I bought a 2002 Honda Accord EX V-6 with 25,000 miles. Only had the oil changed twice. now has 31,000 miles on it. Power steering was low the other day so went and bought some HONDA fluid filled it up. Two days later it was low again.
Jacked it up and saw fluid coming out of the driver side Rack & Pinion boot. The boots are not damaged no signs of anything flying up and hitting the rack or boots. Is there a seal I can replace or O-ring ? I'm surprised that a car with 31.000 miles on it is having a rack problem.
I bought it from the Honda dealer not some sleazy used car lot. Being a 2002 there was only a 3 month 3,000 mile warranty on the car. I can do some stuff on a car Just pulled and replaced a 3.3 V-6 in a 1998 Dodge Caravan for a buddy. I am hoping you will say it is a seal on the end of the rack. Have never messed with a Rack before so I do not really know what I am up against
Any ideas ??
Thanks Randy Hobbs

 

Randy;
Come Tuesday morning, call Honda first thing. Give them the "story" and explain you've a steering rack with a leak behind the <U>intact</U> l/s boot. Explain this isn't your first Honda (and your intentions to buy more later), and see if they will offer to either make good on it or offer to partially participate on the repairs.
At that mileage, the rack should not have failed. There is nothing that you could have done to effect it.
If the dealer makes no offer, or doesn't seem to at least consider it (They sometimes have to get pre-approval); call the Honda Regional Office for your area at:

Honda Regional Office:
Alpharetta, Georgia
770-442-2045

and ask for a customer service representative, or ask to make an appointment to speak to the Zone Representative for your dealership.

Honda could very well step up to the plate on this one.

Your only other recourse is a re-manufactured Steering Rack from somewhere like DeathZone AutoParts, or a reman unit thru Honda. I don't think you'll find that seal separately.

P


Modified by P_Adams at 4:03 AM 1/2/2006


Modified by P_Adams at 4:04 AM 1/2/2006


Modified by P_Adams at 4:04 AM 1/2/2006

 

Thanks. is there a recall or something on it ?

 

None that I'm aware of (off hand) but let me check.

What you're looking for from Honda is what's refered to as a "Good will Policy Adjustment" since the car is older the the 1yr/12000m base warranty coverage.

I'll be back shortly

P

 

No recalls sorry to say but I FULLY agree with what P_Adams said.

 

no recall or service bulletin that I could find.. but that doesn't mean you can't get some "service goodwill" When you talk to Honda schmooze them a little bit " this is a really great car" and "I'm hoping to keep my car fully dealer serviced" it's stuff like that rings their bells.


Modified by hondadude at 10:29 AM 1/5/2006

 

Thanks so much for the info and help !! My brother has a 1996 civic with 310,000 miles on it. We have only put timing belts and 2 clutches in it. That is why I am so surprised that the rack went out this soon on this one,

Again THANKS !

 

Randy:
Here's what NTSB is reporting as of tonight:

Electrical System-1-Show Reports

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Create Custom Report NHTSA Recall Campaign Number: 05V025000

Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

Details: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE INTERLOCK OPERATION OF THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO PARK.

Consequence: IF THE DRIVER DOES NOT SHIFT TO PARK BEFORE REMOVING THE KEY AND FAILS TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Corrective Action: DEALERS WILL PERFORM AN INSPECTION PROCEDURE THAT CONFIRMS INTERLOCK FUNCTION. VEHICLES WILL BE UPDATED WITH A REDESIGNED INTERLOCK LEVER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 7, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

Units Potentially Affected: 486659

Recall Initiated By: ODI
Date added to NHTSA datbase: 01/31/2005
Internal use: 1/31/2005
----------------------------------------------------------

Engine and Engine Cooling System-0-No Reports
Equipment-0-No Reports
Fuel, Exhaust, Emissions Control-0-No Reports
Heater, Air Conditioner, Ventilation-0-No Reports
Interior Systems-0-No Reports
Lighting and Communications Systems-0-No Reports
Misc. Components-1-Yes Report
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Create Custom Report NHTSA Recall Campaign Number: 02V226000

Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Details: ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, SEDANS, COUPES, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES, A TIMING BELT TENSIONER PULLEY ON THE WATER PUMP IS MISALIGNED AND COULD CAUSE THE TIMING BELT TO CONTACT A BOLT ON THE CYLINDER HEAD. EVENTUALLY THE BELT COULD BE DAMAGED AND FAIL.

Consequence: IF THE TIMING BELT BREAKS, THE ENGINE WILL STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Corrective Action: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WATER PUMP AND IF IT IS ONE OF THE DEFECTIVE PUMPS, THE WATER PUMP AND TIMING BELT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 30, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

Units Potentially Affected: 17551

Recall Initiated By: MFR
Date added to NHTSA datbase: 08/28/2002
Internal use: 8/28/2002
---------------------------------------------------------
Power Train-0-No Reports
Steering-0-No Reports
Structure-0-No Reports
Suspension, Wheels, Tires-0-No Reports
Visual Systems-0-No Reports

P

 

Well sometimes stuff just goes bad, But a great rule of thumb is you get out of a Honda what you put into it. So if your brother's civic is in that great of shape this accord should give you the same service.

 

Go through the channels as P Adams said. If this doesn't get you some assitance then I'd consider replacing the rack. If there's no signs of external damage such as a torn boot then there's a good chance that the former owner "kissed" a curb with the wheel on that side of the car. If the steering wheel is turned & rack extended , the wheel hits something solid, even at a moderate speed it will bend the end of the rack just behind the inner tie-rod. Even the slightest of distortion (only detectable with a dail indicator)will cause the seal to leak due to the high hydraulic pressure in the rack. Replacing the seal is only a short term repair at best. Again.....if Honda will help-Great, if not-replace the rack assembly.

 

Thanks guys Honda said they will 50 / 50 with me. Rack unit $ 419.00 + 4 hours labor
@ $ 75.00 a hour= $ 300.00 + 419.00 750.00 with tax my half $ 375.00 beats the hell out of 750.00 ! . I told him to get the rack unit in
I am thinking about going to the general manger of the dealership and saying . Honda stepped up to the plate and helped. I figure the dealer made 1000 - 2000 or so when he sold me the car 6 months ago I would like to buy my next Honda here too but I think the dealership needs to step up to the plate too ?
If they would kick in 100.00 or 200.00 bucks too I my get out for a 175.00. I guess it will not hurt to ask ?Any I thoughts guys ??

Thanks again, Randy

 

You might be fighting an uphill battle if you approach the dealer. After all, you just beat up Honda for some Warranty Assistance (and they know it). 50/50 is what I was expecting.
That's not a bad offer for a New OEM rack either.

P

 

Well the hole job was $ 850.00 bucks with Tn. 10 % sales tax Honda did ther 50 /50 with me. Down to $ 425.00 Dealer kick in $ 125.00 Total out of pocket $ 300.00 for a new honda Rack. I am a happy camper !!
Thanks for all the info guys you saved me$ 500.00 bucks and I thank EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU !

Randy

 

On behalf of the entire Honda-Tech Contributors' family, I offer a collective "you're welcome". It's a matter of persomal satifaction as well when something works out for our fellow contributors. Don't be a stranger.

P

 

Well you know how I was bragging on my Bro's Civic he told me this yesterday

310,000 Miles on it. My bro says first start up in the morning sounds BAD! low end knock I figure bearings must be worn pretty bad and lots of clearance going on until oil fills gap. Anyone got Ides ? Would it be worth pulling pan and putting a set of bearings in it on my back ? Would you do just mains or rods too ? Or yank motor and do it right ?

Need help, Randy

 

check oil pump pressure. 310K is a lot for a small car so you definately got your cash out of it.

 

Pull the pan and several of the rod bearing caps once you get in there. If you see anything close to scratches or gouging on the crank journal; STOP, put the pan back on and yank the engine. At the very minimum, it's gonna need a crank kit.

P

 

I should know better then to listen to my bro. I love him but a mechanic he is not ! I listened to it Sat, morning. A lifter is draining down over night and it takes a min. to pump back up ! Hell I can not blame the poor thing he is up to 318000 now.
That is one tuff little engine. I need to put a timing belt on it soon. He has been changing them and the water pump about every 80,000 - 100,000 . I need to pull the air cond. clutch off too. It has way to much air gap between it and the magnet. I need to find a thiner shim to close the air gap up some. Any one know how would have the shims ??
Thanks again for all you guys input This site is GREAT !!