DeathMetal

iTrader: (2)

Long story short: I had Hamilton Honda replace my driver side axle for a new one. I identified that the boot was puking grease about 2 months ago, but between work and the family I just have NOT been able to get there.

So, over the course of the past two months, the vibration has gotten MUCH worse. The tires are new. The alignment is good. The wheels are balanced. The suspension is new.

I believe that the leak from the boot has allowed debris to pass in to bearing...I'm starting to hear a click when initially turning from a long duration of no motion (+2hrs).

Hamilton Honda has admitted they are at fault and the car will be going back on Monday. I am concerned they are simply going to remove the boot, clean, and repack...I believe they should replace the bearing AT A MINIMUM.

Do you think that's legit?

Undying Dreams

iTrader: (3)

Yeah, they should replaced the bearing.

heza

Don't know how a leaky boot is going to affect a wheel bearing so much. Id expect the leaky boot over two months shed plenty of grease thereby leaving no lube for the constant velocity joint to not grind itself apart. Just my thought.

Plus.. when wheel bearings go, you can hear them moan.

UA6~RBP

I believe I'm going in to our local Honda dealer for this same repair later this month. Hopefully I won't run into any trouble

I agree, they really should replace the bearing.

ez12a

yeah, not sure about the bearing... the grease between the bearing and the axle are not shared. The only interface with the bearing, or the hub for that matter is the splined shaft. But if they're gonna fix it on their dime then

VanyDotK

iTrader: (6)

Anybody else surprised that a dealership actually took responsibility and actually admitted fault?

DeathMetal

iTrader: (2)

I wouldn't mind, but there is a RIDICULOUS amount of vibration on the passenger side where the axle was replaced.

I am going to ask that the vibration be examined at the least and see if they can deduce on their own merit that this axle is the culprit. I don't know WTF else could be causing it.

I'd doubt there's much left.

heza

..and then you start talking about passenger side. Sorry, had to call it.

truonghthe

I think other member from here also had bad experience with Hamilton Honda replacing axle.

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

I think I am having the same issue.

Has anyone here done this themselves?

Tehvine

Honda axles are easy to replace. The only "annoying" part is freeing the knuckle from the ball joints. As long as you have a ball joint separator, a nice pry bar, some time, and jack stands/lift, you can do it. Just make sure you unstake and get the axle nut loose before you jack up the car. Other than that, the axles literally pop out and in from the trans.

ez12a

I completely failed at replacing the passenger side, but dont let my experience stop you!

Elegant TYPE S

iTrader: (2)

The passenger side axle is tithe longer of the two and should've been replaced first or both together. Now that your drivers side is fresh the geometry or what not is that your passenger side vibration just got real bad. This is just faulty design on Acura not the Honda dealer.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Just a note of caution, the passenger side axle does not come out of the trans, it's removed from the intermediate shaft.

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

Actually my problem is the ball joint. Passenger side ball joint is a bit noisy. Clicks every now and then when I make a full turn.

DeathMetal

iTrader: (2)

I sincerely doubt that the shaft puking grease is a design flaw.

mY sLOW UA6

Me.

Elegant TYPE S

iTrader: (2)

You're right. I don't know about that part. But I can tell you I only have 80k on my car and I'm on my 3rd set of axles for the same symptoms you describe. Excessive vibration under the floor boards and more pronounced in 5th gear low RPM coasting.

My independent mechanic is also a Honda tech and he diagnosed my problem when all the dealers would do is say "couldnt replicate problem". And he also informed me that being dropped expedites the process. I have the extended warranty or else I'd be livid.

DeathMetal

iTrader: (2)

Hmmm, well, since you're an unfortunate vet in this category, did this travel in to the steering wheel as well? That's what killing me more than anything right now.

Elegant TYPE S

iTrader: (2)

I never let the vibrations get that bad. So I make sure as soon as it comes, it goes straight to the dealer. I was lowered for a good portion of my miles as well. I think yours is really bad or was aggravated by fixing one side and now the problem shifted over to the passenger side quickly.

If I were you I would get the axles from Advanced Auto Part and have my mechanic install them. Those axles come with lifetime warranty I believe so you'll be straight. And from what I've seen others do they get them after coupons for about $100 I think.

Another option is Raxles. Search that.

If i remember correctly you are in NJ. My mechanic is close to Hackensack, NJ. He's a bit hard to get in touch with but you'll love his work/expertise I can assure you that. Don't know how much Honda charging you but I can't imagine it being cheap.

Majofo

GSP shafts FTW!.. I've had them on the X for almost 4 years now. They're fucking fantastic, paid $75 / each.. free S&H to the door. Paid my trans guy $100 to put them in and done.

DeathMetal

iTrader: (2)

Absolutley not. If you have ever been to Hamilton, take a short trip to the main lobby wherein you’ll find the walls emblazoned with every possible accolade Honda has to offer and then some – these guys obviously know what they’re doing, and such positive reviews can only be generated when a customer TRUSTS the service provider; admitting fault is an integral part of this process.

UPDATE – YOU GOTTA READ THIS!
The car is now back at Honda and under evaluation…which is of nothing new, but this is: on my way out the door, I was approached and asked, “Are you the one that posted on Acurazine?” It was the manager, and he is well aware of this thread!



I will say this…while I was a bit surprised, more than anything I was IMPRESSED. Hamilton obviously cares enough about their reputation to keep tabs on all reviews posted of their organization, which in my opinion speaks volumes of their commitment to service.

The jury is still out on the axle repair with final review expected today…but at least this morning I have to say we’re starting on a good foot.

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

^^^^

I agree with ya. I rather work with a company that care about their rep and making something right than their bottom line. We are all in business to make money but taking care of a customer is part of that long term investment.

I was very happy with Hamilton Honda when they did my TB service earlier this year. I will use them again.

94eg!

Usually once the outboard axle boot gets a rip, it flings it's grease out of the hole onto the rim from only the side of the boot where the rip resides. The heavy grease on one half of the rim brings the wheel out of balance. The more grease that gets flung out over time, the more the wheel gets out of balance. If they replace the axle or boot and fail to clean the grease out of the wheel completely, the vibration will remain. Most mechanics don't like to wash grease out of the wheel, so this is something to look for.

DeathMetal

iTrader: (2)

Just received the car back and BOY could I not be happier. Joel and his team went far ABOVE AND BEYOND what I had expected to get things RIGHT and did even allude to one iota of resistance in accomplishing the repair.

I do a significant amount of driving (500miles weekly), so for you short-runners you have no idea how much a non-compliant ride can wear on one's peace of mind. While I'll admit I should have taken it back earlier, with a little one at home, class at night, and steadfast work demands on softening the blow for an impeding furlough, free time was just not on the docket. Over that period, driving became genuinely UPSETTING...but that's over now. Once back on the familiar stretch on 295 cruising at 75mph with no vibration, a wave of relief washed over my body. I don't mean that with any sentiment of hyperbole - there was a literal loss of an albatross that had been here far too long.

You hear of Hamilton quite often on these forums, and with good reason - let this be a study showing that they are not just there during the service, but BEHIND the service as well, which is a rarity these days.

I paid for the original axle repair...Joel Mccomsey and his staff gave me peace of mind. Hamilton Honda ROCKS.

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Glad to see everything worked out, buddy.

oneglory

they should just expand to have an acura dealer as well. they have the land as they own the lot next door I believe. All the staff park over there it looks like.

truonghthe

lol at the service manager trolling on Azine

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Service manager is Ron A...
I'm almost sure of it.

Glad to hear it worked, out buddy...although I'm happy with Acura of Pembroke Pines...I don't know that I could write THAT sort of stuff about them just yet. My last few run ins with the service guy and my cracked dash and broken bluetooth left me very disillusioned.

Franchise1124

This is the stuff I like to read about. I have no reservations about driving down to Hamilton to have them do my 105k service next year because of positive reviews like this. Glad it all worked out for you, OP

DeathMetal

iTrader: (2)

Thanks, Steve!

Getting there around 6:31am I can tell you this - the staff parks closest to the respective entrance door to the area in which they work.

Word of mouth is a powerful revenue generator for the operations, certainly one of the smarter business moves I've seen.

Which would be HILARIOUS...and I'd wonder why Joel assumes the monkier Ron A.

Sorry to hear that, Jer. Hamilton Honda has dispelled any such concerns for me. I had previously been using Davis Acura until Hamilton was popping up all over here.

DeathMetal

iTrader: (2)

Thanks, brother. This is THE place for the 105k service, rest assured of that!!!

NBP04TL4ME

Very good to hear. Almost makes me wish my TB was due to be replaced sooner. It will be several years before I need to get this done on my TLS, but our MDX will be due sometime next year.

Majofo

Hmm... would they have responded the same if you didn't start a thread?

I find it really strange that they approached you.

DMZ

My Hamilton Honda experience:

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...light=hamilton

They're the ONLY place to go for the timing belt/water pump job!
.
.

lucnex

iTrader: (3)

Raxles all the way!!! When mine showed up in the mail you could tell that they were built to last. They have a lifetime warranty as well, are built in the USA and are made with synthetic grease in the boots....I was afraid of the GSP axles after hearing about a lot of people experiencing vibrations even after installing them

Majofo

luc.. how much did you spend for your raxle shafts incl shipping?

lucnex

iTrader: (3)

339.75 shipped to my door for both axles

Majofo

Still cheaper than OEM but only by $100. I do like that they LLT it.. can they make a beefier shaft or spec to order?

lucnex

iTrader: (3)

I think they are better quality than OEM and cheaper.....not sure if OEM uses synthetic grease or not (dont think so but could be wrong) and they never regrind their shafts like all those crappy China ones...plus customer service is A+ and you even get a little Raxle pocketknife with your order!

Not sure if you can get a beefier shaft but they make them all by hand so I would assume so if the part exists?