I had a thumping noise coming from the rear differential of my 2003 crv. After changing the rear differential fluid (twice) the noise is gone! Thanks for the info. It made the whole process much easier.
Thank you for your video. It helped me realize I could do this myself. Have had loud ringing noise out of passenger side rear of car. I just finished changing rear dif. fluid after watching your video. For those wondering...2 quarts of Dual pump fluid and two crush washers were $23.14 at Honda dealer by my house. Estimate for dealer to do it...$98.00. Worth of knowing how to do this myself...priceless. Thanks for your vid. Off to see if brakes are the problem.
I have a 2006 cr-v, my plugs are up next to another part. I don't see how I can get a rachet in there to loosen bolts. Is this common in some models? Any suggestions?
@rhondacobian You might consider looking into a square drive socket cap. Go to Harbor Freight Tools website and search "socket cap". It's like $4. It's a piece that has a 3/8 drive on one side (which will fit into the drain and fill plugs), and the other side can fit a 9/16" wrench. Hopefully that will be low profile enough for you. Some people have said that jacking up the driver's rear wheel can give you more room to work too - but I dont have a 2006 so I dont know for sure.
I have a 2006 Honda CRV Se AWD. At around 35-45 mph, the rear is making quiet but rapid thud noises. I think it might be the axles or I just need to change my diff oil. Is the 2002 crv have the same diff as the one in the 2006 model?? Oh and can you please make a video testing the AWD system of the crv because sone people say that it isnt a real awd system. Can you validate Honda's claim pls? Thanks!!! Nero Cinense
@nerocinense Classic symptoms for a rear differential issue is a groaning sound from the rear diff during tight turns at slow speeds. So your sounds would not be typical for this issue. Yes, the 2002-2006 models are generation 2 and have the same differential. Our CRVs have what's known as RT4WD. Whether you call that AWD or not is up to you.
I have a 2005 Honda CR-V and it is making a thud thud thud during sharp turns. I was wondering if changing the differential fluid would correct that or if it was something else?
I had the screetching sound come out of the rear of my 2001 CR-V at low speed U turns as many other have. After reading many forums, I figured I should try changing the diff oil. So I got 2 quarts of Dual pump II (you actually need 1.2QT per change so get 3) at the dealship which cost $15CND and 2 crush washers at $2.50CND each. I replaced the fluid once then took it to lot and did some low speed turns for 5min in both direction and then changed the oil again and Voila! No more sceetching!
Good video, but from what I've read, you are suppose to drain fluid, put in new fluid, drive to an empty parking lot and do about 5-10 circles left and right, and THEN drain fluid again, and put in some more new fluid. Of course if you do it that way, you wanna wait till the second draining to put on your new crush washers.
Thats the way I did it. Now that I think about it, maybe that method is for people already experiencing the grinding sound, which I was.
According to the manual, a change replaces 1.1 qts while the total capacity is 1.3 qts. So if you do a single drain and fill you will exchange about 85% of the fluid. So if you do it twice, you would have 93% new fluid. Twice seems better than once.
Of course, the manual also asks for a change every 90k miles. in any case, I only do a single change - every 30k.
Do AWD cars have a front differential that needs to serviced? I'm still learning, so I don't much about differentials. Do all cars have them? How come only the rear needs to be serviced? Also, I saw some videos where you have to replace the gasket, is that only on old differentials...are the ones like yours different? Sorry for the simple questions :) Do FWD cars have differentials that need fluid changes?
The AWD Honda CR-V have a transmission fluid (for both manual and auto) that needs to be changed. And then there's the rear differential you see in this video.
The owners manual states 90k. However, my differential first started making a grinding at 42k. Therefore i change every 35k. If you read some internet forums, a lot of folks are changing it every 30k.
This hand pump was bought at Kragen auto parts store. I think it cost me somewhere between $7-10. It was a pennzoil brand. Before I had one of these, I used a funnel with a long plastic tube which I filled by gravity. Less convenient than a hand pump.
Thank you so much for diy videos, you have helped me out tons and saved me alot of money!!
kurnel00 2 months ago
I had a thumping noise coming from the rear differential of my 2003 crv. After changing the rear differential fluid (twice) the noise is gone! Thanks for the info. It made the whole process much easier.
ericjanelleadrian 4 months ago
Also can I use other brand generic name for the diff fluid ? thxxx
sakitlikod1 4 months ago
hi, is the crv has to be in level ground to fill & get the right amount of the fluid? and how many miles to change this diff fluid? thxxx
sakitlikod1 4 months ago
Thank you for your video. It helped me realize I could do this myself. Have had loud ringing noise out of passenger side rear of car. I just finished changing rear dif. fluid after watching your video. For those wondering...2 quarts of Dual pump fluid and two crush washers were $23.14 at Honda dealer by my house. Estimate for dealer to do it...$98.00. Worth of knowing how to do this myself...priceless. Thanks for your vid. Off to see if brakes are the problem.
arrosconpollo1 6 months ago
@cadw600. I got mine mail order from HandA accessories.
ajchien 1 year ago
where do you get 20mm aluminum crush washers?
cadw600 1 year ago
I have a 2006 cr-v, my plugs are up next to another part. I don't see how I can get a rachet in there to loosen bolts. Is this common in some models? Any suggestions?
rhondacobian 1 year ago
@rhondacobian You might consider looking into a square drive socket cap. Go to Harbor Freight Tools website and search "socket cap". It's like $4. It's a piece that has a 3/8 drive on one side (which will fit into the drain and fill plugs), and the other side can fit a 9/16" wrench. Hopefully that will be low profile enough for you. Some people have said that jacking up the driver's rear wheel can give you more room to work too - but I dont have a 2006 so I dont know for sure.
ajchien 1 year ago
I have a 2006 Honda CRV Se AWD. At around 35-45 mph, the rear is making quiet but rapid thud noises. I think it might be the axles or I just need to change my diff oil. Is the 2002 crv have the same diff as the one in the 2006 model?? Oh and can you please make a video testing the AWD system of the crv because sone people say that it isnt a real awd system. Can you validate Honda's claim pls? Thanks!!! Nero Cinense
nerocinense 1 year ago
@nerocinense Classic symptoms for a rear differential issue is a groaning sound from the rear diff during tight turns at slow speeds. So your sounds would not be typical for this issue. Yes, the 2002-2006 models are generation 2 and have the same differential. Our CRVs have what's known as RT4WD. Whether you call that AWD or not is up to you.
ajchien 1 year ago
@nerocinense maybe your u-joints
outdoorsman310 10 months ago
I have a 2005 Honda CR-V and it is making a thud thud thud during sharp turns. I was wondering if changing the differential fluid would correct that or if it was something else?
lovetoraft96 1 year ago
@lovetoraft96 I think you have some troubleshooting to do. Your symptoms could be from the rear diff or from something else.
ajchien 1 year ago
Your video is very useful, thank you!
Greetings from Russia.
Vinovnik01 1 year ago
is it the same for a 2002 crv?
geenee72 1 year ago
@geenee72 should be identical
ajchien 1 year ago
What kind of fluid your using? Is it Honda brand? Thanks.
Star113cc 1 year ago
@Star113cc I am using Honda Dual Pump Fluid II, 1.1qts
ajchien 1 year ago
I had the screetching sound come out of the rear of my 2001 CR-V at low speed U turns as many other have. After reading many forums, I figured I should try changing the diff oil. So I got 2 quarts of Dual pump II (you actually need 1.2QT per change so get 3) at the dealship which cost $15CND and 2 crush washers at $2.50CND each. I replaced the fluid once then took it to lot and did some low speed turns for 5min in both direction and then changed the oil again and Voila! No more sceetching!
arthurbou 1 year ago
I have a 2006 Honda Element EX AWD. I think I need to change the fluid too. Is it the same for an Element? Any help would be awesome!
GenzorX 1 year ago
@GenzorX Should be very very similar.
ajchien 1 year ago
Good video, but from what I've read, you are suppose to drain fluid, put in new fluid, drive to an empty parking lot and do about 5-10 circles left and right, and THEN drain fluid again, and put in some more new fluid. Of course if you do it that way, you wanna wait till the second draining to put on your new crush washers.
Thats the way I did it. Now that I think about it, maybe that method is for people already experiencing the grinding sound, which I was.
N0GGINB0NKER 2 years ago
According to the manual, a change replaces 1.1 qts while the total capacity is 1.3 qts. So if you do a single drain and fill you will exchange about 85% of the fluid. So if you do it twice, you would have 93% new fluid. Twice seems better than once.
Of course, the manual also asks for a change every 90k miles. in any case, I only do a single change - every 30k.
ajchien 2 years ago
Thanks for uploading video:)
Felipecabesas 2 years ago
Do AWD cars have a front differential that needs to serviced? I'm still learning, so I don't much about differentials. Do all cars have them? How come only the rear needs to be serviced? Also, I saw some videos where you have to replace the gasket, is that only on old differentials...are the ones like yours different? Sorry for the simple questions :) Do FWD cars have differentials that need fluid changes?
mrjost55 2 years ago
The AWD Honda CR-V have a transmission fluid (for both manual and auto) that needs to be changed. And then there's the rear differential you see in this video.
ajchien 2 years ago
Does the 2WD CR-V have a differential that you can change the oil?
wetweasel56 2 years ago
Sorry, the rear differential is only found on AWD CRVs. So if you have a 2WD you won't have all this fun. :)
ajchien 2 years ago
Hey Thanks, How many miles before you need a change? Thanks ~Shawn~
shawngixxer 2 years ago
The owners manual states 90k. However, my differential first started making a grinding at 42k. Therefore i change every 35k. If you read some internet forums, a lot of folks are changing it every 30k.
ajchien 2 years ago
Is this service for the 4WD CRV only?
roughrider119 2 years ago
Yes. It's for the AWD CRV.
ajchien 2 years ago
Thanks, where do you buy that pump?
shawngixxer 2 years ago
This hand pump was bought at Kragen auto parts store. I think it cost me somewhere between $7-10. It was a pennzoil brand. Before I had one of these, I used a funnel with a long plastic tube which I filled by gravity. Less convenient than a hand pump.
ajchien 2 years ago