- #166 of 185
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suspension problem
by deni2
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Mar 23, 2009 (6:08 pm)
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about the suspension problems, its a 2003 honda element and has 200000 mileage on it, i fixed a lot of stuff since purchasing it last december, new tyres, sensor for catalyst, rear bushings.
riding on bumpy surfaces is very uncomfortable, very rough and lots of noise so i changed upper mounts, links and changed all 4 struts (monroe struts) after all this i dont feel any difference, the right spring is a bit loose
please help me out
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- #167 of 185
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Re: suspension problem [deni2]
by rjnvpn
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Mar 23, 2009 (7:04 pm)
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Replying to: deni2 (Mar 23, 2009 2:31 pm)
Did your Element ever ride smoothly? I'm about to have my front struts and bearings replaced next month so I'll see if it makes a difference. Right now, when I drive the freeway, I feel like I'm in a jack-hammer. But, I wonder if a smooth ride is a feature of the Element in the first place. Not much in advice here; just my thoughts.
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- #168 of 185
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Re: suspension problem [rjnvpn]
by bigfur
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Mar 24, 2009 (12:26 pm)
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Replying to: rjnvpn (Mar 23, 2009 7:04 pm)
I dont think any Element has every rode smoothly for the simple fact of a small wheel base and a tall vehical. Maybe if you put airbags in for the suspension but otherwise i doubt it will ride real smooth.
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- #169 of 185
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Re: suspension problem [bigfur]
by rjnvpn
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Mar 24, 2009 (6:24 pm)
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Replying to: bigfur (Mar 24, 2009 12:26 pm)
Dittos! I don't expect a comfortable ride in my Element; it's such a utilitarian, all-purpose vehicle. I read where the Element was described as "a new car for an old hippie"..............
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- #170 of 185
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05 Element -- no dash lights?
by bkaiser1
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Apr 27, 2009 (7:57 pm)
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Hello,
I just purchased an 05 Element (58k miles) and noticed on the first night that none of the dash lights come on except for the gauge needles. The dimmer works on the needles, but none of the panel lights come on -- including the radio and climate controls. It's at an independent mechanic right now and they are trying to diagnose the problem, but so far it seems they are just replacing bulbs.
Does anyone know if there have been common problems with Elements losing their dash lighting? Even if replacing all 20 (+/-) bulbs in the dash solves the problem, I feel like that's not going to fix the "root" of the problem...*something" must have caused all of the lights to go out at once.
And, yes, the first things we checked were the fuse boxes for blown fuses. They were all fine...any other suggestions?
Thanks, Brian
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- #171 of 185
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Re: Clicking noise when turning [rystump]
by rgoeltsch
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May 03, 2009 (10:49 am)
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Replying to: rystump (Feb 04, 2009 7:49 am)
Bought an ' 03 with 75K last March and had groaning on tight turns. Was told by dealer that rear diff fluid needed to be changed every 30K, not 60K and that rear clutches might need to be burnished. I found a Service Bulletin for 2002-2007 CR-V that applies to Element. I followed it and all is quiet and working well after 15K. I do not remember the website, but have a paper copy of the Bulletin. I am willing to fax it if you are willing to reply with a fax number!!
Bob
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- #172 of 185
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Re: Clicking noise when turning [rgoeltsch]
by joel30
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May 03, 2009 (12:59 pm)
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Replying to: rgoeltsch (May 03, 2009 10:49 am)
change the diff fluid i had the same problem if you dont change fluid the diff will go out and is expensive i been changing the diff fluid every 20k to be safe
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- #173 of 185
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Re: Clicking noise when turning [joel30]
by cwalti
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May 03, 2009 (8:55 pm)
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Replying to: joel30 (May 03, 2009 12:59 pm)
In the meantime Honda has reformulated the rear diff fluid. All diff fluid changes that are made today have to be done with the new formula. There has been some questioning if the diff needs a flushing or if the remaining old style fluid will mix with the new formula. Honda changed my rear diff fluid in the '05 CR-V at 20K miles at no cost to the uprated formula. My '07 Element has been upgraded too at my request without any flack from HA...
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- #174 of 185
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Re: Clicking noise when turning [joel30]
by cwalti
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May 03, 2009 (8:57 pm)
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Replying to: joel30 (May 03, 2009 12:59 pm)
No need to change if you don't hear the ;grinding'. It is just the friction plates 'skipping' due to worn out fluid. Drive until you hear the noise in tight turns....
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- #175 of 185
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Re: 05 Element -- no dash lights? [bkaiser1]
by bkaiser1
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May 06, 2009 (10:42 am)
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Replying to: bkaiser1 (Apr 27, 2009 7:57 pm)
As a followup to my original post, the Honda dealer quickly diagnosed the problem as a faulty gauge cluster -- somewhere in the wiring harness where it plugs into the back of the cluster, it wasn't making a good connection and was causing the dash lights to stay off when the headlights came on. The tech showed me how if he tilted the cluster down, all of the lights came on...but when he tilted it upright to place it back into the dash, all of the lights switched off.
The new gauge cluster was about $275, plus an additional $60 to have the new odometer programmed with my current mileage (rather than 0 miles with a disclosure sticker on the car). It took a week to diagnose and fix the problem, but it's all better now and was a relatively simple fix. Initially, I was afraid it would be a mysterious short in the wiring somewhere that they wouldn't be able to track down, so I'm thrilled that it's fixed.
Brian
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