i recently bought a 1998 3.5 RL with 172000 miles on it, i have a few issues i need a little help with. When shifting in to reverse the rear end or tranny is making noise, shifting into drive is fine. It seems to shift hard under acceleration.
Secondly, my power steering tilt/telescope option isnt working, would this be a fuse? Im not able to find one. Also, my Odometer part of my guages isnt lighting up, any ideas on how to solve this problem? Eventually im looking to go with the VIP style with this project, any good tire/wheel size and offset suggestions?
Since im NOT wanting to build an Ebay car here, are there any good sources for parts and accessories? Any help is greatly appreciated......... Thanks

 

Do 3 consecutive transmission drain and fills with Honda/Acura ATF, driving a few miles between and going through all the gears to mix the old and new fluid. When I did this with my 98 after I bought it in 2007 (it had 148k miles at that point), the shifting smoothed out considerably. Has been great since. I do a drain/fill every 3 oil changes (so at 15k miles).

98 RL 200k miles

 

Okay, i'll give that a try, do you think this will fix the "kerchunck" when i shift in to reverse? i was thinking it was a universal joint, but it doesnt do it when shifting in to drive. Also can you tell me the fluid capacity for the tranny? Thanks.

 

When you drain it you only get about 3+ quarts out at a time, roughly 1/3 of the total capacity. You won't know how much it helps until you've done it, but sometimes it's significant. However, the klunk when entering reverse could also be an engine mount being worn.

 

That clunk going into reverse is most likely a motor or transmission mount. The telescopic problem could be a fuse. Mine stopped working briefly once and i pulled the fuse. It worked again after that, but now It is wearing out(1996 with 206k so its had a long life).

 

The gears that allow the telescoping and tilting functions may be jammed or missing a tooth. You'll need to remove the plastic covering to see for yourself. This also happened on the 1991-1995 Legend, so you may be able to find a solution on the Acura Legend forums.

 

Thanks, that makes alot of sense, wish i had thought of that before i started worrying about a bad tranny! LOL Do you remember which fuse it may be? i cant find one labeled for that option. Thanks.

 

After I rule out the fuses ill tackle that. Thanks for all your help!!

 

I agree with everybody else. It sounds like a motor mount or transmission mount. Also, the gears that move your steering wheel column is most likely worn.

 

any suggestions on the odometer issue?