So I was driving down the street - the other day when i started hearing clunking - i pulled over, cause i thought i was dragging something - nope - i could tell that it was something in my drive train, after the transmission, because the car would clunk even when being pushed.

So I took it in to the worst honda dealership in the world - San Francisco Honda - and the guy said my "rear end was torn out" - I asked him what the hell that means - finally he said, yes the differential. then he says that he has to take pictures to make sure that it wasn't abuse and send them into honda. Because as he said I "might have been doing donuts." riiiiight. he said my tires are low. DUH - i just hit 12K on milaege - but according to him, "they should be good for at least 30K"

So the problem is this - I had springspacers on all 4 wheels for 7500 miles. But i didn't buy the car from this dealership (not for 7 over sticker like they were asking) - i bought it from bakersfield - oh a good 300 miles away. So . . .SF honda would want me to work it out with them if they determine that the spring spacers were at fault. Which would suck, because I'm not about ready to dish out 2500 for a differential or whatever only to have to sue a dealership to recoup it. Any opinions?

 

Do what i did. Talk to the service guy, not the guy working on the car, the guy who tells you the status of your car. Be very nice at first. Talk calmly and don't make a scene, yet.... If this doesn't resolve the problem for free, then ask to talk with the service manager. Do the same with him, be nice and calm with him. If he doesn't want to replace it for free, then leave, and come back on like a saturday or sunday when alot of people are on the lot. Ask to talk to the GM of the dealership in front of alot of people and when he comes out make a BIG scene of how they are trying to screw you over for something that isn't your fault. Tell them how this is a VERY well known and documented problem with the car. He isn't going to lose face in front of potential customers, and this should help out. You should only resort to this as a last step, because you want to try and be civil with them.

I don't think the spring spacers had anything to do with the diff blowing. I never had the spring spacers left in my car, and my diff has been replaced twice. Both times under warrenty. I actually never got any trouble about replacing it, and as far as i know they never had to take pics of it to send to honda. I know my approach is kind of harsh, but I feel, and have noticed(with other problems with other cars) that it works. Well good luck, don't let them get you down.


Kevin

 

Hmmmm. . .

I had 39k miles on my '00 Berlina Black before I traded it and never had any rear differential issues.

Also, I have over 26k miles on my '02 and (knock on wood) no issues with the rear differential.

I wonder why you have the problem???

Stay calm and call Honda's Customer Care. They will solve this issue. Don't become uncivilized and lose face in the dealer.

 

Could just be a faulty part from an otherwise OK batch. I always think that mechanical problems can strike at anytime because you never know what happened during the manufacture of the car or component.

Different driving styles will show up a faulty bit.

I would discuss the problem and try and be rational until all options are used up!

 

u shoulda gone to menlo...SF honda sucks ass. guys at menlo are always honest and friendly.

 

I know entirely too many people who have had new diffs now, some due to abuse, and others definitely NOT due to abuse.

Keep at it, I'm sure you'll get an acceptable resolution to this soon!

 

Definitely just have it towed to Menlo. It's not far away.

- Warren

 

I had this problem in my car..Honda was soo bad..i was in fl in school when this happened. My dealer back here in Wilmington, NC sais they would haved replaced it no problem..even the dsm here. but down there..they insisted i was drag racing...and yes..i had the tires down to..and they acted as if i was doing burn outs..After taking honda to the BBB I won and they had to pay..becuase i had another owner with me...with the same clicking..i had my car there but with the blown diff. and the dsm sat there and told the other owner..they had nothing to worry about cause they would fix theres..the BBB mediador then thought it sounded like a race thing to him and ordered them to pay... Good luck and stay calm is all i can tell you..i was 22 when i did it..and my parents were very proud that i took a stand the way i did. I can tell you one thing..this is the last honda i buy. BMW for me next time..its what i always wanted anyway.

 

Hate to hear about you blowing your rear end. Most likely it was caused by some type of defect. I'm sure if you're patient and cooperative with Honda they'll take care of it for you. They can't really say anything about the spring spacers cause the Honda dealer that originally sold it should have taken them out. They were not your responsibility.