My 18 year old 2000 Honda CRV is AWD with 5-speed and 225k miles. It is the best vehicle I have ever owned but it started to make a screeching/grinding noise from the rear. It was over 30k miles since I last changed the dual pump oil in the rear differential so I changed it (with the Honda recommended fluid) but the noise continued. It occurs during acceleration or climbing hills (not just left or right turns) and there is noticeable drag on the engine and there is a clunk during shifting. I push in the clutch the noise and drag disappears. I sat in the rear middle seat and the noise was coming slightly to my rear.

I read online postings about removing the drive shaft and driving the CRV as a FWD only. I uninstalled the drive shaft hoping to determine if there is a change in the noise and/or drag on the engine. However, the car will not move in any gear after removing the drive shaft. The front shaft mount (on the transfer case, I think) spins but that is it. Several questions:

1) do I need to remove the transfer case, also, in order for the front wheels to engage? Does anyone have the part# for the replacement cover?
2) is the source of my noise/drag issue somewhere else?

TIA

 

You have other issues if it won't move with the rear drive shaft removed. Like broken/missing front halfshafts.

 

Thanks for your response. Are you referring to the driveshafts that connect the front wheels to the transmission? Both are physically there with CV boots intact. Is there a way to test these front driveshafts with the rear driveshaft removed or do I need to re-install?

 

Time to crawl under and see what moves or doesn't move while in gear.

 

Time won't give him time.

 

No updates?

The rear drive is a PTO off the front differential. If the front differential is turning then the rear output on the transmission is turning. Your rear end noise might be from over working the rear if you are not getting front wheel drive.

 

Did you ever find the issue?? I'm getting a grinding noise from what sounds like the front but with the driveshaft disconnected it's still drives with no grinding noise

 

If you aren't getting any grinding noises after removing the shaft I would look at the u-joints on the shaft. Go from there.