Solved: Honda Pilot Rear Diff issue

DenverTaco07 · 08-02-2017, 10:50 AM

Anyone have a 2009 to 2015 Honda Pilot and have ever had a rear clunking noise during initial acceleration?

Recently had a local shop that specializes in Honda chang fluid in rear diff. Now every time i go from stop, there is a single clunk from the rear end.

Thoughts?

Lil' Nasty · 08-02-2017, 11:39 AM

I don't have a pilot, but have an mdx (which has a lot in common). That said, are you using Honda fluid? I know hondas/Acuras are finicky about only using OEM fluid (in transmission and diff).

Edit: i see they still use the VTM-4 fluid.

DenverTaco07 · 08-02-2017, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lil' Nasty

I don't have a pilot, but have an mdx (which has a lot in common). That said, are you using Honda fluid? I know hondas/Acuras are finicky about only using OEM fluid (in transmission and diff).

Edit: i see they still use the VTM-4 fluid.

I would hope that a shop that specializes and works only on Honda would have used the correct fluid, but you never know.

I'm thinking about changing it myself, but I'll call the guy and see what he has to say.

thanks.

sherob · 08-02-2017, 12:27 PM

My Ridgeline is real finicky about that fluid... must be Honda specific VTM-4 like was mentioned.

Frank237 · 08-02-2017, 01:36 PM

I've got a 2010 Pilot with 150K that has been damned near bulletproof. I had fluids changed out last year...zero issues. I wonder if there's a specific rear diff fluid with some sort of ADDITIVE that's reqd and they used something else?

Have you done a few figure 8's to get it sloshed around...like we do in our cars after a change?

An issue with driveshaft universals or CV joints?

DenverTaco07 · 08-10-2017, 10:52 AM

Solved:
Turns out they used the wrong fluid, or at least that is the only conclusion that is plausible IMO.

They redid the fluid (apparently twice yesterday) and the tech told me that what they put in there the first time (on original service date), although it was red in color, it was milky or hazy looking when they drained it.

anyway I hope their mistake didn't do any damage to my differential (500 miles on it with bad fluid). I have the original invoice showing diff fluid change, and the invoice from yesterday showing $0.00 and statement "check noise when accelerating from a stop from rear of vehicle. Replaced rear differential fluid and noise is gone".

so i'm hoping if anything happens to diff i have some proof they had some plausible cause to any issue.

OMG...and this is a Honda only shop.

Lil' Nasty · 08-10-2017, 11:24 AM

Glad you solved it.

Donald · 08-12-2017, 12:13 AM

Glad it's fixed. Thanks for posting the solution. Makes the forum that much better :-)

sherob · 08-12-2017, 11:33 AM

These guys do excellent work, and are pretty reasonable with prices too... highly recommend them.

http://www.gaylordsgarage.com/

DenverTaco07 · 08-15-2017, 01:29 PM

Thanks, I'll check them out. A bit out of my way, but it may be worth it.

08-02-2017, 10:50 AM	#1
DenverTaco07 Drives: 2017 SS 1LE, 2017 Volt, 2013 Pilot Join Date: May 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 4,274	Solved: Honda Pilot Rear Diff issue Anyone have a 2009 to 2015 Honda Pilot and have ever had a rear clunking noise during initial acceleration? Recently had a local shop that specializes in Honda chang fluid in rear diff. Now every time i go from stop, there is a single clunk from the rear end. Thoughts? __________________ 2017 SS 1LE \| HBM \| Vortech V3-Si supercharger (620RWHP and 575ft lbs) \| PDR \| Black Bowties \| Illuminated Front Black Bowtie \| Illuminated Door Sills \| Smoked Tails \| vented seats mod Last edited by DenverTaco07; 08-10-2017 at 10:53 AM. Reason: title change

08-02-2017, 11:39 AM	#2
Lil' Nasty [COTW 4/13/15] Drives: Supercharged LLT Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 5,957	I don't have a pilot, but have an mdx (which has a lot in common). That said, are you using Honda fluid? I know hondas/Acuras are finicky about only using OEM fluid (in transmission and diff). Edit: i see they still use the VTM-4 fluid. __________________ LiL' Nasty's Build Journal

08-02-2017, 12:27 PM	#4
sherob Drives: 2015 SW 1SS/RS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Brighton, CO Posts: 2,736	My Ridgeline is real finicky about that fluid... must be Honda specific VTM-4 like was mentioned. __________________ “The Eagles and the Captain and Tennille ruled the airwaves, and we were the answer to it.” - Joey Ramone

08-10-2017, 10:52 AM	#6
DenverTaco07 Drives: 2017 SS 1LE, 2017 Volt, 2013 Pilot Join Date: May 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 4,274	Solved: Turns out they used the wrong fluid, or at least that is the only conclusion that is plausible IMO. They redid the fluid (apparently twice yesterday) and the tech told me that what they put in there the first time (on original service date), although it was red in color, it was milky or hazy looking when they drained it. anyway I hope their mistake didn't do any damage to my differential (500 miles on it with bad fluid). I have the original invoice showing diff fluid change, and the invoice from yesterday showing $0.00 and statement "check noise when accelerating from a stop from rear of vehicle. Replaced rear differential fluid and noise is gone". so i'm hoping if anything happens to diff i have some proof they had some plausible cause to any issue. OMG...and this is a Honda only shop. __________________ 2017 SS 1LE \| HBM \| Vortech V3-Si supercharger (620RWHP and 575ft lbs) \| PDR \| Black Bowties \| Illuminated Front Black Bowtie \| Illuminated Door Sills \| Smoked Tails \| vented seats mod

08-10-2017, 11:24 AM	#7
Lil' Nasty [COTW 4/13/15] Drives: Supercharged LLT Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 5,957	Glad you solved it. __________________ LiL' Nasty's Build Journal

08-02-2017, 01:36 PM	#5
Frank237 Drives: Kubota 2640, 83 BMW R-65, 2017 1 SS Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Craig, MT Posts: 643	I've got a 2010 Pilot with 150K that has been damned near bulletproof. I had fluids changed out last year...zero issues. I wonder if there's a specific rear diff fluid with some sort of ADDITIVE that's reqd and they used something else? Have you done a few figure 8's to get it sloshed around...like we do in our cars after a change? An issue with driveshaft universals or CV joints?

08-12-2017, 12:13 AM	#8
Donald Drives: Just a dream... Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Lewisville TX Posts: 140	Glad it's fixed. Thanks for posting the solution. Makes the forum that much better :-)

08-12-2017, 11:33 AM	#9
sherob Drives: 2015 SW 1SS/RS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Brighton, CO Posts: 2,736	These guys do excellent work, and are pretty reasonable with prices too... highly recommend them. http://www.gaylordsgarage.com/ __________________ “The Eagles and the Captain and Tennille ruled the airwaves, and we were the answer to it.” - Joey Ramone

08-15-2017, 01:29 PM	#10
DenverTaco07 Drives: 2017 SS 1LE, 2017 Volt, 2013 Pilot Join Date: May 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 4,274	Thanks, I'll check them out. A bit out of my way, but it may be worth it. __________________ 2017 SS 1LE \| HBM \| Vortech V3-Si supercharger (620RWHP and 575ft lbs) \| PDR \| Black Bowties \| Illuminated Front Black Bowtie \| Illuminated Door Sills \| Smoked Tails \| vented seats mod

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