I took my RL in for its first service and asked for a tech to listen to the 70-75 mile whine. Sure enough he heard it right away even though it was pretty faint on the noisy road. Half way through we switched seats and he reproduced it on the way back. Because it was now a warranty situation I got a nice 06 TSX as a loaner and was on my way. Just got a call. They strained the diff fluid and found nothing wrong. Acura wants to see the differential so they've ordered a new one, should be in the car by Wednesday.

I'm a little nervous about this type of surgery but encouraged by the service provided by Autowest Acura on Stevens Creek in Santa Clara. I'll keep you posted.

 

Please keep us posted of this! To my knowledge, Acura has never admitted that something is wrong with the differential, which, I believe, IS the source of this noise that several of us are hearing. Thank you!

 

Yeah needless to say I was surprised and impressed that the tech a) heard the noise and b) that Acura is listening to him and wants to take the diff apart.

 

Yes please keep us posted as I have the same whine in mine at the same speed.

 

I'm thinking I should probably start going to Stevens Creek instead of Los Gatos. And they are closer to me, too.

 

 

Wow I usually get bad service from S. Creek. That's why I bought mine from Los Gatos Acura - and take if for service there.

Please let us know how this turns out.

 

I got the same noise. My car is going in for service on 4/17 from some strange rattle behind the NAV screen. Hopefully they have your RL fixed by then. I will have the tech hear the 70-75mph noise, but I am sure I will get the "normal" SH-AWD run-around....

 

Insist on going for a drive with a seasoned mechanic. This was done at my dealer without my prompting, it's their SOP for these types of issues. Once they hear the noise, have them call Acura or Acura of Stevens Creek. The parts and service number is (877) 289-9549. The dealer really has no incentive not to investigate this. If it results in repairs they get paid by Acura. It could be that Acura will not authorize many diff replacements till they understand the problem. At least this way your record will show that you notified Acura of this issue in case it comes back to bite later on.

 

Thanks Nocturnal. I will do that. I have requested a specific tech. He's been with Acura for 15 years and is pretty seasoned. Thanks for the advice. Good Luck on gettting it fixed..

 

Ok, just got an update. The new diff is in. Box is the size of a fridge. Their top guy (who road tested with me) won't be in till tomorrow and he's going to work on it. It's their first diff replacement (gulp) so Acura will be on the phone to help where needed. Probably won't be fixed till Friday.

 

Nocturnal! Please keep us posted!

 

Ok, update. They swapped the diff and drove it again. SAME NOISE. Drove several 06 RLs. SAME NOISE. So Acura doesn't know where it's coming from and even suggested it may be an intake noise. Not out of the question as it's load related but can easily be tested by using the manual over ride to change the rpms and intake volume. At least I think that will change the intake volume. If the noise stays then it's speed related. If it goes away it's load related.

So no fix yet but I have to give them A for effort.