major issues with my '04 EX

[njitgrad]

I love my '04 Pilot and don't want to sell it but it appears that many issues are starting to surface as I approach 100K.

I just replaced the timing belt at 95K in Dec 2010, which really hurt the wallet.

Then I started to get a whining nose when steering a few weeks ago. Turns out the power steering pump was on its way out and now that I got it repaired, it sound fine. Again another big money job (around $800 or so). At the same time I was told I had a cracked front engine mount (which cost about $300+ to repair).

With the latest set of repairs, I was told that I need new stabilizer links ($212), new cat shields ($243) and new front lower control arms ($876).

How serious should I take these claims from the dealer? The problem is that I just don't have time to take it from mechanic to mechanic to get 2nd opinions.

Will not getting these three new issues repaired cause safety issues? What's the worse that can happen?

[cofetym]

If you plan on keeping the vehicle, I would definitely get a second opinion unless you are very comfortable with your dealer. I've been down this road a few times with different vehicles and feel your pain.
Do what you can when you can afford it and you should be good for another 100k. Might also be a good time to start doing your own repairs, if skill and time allows.

[NJGuy]

What were the specific problems stated by the dealership for each item that needs replacement?

Which stabilizer links? front or rear? (or both)? I'm guessing the front. Depending on what the issue is, they could compromise handling, especially in an emergency situation. This may be a potential safety issue. Same thing with the lower control arms.

I believe the cat shields typically protect things from catching fire when in close proximity of a hot catalytic converter. This is another potential safety issue, but I would consider it a lower risk compared to the two above (unless you typically park over tall, dry grass or other combustible material).

If I were you, I would:
1. Spend some time around your Pilot and take a look at these things yourself. You may not be a trained mechanic, but you can at least look at the parts and check for obvious deterioration or damage. Take the wheels off and grab and shake some of the components to at least see if they're still solidly attached. It might be beneficial if you post some pics/vids of what you find, as there are many knowledgeable members here.
2. Find another shop for a second opinion. Make sure that you trust this place. Even if the second mechanic confirms the need for the work, he may be able to do it for a better price. If you don't know of any shops that you can trust, it would be in your interest to start looking. I'd probably start by asking friends or neighbors. If that doesn't yield any good results, try looking at the ones recommended by AAA.

By the way: usually when my vehicle hits a certain age or mileage, I start moving away from dealer service and towards private garages for mechanical work that I can't perform on my own. However, I would go to the dealership for electronic or other more complicated issues.

Good luck.

[whizmo]

Originally Posted by NJGuy

By the way: usually when my vehicle hits a certain age or mileage, I start moving away from dealer service and towards private garages for mechanical work that I can't perform on my own. However, I would go to the dealership for electronic or other more complicated issues.

I agree with this. On older vehicles, there often needs to be creative approaches taken to problem such as creative repairs rather than replacements, use of used parts, ignoring some problems if they are not safety-related, etc. Dealers are both high in cost and very conservative on what they think might need repair - combine these two together on an older vehicle which is naturally going to need more repairs and you have a vehicle which is prohibitively expensive to keep running.

Do keep in mind that you can do a lot of repairs for the cost of a new car though. As a vehicle ages, maintenance costs go up and up, but they seldom touch the level where they compete with the depreciation of a new car.

You may not be cut out to be driving a high-mileage car. I think for some class of owners who are not mechanically versed, are short of time, and don't have access to a trusted independent mechanic, they're better off biting the bullet and owning newer cars that are under warranty. Costs may be high, but at least they're steady and predictable.

- Mark

[jl_ss]

Every Honda/Acura we have kept past 100K has had the heat shield welds corroded/partially failed by 100K miles. They either get cut off or held in place via a cheap method to stop the rattling. At 80K our CRV had the upper and lower heat shields removed. At 90K, our Accord had a large band clamp holding the shields tight to the cat to stop them from rattling. You do want to be carefull about parking over anything flammable, but we've never had the lack of shields cause a problem. All of the dealers I frequent recommended cutting off or clamping over the cost of replacing.

Your Pilot is 7-8 years old and things will fail. The timing belt was a known cost. The power steering pump isn't common but engine mounts are. With the expense of the front control arms, I'd go to a shop that specializes in tires/suspension components for a second opinion. Ask them to evalutate the suspension components but don't give them specifics.

If you are going to keep a high mileage vehicle, it is imperative to find independent shops that you trust. Shops that will tell you to cut off off a shield rather than pay to replace it. I've built a good enough relationship with my dealer, that they automatically recommend the most cost effective fix. And these days, most dealers are looking to compete in their service departments to make up for lost sales. I will ask my dealer to price match if I find a sevice/part cheaper somewhere else. Most often they do. The dealer originally quoted $130 for a battery. I said I could get one at Sears for $80. They matched that price. They did the same for tires.

[belundy]

Heat shields do two things; protect other things from the hot cat, and trap heat around the cat to help it get to temp faster and work more efficiently. If the shield isn't about to fall off, then leave it alone. Or, find a replacement at the junk yard.

The sway links can be replaced by a novice with hand tools, for less than $30 each (Moog, Rockauto) or look up our Honda parts man and get a quote.

An independent garage can replace the lower control arm bushings. Many replace the lower ball joint as well while in there. I know Moog makes after market, maybe Honda stock bushings as well. If the doughnut bushing (the one you can see well) isn't pulled away from the bushing shell leave it alone. They get surface cracks after 5 years or so but work fine long after.

I did my daughters Civic last year (same type control arm, just smaller). I took the control arms off the car and pair $20 an arm for a garage to press out old and new bushings back in.

[mclairmo]

I have 110,000 miles and none of these issues. I think the dealer is trying to sell you some unnecessary repairs. You need to make time for a second opinion. We cannot evaluate the potential safety hazard without knowing what condition everything mentioned is really in. However, assuming the worst, then we can say that the worst can happen as a result (i.e, crash, fire, death, etc.).

[Alan958]

I agree with this