. Tourqe the plug to 35lbf-ft.
4. Refill using the VTM-4 differential Fluid (currently only available from Honda), add the VTM-4 Fluid till it runs out the filler hole.
5. Reinstall the oil filler plug with a new washer and tourqe to 35lbf-ft.
The oil filler plug and the drain plug are on the back side of the Rear Differential. There is a hole thru the frame to access the filler plug and the drain plug is at the bottom. You can access this easily without jacking the car up, you will need a small pump to pump in the fluid as the is no room for a funnel.
Hope this helps.
Greg
"Severe conditions" maintenance schedule: 7,500, 15,000, 30,000, 45,000, 60,000, etc.
The manual clearly defines the requirements for "severe conditions." I've noticed some dealerships try to boost their service department revenues by stretching the requirements somewhat.
My wife says I should turn up the radio volume.
I think I narrowed it down to the black vertical trim piece on the door, aft of the window. When I let go of the door handle, with my ear near the trim piece, I hear the thing vibrate. I'll see what the dealer says.
I have a three week old EX with leather and I'm still waiting for the part to replace a piece of my luggage rack that flew off on my second day. Haven't heard one update from the dealer in two and a half weeks. Maybe they plan to wrap it up for Christmas...
I sprayed on Fri. night, then It seems to work on Sat. morning, then it started to come back during the day, but not that frequent and loud.
Then Sun. after we parked under the sun during Sunday mass.Then it totally came back.
I think it is due to the hot weather that everthing expands and gliding with each other.
My dealer say they need more time to spend with my car, and need to reschedule to any day. Which I do not have time (a day) for them. So maybe I wiil wait till the breakin.
But I will try a few more spray for sure.
I also have the window scratch problem, on the front passenger window. Inside the car,the 'brush' material on the top horizontal trim that press against the window glass come loose, and scratch the glass everytime it goes up and down. I can clean up the scratch marks at the end of the day, and I'm sure it can be easily fixed by the dealer (I hope).
THe sacilege is that one would think this SUV thing is losing it's luster with women (if wives and mommies aren't happy...) I can see her point i get to drive what i want (ls430--closest thing to perfection i have EVER owned) she "has to" drive a mommy mobile. SHe said "how often do i take 6-7 people, maybe just take two cars " I wonder what the rest of you feel. Much of this car stuff is like jewelery at a mall, impulse purchase i want the newest and neatest. But maybe she is right, if you can get the safety, traction, size, trunk and style right....bingo. THe nissan murano should be bigger, but maybe women and families are changing their minds and hearts away from SUV-itis. This is not an anti SUV thread, i'm just wondering if the market is swinging. I realize that more and more want crossover vehicles, in the next 2 years you'll see many new ones from all manufactures, MB< ford, chrysler, nissan etc. With the technology for AWD such is the case, every vehicle coould have this option. We don't want off road, but want to make sure we have the traction to stay "on road". Suburu has pushed that as a safty item to the point that people would get it if, and here is a big if...it had midsize room, style, comfort etc.
I realize the audi sedan and pilot are on different planets (audi can tow 2k pounds without coolers) Maybe in a few years these comcepts will merge aka crossover vehicles. Style works well with most customers.
I'm ready for my punishment...be gentle.
I hear that noise too. The dealer said it was fuel sloshing around. I did not believe them, but when the tank is nearly empty I don't hear it anymore. However I don't think this is normal. Just haven't had the time to take it back to them and see if they can do something about it.
that's what kept this wife/mother in the 7-8 seater mode. that & my volvo was barely wide enough to accomodate one car seat (a britax roundabout in the middle position) & an adult. and with a second child on the way...
so my goal was to find the safest suv-type car w/o going giant. it's hard though, i know how your wife feels about having to "go mommy" with her vehicles. i'm sure our adoring husbands will repay us someday with the luxury/sports cars of our dreams.
I think on the officaial Honda site, somewhere they say the grab bars are double up as coat hanger.
The reading light are bright, that's my kid said she likes to read during the trips, but kind of interfer with my night driving.
Personally my dream car (I have 3 kids) is an Audi S6 avant.
One other thought - consider the fact that in Europe the vast majority of people happily get by driving sub-compacts. Families of four or five driving Volkswagon Golfs and the like...