Long term maintainence on Pilot Tranny? - Honda Pilot

OnHonda11 · 11-05-2005, 10:05 PM

A neighbour of mine is in the process of buying out my '03 Pilot (I'm getting an '06 EXL - Honda # 11). His concern is that he was told that 4x4's end up needing a lot of repairs on 4x4 system as they get older. I told him that I thought that because the Pilot isn't a true 4x4 with all the transfer cases etc. it would likely be much different. Any techies out there who may be able to assist on this?

OnHonda11 · 11-06-2005, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by vahrmeyer
A neighbour of mine is in the process of buying out my '03 Pilot (I'm getting an '06 EXL - Honda # 11). His concern is that he was told that 4x4's end up needing a lot of repairs on 4x4 system as they get older. I told him that I thought that because the Pilot isn't a true 4x4 with all the transfer cases etc. it would likely be much different. Any techies out there who may be able to assist on this?

Anyone have thoughts on this?

N_Jay · 11-06-2005, 10:51 PM

Most of the wear with traditional 4X4 systems is in the front end. It seems that the heavy drive line components take their toll on the steering system.

The full time and/or locked nature of these systems seems hard on the U-joints and CV joints.

I have rarely heard of transfer case issues.

Since the front end of the Pilot is already designed as a FWD vehicle it should not be as big an issue.

I would guess that some of us may use/abuse the system enough to loosen up some CV or U-joints, but not as fast as some other 4X4 systems.

OnHonda11 · 11-06-2005, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by N_Jay
Most of the wear with traditional 4X4 systems is in the front end. It seems that the heavy drive line components take their toll on the steering system.

The full time and/or locked nature of these systems seems hard on the U-joints and CV joints.

I have rarely heard of transfer case issues.

Since the front end of the Pilot is already designed as a FWD vehicle it should not be as big an issue.

I would guess that some of us may use/abuse the system enough to loosen up some CV or U-joints, but not as fast as some other 4X4 systems.

That's along the same lines as I was thinking although I didn't know how exactly to put it.

pjb3 · 11-08-2005, 02:15 PM

I guess my question would be, what is the life of the AWD system on the Pilot? Unlike a diff or transfer case there will be clutch wear and what is the expected life of the clutches?

N_Jay · 11-08-2005, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pjb3
I guess my question would be, what is the life of the AWD system on the Pilot? Unlike a diff or transfer case there will be clutch wear and what is the expected life of the clutches?

Anyone have any experience with a high mileage MDX?

My guess is that it will depend so much on use and maintenance that no one will know what the "average" life is.

OnHonda11 · 11-08-2005, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by N_Jay

Anyone have any experience with a high mileage MDX?

My guess is that it will depend so much on use and maintenance that no one will know what the "average" life is.

I would agree. I just wondered if there were any others with thoughts on this as well as other manufacturers with similiar set ups.

cwa107 · 11-08-2005, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by OnHonda11

I would agree. I just wondered if there were any others with thoughts on this as well as other manufacturers with similiar set ups.

I don't have any technical advice to offer, but I do want to offer one comment... I would never sell a neighbor or a close friend a car. Inevitably, if anything goes wrong, it could ruin or damage your relationship. If nothing else, you'll never be fully seperated from the vehicle.

Just my $0.02

pilotjoe · 11-09-2005, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by cwa107

I don't have any technical advice to offer, but I do want to offer one comment... I would never sell a neighbor or a close friend a car. Inevitably, if anything goes wrong, it could ruin or damage your relationship. If nothing else, you'll never be fully seperated from the vehicle.

Just my $0.02

I won't be surprise to see a continuation of this thread entitled..."Long Term Maintenance On Pilot Tranny VS. Shortened Relationship w/ Thy Neighbor".

OnHonda11 · 11-09-2005, 02:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by pilotjoe

I won't be surprise to see a continuation of this thread entitled..."Long Term Maintenance On Pilot Tranny VS. Shortened Relationship w/ Thy Neighbor".

Now careful!!! I've been bragging about this site and don't want to spoil the deal that hopefully should be signed this week. Anyways, he's not right net door, he's two doors down

pjb3 · 11-09-2005, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by OnHonda11

I would agree. I just wondered if there were any others with thoughts on this as well as other manufacturers with similiar set ups.

As far as I know Honda is the only manufacturer to use the clutch only type system. There are other systems that employ clutches or friction material but in a completely different way. Limited Slip Differentials use clutches and they wear out, but as N_Jay has pointed out, use has a large effect. If a LSD were only used in wet or snowy conditions it will usually last the life of the vehicle but in the old muscle cars or a work truck you could wear them out.
I'm sure Honda has a very good idea of how long the clutches will last under most conditions. The other question in the back of my mind is if the average driver would even know if the clutches started slipping.
As I said, it's just a question in the back of my mind, and it didn't stop us from buying a Pilot.

kettlinton · 11-09-2005, 06:46 PM

i have a friend that has a 2003 pilot EX which has over 140000 miles on it. which are 90% highway miles and has had no problem what so ever with the tranny. hope this helps some.

BigDogDad · 11-10-2005, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by OnHonda11

Now careful!!! I've been bragging about this site and don't want to spoil the deal that hopefully should be signed this week. Anyways, he's not right net door, he's two doors down

Hmmm, changes his member name just before he sells used car to a neighbor???

11-05-2005, 10:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
OnHonda11 Really OnHonda12 now! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Georgetown, Ontario Posts: 655 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Long term maintainence on Pilot Tranny? A neighbour of mine is in the process of buying out my '03 Pilot (I'm getting an '06 EXL - Honda # 11). His concern is that he was told that 4x4's end up needing a lot of repairs on 4x4 system as they get older. I told him that I thought that because the Pilot isn't a true 4x4 with all the transfer cases etc. it would likely be much different. Any techies out there who may be able to assist on this? __________________ On a Sabatical from Honda at present. Hope to get back into the Honda market in a year or so. Doing the leasebusters.com thing by assuming short leases with low km's and high cash incentives. Tired of lease mileage restrictions yet don't want to buy just for that sake either.

11-06-2005, 10:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
N_Jay Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Chicago, NW Burbs Posts: 13,441 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Most of the wear with traditional 4X4 systems is in the front end. It seems that the heavy drive line components take their toll on the steering system. The full time and/or locked nature of these systems seems hard on the U-joints and CV joints. I have rarely heard of transfer case issues. Since the front end of the Pilot is already designed as a FWD vehicle it should not be as big an issue. I would guess that some of us may use/abuse the system enough to loosen up some CV or U-joints, but not as fast as some other 4X4 systems. __________________ However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results. Sir Winston Churchill

11-09-2005, 06:46 PM	#12 (permalink)
kettlinton Just Me Join Date: May 2004 Location: Washington,DC Posts: 307 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	hope this help i have a friend that has a 2003 pilot EX which has over 140000 miles on it. which are 90% highway miles and has had no problem what so ever with the tranny. hope this helps some. __________________ Honda Fan From Day 1! 03 Honda Pilot White EX-L Mud Guards, Window Vents, Door Handle Accents, Grill Accents, Bumper Accents, Exhaust Tips, Window Tint, Rockford Fosgate Amplifier, 2-12inch Subs, 10inch sub(stock location), Sony In-Dash Radio, Cargo liner, Class III U-Haul Hitch

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11-08-2005, 02:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
pjb3 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 266 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I guess my question would be, what is the life of the AWD system on the Pilot? Unlike a diff or transfer case there will be clutch wear and what is the expected life of the clutches?

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