One more week of midterms and I’ll be able to take some pics and video of the car and a proper introduction.

I was wondering if anything needs to be replaced when doing a visual inspection of the timing belt? I’m dropping the car off at the mechanic on Monday to have a CV joint serviced and I wan’t them to check out the timing belt in order to verify that it has been done by the PO or if I need to shell out the cash for it.


Passanger side is making the clicking noise. What part # is the CV joint and is it best to replace half or whole or both sides? Enlighten me please. I want to buy the part to prevent getting ripped off and to ensure good parts are going in the car.

 

You can just remove the front camshaft pulley cover ,(5) 10mm bolts) and then you can turn the motor over with the 19mm crankshaft bolt.
That way you can visually inspect belt for free.
just google acura cl passenger axle with your year car and some replacements will come up.

 

Buying an OEM axle is going to run ~$650 with a discount. The pass side is part number 44305-S0K-C11

You can buy the seperate parts and rebuild them though. Unfortunately, the main part you need to replace (the bearing) is only sold with the joint which sells for $260.

http://www.acuraoemparts.com/delray/...All&vinsrch=no

 

I don’t even know what to look for when doing this and currently and don’t have the time to check myself. I’ll drop it off a the mechanic tomorrow and see what he says but thanks for the reply.

 

Wow thats way more than I has anticipated. Do I need an entire axle or can would i just need to get a new CV Half Shaft Assembly? THis is the item I found on RockAuto.

 

Where are you located? Some of us can u out with what you need to be done. Timing belt service will cost you in honda/acura shop around 600-800$ and at the dealer 800-1200$ parts itself cost around 250-300$ it should be done every 105k or 7years which ever comes first. If you have some basic tools i can provide some pics or info of how to check the belt.

 

Its easier to replace whole axle and you can get these at advance auto parts for 50-70$ with discount.

 

Im in South Florida; around the Ft.Lauderdale area. Is it difficult to do the service? Including belt, tensions, and water pump. I would really appreciate having an educated CL owner kinda give a once over on other things that are giving me the Such as noise in the engine (which i might make a video for) and a slight jerking when shifting. My first manual and it might all be normal or due to operator malfunction I’m really not trying to drive the car as much mainly due to the timing belt... its a 2003 with 78k miles

 

So OEM is 650 while from AutoZone 50-70...Is that right? That sounds crazy!

 

So I called Advance and they said 70 for the shaft assembly. The shaft assembly includes the new CV joint components? haha I’m such a noob

Are the parts from Advance just a reliable and robust as OEM? Will OEM be more or less reliable? A better fit? I am like a sponge just trying to absorb as much as possible lol

I am going to hit up Kaleb (WholeSalePartsGuy) for the timing belt kit if needed. Can you give me pictures to check the Timing Belt? Maybe I should do this myself and get over my NOOB stage ha

SO DIY= 300 (kit) and 70 (axle assembly) = around $400

Mechanic= around $1,200

Dealer= don’t even want to know $$$$

 

I'm a bit busy with engine swap atm but if you give me
few days im sure i can help you out.

 

In my experience, the Auto Zone/Advance Auto axle quality is hit or miss. They do have a lifetime warranty though.

 

Ok that sounds good! Wouldn’t mind seeing what kind of swap your doing

 

The price difference is unbelievable. Its seems like a no brainer but I would hate to do the job twice or pay to do it twice.

Whats the consensus on the 2001-2003 3.2 Heml guide? Always had a manual for all the cars I’ve owned. Usually end up using them if I had no money to have the car repaired. DIY is scary to me on this car because I don’t want to eff it up and I’m only used to working on Ford V8’s (such easy cars to work on).

 

These cars are easy to work on as well. A bit daunting at first considering all the electronics, but easy nonetheless.

Get the Helms manual. Its an invaluable resource.

 

The link below leads to a '99-03 TL manual. It will provide answers if you are able to interpret.

http://home.comcast.net/~amberlani01/ServiceManual.pdf

Good Luck.

 

Purchased!

 

Tried to use the link you gave me but after 10 minutes it didn’t load and kinda was just creeping slowly along the download bar. Then I tried to click out of it and it froze my internet and ultimately my computer. Had to force restart.

 

It isn't. My advice spend the dime on good parts. Or you will have to replace the axles again in 50K miles or less.

There's a reason the aftermarket ones are cheap there are some differences & some things like a balance weight they don't have & a OEM one does.

BTW stop stressing the timing belt. Your not at the mileage. The car will be fine. It's not something that's going to be a problem for you yet.

 

Its got about 9 years on it....

 

What's up guys?...so I have a 03 cl-s and I'm looking for the lip kit and fog lights for it where can I find these at good prices?

 

I dropped the car off at the mechanic to have him look at it. I got quoted 850 for the axle assembly when I called Delray Acura...

Dropped the car off today. Does one need to remove the valve cover in order to inspect the timing belt? The mechanic told me today that he might have to.

 

Nope.
You might have to remove the plastic beauty plate that has the 3.2 v-tec on it if that.
And that comes off with 2 screw clips that back off with a half of a turn each.

Changing your spark plugs would be more difficult to do than checking your belt.

 

Dropped the car off and got it back today. They said they could not reproduce or see and issue with the front axle assembly/ CV joint. Maybe since the car was sitting for a couple months this issue occurred but healed itself. Something I will keep an eye on. Not satisfied with the timing belt inspection. Car went in and out way too fast to check anything. Anyhow, what do I know. THe said it also need a front engine mount.

Quote is $500 on labor only for:
Waterpump
Hydraulic Tensioner
Pulley (?)
Pulley (?)
Timing belt
Camshaft seal
Seal(?)
Engine Mount replacement

 

Did you call cartek?

 

It would only take 15 minutes to check the belt like I mentioned to you.
500 is not a bad deal.
as long as their not jackasses.

 

I called Cartek and spoke to a guy there who gave me a quote of $950 for all the items I mentioned. He said they ONLY use OEM parts which makes me happy. Any other parts/ service that I should have done while thy are doing the work? Also, you think I can go better than OEM parts for extra reliability?

 

My main conserns would be using the oem gaskets and seals for any job you are doing with the car.
They are known to last.
Lesser quaility on those and your asking for trouble.

 

Not really. I don't think that all that work needs to be done right now though. My advice is to wait & enjoy the car. It's not going to suddenly crap out. But it's your car.
Pay with cash & he won't charge you tax.