Rear Diff grinding/vibration after Fluid Change HONDA CRV 2005

[David]

Hi guys,

Last night, I just changed the rear differential fluid of my 04′(MY05) HONDA CRV, using GENUINE HONDA FLUID. However, I drove it up to the shops tonight (first drive since changing it). It drove fine, BUT, when I turn corners/going around a roundabout, the rear differentials makes a vibrating grinding type noise :/.
On the way home, I drove around the roundabout maybe 4x incase the rear differential needed some fresh lubing from being drained, but still doing it.

One thing I noticed when I drove it tonight, when it grinds/vibrates, it feels like the car is being pulled up or the wheels are being resisted while trying to turn.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Perhaps it needs a bit more fluid than I put in ? The manual says 1.2L … I think I only put in 1L .. is the missing 200mL likely to make a difference and possibly cause this problem ??

[EDIT] Just to confirm… there’s only 1 fill hole in the rear differential ? There’s no secret 2nd fill hole/chamber that need filling too ?

Here’s a link to my ‘dropbox’ with an audio clip. Sorry for the scratching in some parts, I put the phone in the boot and drove around, so it slid a little.

1st grinding starts just after 1:20 as I approach the roundabout. I drove around the block, but made a couple of u-turns here and there.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/uxjr5yqtjz6vi7s/Honda%20CRV%20Rear%20Diff%20grinding.aac?dl=0

Thanks in advance 🙂

Topic

[Mike]

Since you only state that you used”GENUINE HONDA FLUID” I’ll ask;
Did you use Honda Dual Pump Fluid or Honda Dual Pump Fluid II ?
(In the EU Honda DPSF 08293-99902-HE is the same as Dual Pump Fluid II.)

Even if you used the correct fluid, when the fluid level is too low, you will have problems.
There are only 2 plugs–no secret, hidden ones.

You must fill the differential to the very bottom of the fill hole.

First try this:
Fill the differential to the bottom of the fill hole and see if the noise goes away.

If it does not, then do this:
Make around 10 tight left turns, followed by 10 tight right turns.
This scrapes any oxidation off the clutch plates in the differential.
Follow this with another draining and more brand new Honda Dual Pump Fluid II / DPSF 08293-99902-HE up to the bottom of the fill hole.
The reason for this second drain and new fluid is to remove the particles of contaminants that were on the clutches and in the fluid.
The noise should be gone after this.

Let us know how you fare.

[David]

Thanks Bonnieman,

I used DPSFII Dual Pump Fluid.

I’l top it up tomorrow then take it for a spin, see how it goes. Hopefully all goes well. Ill keep you posted

[David]

Update: Topped it up, still did it, but took it for a drive, and did some circles. Seemed to pretty much be gone now.

I ended up putting in another 500ml (instead of the 200ml I thought was left) :/ … still have 500ml in the bottle, so tomorrow, Ill drain out 500ml from the rear diff and just top it up with fresh stuff.

note to self: don’t assume to know how much fluid is in something. fill till spill.

Thanks 🙂

[Mike]

I wouldn’t just drain some and top it off.
The particulates can be suspended in the differential fluid, so they’ll remain in the differential.
Better to spend a few extra dollars and save the clutches in the differential.

[Author]

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