Hi all,

Just went to the stealership to have my airbag inflator replaced as part of the airbag recall (Cost = $0). While there they found/recommended these things:

-Power Steering Pump Leaking - $320 (part) + $120 (labor)
-Radiator Hoses (currently running originals, and supposedly in bad shape)+ Coolant - $320
-Front and Rear Differential Services (made is sound like some parts in addition to fluids?)- $100 + $125

Which of these can I realistically do myself?
Anyone recommend a dealership or mechanic in NJ that can do these for cheaper?

[I'm in a 2007 RDX w/71k Miles]

THANKS ALL!

 

The power steering pump is literally right in front of you on the left hand side of the engine. SUPER easy to replace. Just double check that it is even leaking. In terms of what you can do, it depends on how mechanically inclined you are.

 

Thanks, RDX10!

I've done some other minor work on the car myself. Does anyone have a walkthrough (w/pics) of how to replace the power steering pump, radiator hoses, or how to do the front/rear diff. fluid services? If I could see the process I'd be able to tell if I can do any of the service myself.

And if not, if anyone knows a good mechanic/dealer in NJ that would be helpful!

Thanks again!

 

I saved the service manual for the 2007 RDX a while ago as a reference for my 08 RDX. You can download from my Dropbox and check it out:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...E%20MANUAL.pdf

 

Wow, the old radiator hoses are in bad shape because the car is 10 years old. You can obviously replace hoses yourself, you may want to do it if you change your own anti-freeze out. But I would be dubious unless you see visible cracks on the outside. Not to say that something couldn't happen, but really, when is the last time you had one split on you, or you heard of someone having it split. Yes, in the old days, this happened more frequently. It is like the pay me now or pay me later oil change commercials at 3000 miles. When is the last time you heard a modern engine seizing up because of changing your oil at 6K or 10K miles. But yes, the RDX does have a 4 to 5K miles life for oil changes because of the turbo. Don't be scared into spending money for something that might happen. I have learned that expensive lesson one too many times, now I try and do as much on my own as I can. On my schedule and on my dime.

 

This is gold. Thanks!

My 2010 is at about 50,000KM. Looking to swap out all the Automatic Tranny Fluid, Transfer Case fluid & Rear Diff fluid.

 

im willing to lend a hand to help. i even have a garage at my shop all i ask is you show up with beer and or pizza!

 

Thanks, Wrench! I gotta find the time and get the car away from my wife and kid. (Also still need to install RV6 DP that I got!)

I found the P/S pump online for between $40-100 on ebay. You think I can trust some of these parts? I get that weird groaning sound out of my steering column and would hate to have that again with a new P/S pump.

 

Thank you for posting! Maybe now I will have the confidence to take on my rear diff and coolant flush.

 

Does the groaning sound only happens when you start the RDX? If it is, it could be the climate control mix door adjusting under the dash. I had this with my RDX and you have to re-grease the mix door.

Old Thread: https://acurazine.com/forums/1g-rdx-diy-faq-161/diy-%96-fix-driver-side-hvac-mix-door-noise-862172/

My power steering pump went out on my 06 TSX with 140k and I did the eBay motors thing and ordered a used pump from a 08 TSX with 73K for $100 total (also ordered red/black seals for under $8 for the pump). Zero issues after 2 months with the new/used pump. I also got the 6 month eBay parts warranty for $16.50 just incase.

 

THANKS MRGOLD!! That link above didn't actually work though... I'll search the site for it.
I suspect it might be the climate control mix door as you said. I specifically remember a time when I turned the AC up or down a few degrees it would consistently groan with every AC button press.

Ordered a new P/S pump on eBay w/month part warranty for $70 and gonna do the install when it arrives. Any specific parts I'll need?

 

Front and Rear Diff. fluid changes are quite simple DIYs. Both are inexpensive and totally worth doing, especially if you don't know the history of your vehicle.

You can't tell if a Radiator hose is bad unless you pull one off and look at it. They go bad (crack) from the inside out. If you can do a Radiator fluid change, you can do the hoses yourself as well. Some mechanics say if the outside of the hoses feel overly soft, they can tell it's bad.

 

Rossmo, are you installing the downpipe yourself? I don't have one yet, but was afraid of the potential challenge of getting the old one off. The forums here are all over the place on how to do it. Snake from the top, take an axle out, tilt the engine, all sorts of ideas. I guess I could try and pay someone to install, but what fun is that then. I just may try the ATLP exhaust one day, since I know I can do that. Just hate laying under the car. Let me know if you install it, how long it took, and any tricks of the trade. Thanks

 

Hues- I seriously doubt I'll be able to do the downpipe myself after reading all the feedback in the forum. The instructions make is sound simple, but after reading everything on the forum I think otherwise. I'm going to look for a quote from a local mechanic and see what it'll cost. I have the instructions that came with the downpipe and can upload them here, but I still don't think they help that much for me...

Also... I totally impulse ordered the ATLP Exhaust last week and it arrives on Monday! My thinking is that since it hooks into the same factory connections as the regular exhaust I should be able to get it done myself!

 

when do you want to do it you drive to me and well bang it out in a day easy! bring beer!! LOLOL

 

Thanks for the offer, Wrench! (Next time for sure!) I actually went ahead and had the DP and Exhaust done by a local guy. Time for a VitViper Tune and then turning my attention to cleaning and detailing this dirty thing...

ATLP Exhaust sounds really nice. The DP is a lot louder than I expected. My wife drove the car yesterday and said "The car is making a lot of noise. Is this normal?" (Basically meaning, "What did you do to the car?") I told her it's the new normal.

Here are some pics of the exhaust off the car. Look how freakin' rusted the old exhaust and downpipe are! Is this going to happen to the ATLP and RV6?