Absolutely! Lower wheels or suspension, or any surface less than smooth & level and you will want to raise the car. Just be sure to use jack stands, and be careful under there!
Excellent!! So easy to follow, spoke clearly, perfect visual....one of the best youtube instructional video I have seen! Post more for Honda Elements! Thank you!
I just bought a 2007 Element and checked the differential fluid. It's quite pink and clean looking, so I'm going to hold off on changing it for now. Glad for this video, so I knew how to check it! So easy.
Excellent! These are really fun cars that respond to care. Stay on the fluid and filter changes and they can really last a long time. Be sure to watch my other Honda Element videos for more service ideas!
Totally, I also watched the transmission fluid change and am definitely doing that one soon. Saving so much money by just buying the fluids and few parts and doing it myself. I'm pleased how easy many of the jobs are on an 07 Honda, as I was sad to part with a 94 Corolla that was easy to work on. Thanks again for your videos!
Thanks for the easy to follow video. My Honda dealer wanted $195 for the service. I can do the job for less than $10 for the parts since I have a business account with the dealer. Is their a torque setting for the two bolts?
Thanks! Yes, there is a torque setting, I just am a little fuzzy on that. I think it is 35 lbs.ft for most years, but the key thing is that you use new crush washers. (And yes, dealer service prices are out of this world!)
@@FlashDriveFilms Edit: The dealer north of me wanted $195 and my local dealer who finally called me back charged $89 for the service, parts included. So I decided to have my Honda dealer do the service instead. Living in an apartment doesn't allow me to service my vehicle in the street.
Excellent! The absolute best outcome for my videos is that it helps you make an informed decision & save money on car service. If that means getting a good value at the dealer, that is all for the good. I am very pleased to hear that.
No separate fluid for the front. The ATF acts just like it does in every front wheel drive car transaxle, using it for the transmission gears and the differential drive. Be sure to see my Honda Element Automatic Transmission Fluid Change video as well.
The Honda procedures also call for 10 left tight-radius 360-degree turns with the steering wheel turned all the way, followed by 10 to the right before executing this procedure.
+Phoenix Gasperini Well look on the bright side, you have accomplished two things: you narrowed down what the rumble might be coming from by eliminating the fluid quality as the cause. And you put brand new fluid in the differential, and that can't be bad. Best of luck in tracking down the cause, and here's to hoping it is easy & inexpensive ! Alden
+FlashDriveFilms I bought it used at 106k with no prior service record so its not going to be cheap when most of the fluids look bad. The bright side is that im enjoying learning my car. I'm going to try a oil change back to OEM oil and try a 3 cycle trans fluid change next.
Phoenix Gasperini 106K is barely broken in! Seriously , stay up on the service intervals and these last for many years and many more miles. Automatic transmission fluid change is great idea. For the engine oil change, I do recommend the original Honda filters and regular (non-synthetic) 5w-20 oil. Also, get a couple spare taillight bulbs. They are a little different (not 1157 or 1156) and can be harder to find when you need them.
@@FlashDriveFilms whats the reasoning behind not using synthetic oil?- I've used synthetic in my 2005 CRV and I'm over 330K with zero oil burn. I'm not trying to be a showboat here - is there a documented reason for not going synthetic in a Honad vtec engine?
Great video, thanks for taking the time to make it. We have an 08 ex awd, and had the rear diff fluid flushed by a mechanic. Car was running great before, but being purchased as a pre-owned still wanted to change all fluids and start fresh. Mileage is at 220k right now. Rear diff fluid changed, and now we have vibrating when turning the wheel slightly left or right, and funky whining noise when shifting gears (5sp manual). Wondering if we should flush a second time? All mechanic told us was that it was very very low on diff fluid when he went to drain. Anyone else have this issue?? If so, what'd you do?
The vibration when turning the wheel sounds more like CV joints to me. at 220K they may have been changed (or not!) but they may be ready again. Definitely have them looked at just in case. Alden
This is somet I have to do at some point. Where did you get your little hand pump? I also have an AWD problem. It engages with a mild bump when I accelerate quickly otherwise it is fine if I accelerate less quickly.
There are several different versions of the hand pump. I put an affiliate link to one type in the description (that does compensate me ) but there are other options, and, as always, do shop around and get what works best for you.
@@FlashDriveFilms oh by all means make some money off of your connections and affiliates. That's what it's all about isn't it? I guess what I was wondering is if they are a common item at an auto parts store
There isn't a separate transfer case. All the 4-wheel drive stuff is in the same housing and shares fluid with the transaxle. There is a rear differential, and I have a video on changing that fluid as well.
Not necessarily. If you mean you re-used the old crush washers, as long as they were not crimped or damaged, and you tightened the plug snugly, you should be OK. DO check every once in a while where you park, looking for drips. If you mean you totally left out ANY crush washer at all, yes, that would be an issue. In that case, definitely get some new ones and put them in!
The process doesn't call for it. I suppose you could if you want to, but it isn't necessary, costs money you don't have to spend, and will make it that much harder to loosen the drain bolt the next tie you change the fluid. Alden
Great video! I did the fluid change and used the proper Honda fluid. I had no noise prior to the change I just wanted to put some love into my 2008 Element. After the change I have hydraulic type whining sound coming from my rear differential when I'm backing in reverse. No noises at any other time. Any ideas as to what may have changed or what might be wrong? Thanks
The only thing I can think of is if there is enough fluid in it? The other strange thing is that, although the 4WD system does engage in reverse, it is activated by slippery conditions. (the front wheels spinning faster than the rear) So it seems odd if the rear diff would be doing anything in reverse unless there is a loss of traction. Be sure to check for drips under the back of the car or around the axles where they connect. I can't think of any reason for a new noise after the change. Alden
Here is the deal; A complete coincidence, my brake pad wear indicators started to cry/squeal in reverse right after I changed the rear differential fluid. I thought it must have been something I had done, the differential was the only thing I messed with. For the brakes to whine immediately after the fluid change is so random, and hilarious! I was sweating it for a few days until it dawned on me that the noise was the brakes.
WHEW! Excellent! Rear brakes are much easier than a differential problem! Be sure to watch my "Honda Element Rusty Rotor" video for some tips about rear brake noise. th-cam.com/video/YEKyqFarJgU/w-d-xo.html And best of luck on your Element work! Alden
The crush washers are the same size. They are a different size than the ones for some of the other fluids, like oil or transmission. So be sure to get the ones meant specifically for the differential.. Alden
Hi! No, the front diff is incorporated in the FWD transaxle. It does take a different fluid and procedure and here is the link to my video for that. th-cam.com/video/lqNvktDWRKw/w-d-xo.html Hope this helps. Alden
I kid you not. On the last page of the owners' manual, it calls out "1.1 US qt", and then parenthetically (1 L). So it is actually one liter, but the US quart is only .946. So, yes, you could probably buy just one quart and get away with it, but I wouldn't . I have done two more of this change and I just buy one quart and then top it up off the 2nd one I bought the first time. The fluid was like $10 a quart and I'd rather spend the money there than under fill it and then have something go wrong down the road. Alden
I am getting a ticking noise coming from this area and grinding on tight turns so I will get this done asap. Great video thanks!
Great vid, I would just add that some people will have to jack the back of the car up
Absolutely! Lower wheels or suspension, or any surface less than smooth & level and you will want to raise the car. Just be sure to use jack stands, and be careful under there!
Excellent!! So easy to follow, spoke clearly, perfect visual....one of the best youtube instructional video I have seen! Post more for Honda Elements! Thank you!
Thank you! I will definitely post more videos as the various service intervals come up!
Alden
I just bought a 2007 Element and checked the differential fluid. It's quite pink and clean looking, so I'm going to hold off on changing it for now. Glad for this video, so I knew how to check it! So easy.
Excellent! These are really fun cars that respond to care. Stay on the fluid and filter changes and they can really last a long time. Be sure to watch my other Honda Element videos for more service ideas!
Totally, I also watched the transmission fluid change and am definitely doing that one soon. Saving so much money by just buying the fluids and few parts and doing it myself. I'm pleased how easy many of the jobs are on an 07 Honda, as I was sad to part with a 94 Corolla that was easy to work on. Thanks again for your videos!
Thank you! Love my toaster and you're helping me keep her running!
You are so welcome!
Excellent video. Short. Clear. Concise. Well filmed. Well narrated. Thank you!
Thank you!
Alden
Best video of how to do this thanks!
Glad you liked it!
Great video you sound like a lawyer
Objection, your Honor. Speculation. Witness is investing the narrator with an assumed occupation. (but Thank You for the compliment on the video.)
@@FlashDriveFilms no problem now I have to find your video on po171 for my brother in law s 2006 Element
Nice simple. !!!! Thanks.
Thanks! Honda really does make it easy to do regular service items on their cars.
Great video! I’m trying to do this for my 04 element but the bolts are on super tight.
Easy to follow clear instructions.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!
Alden
Thanks for the easy to follow video. My Honda dealer wanted $195 for the service. I can do the job for less than $10 for the parts since I have a business account with the dealer. Is their a torque setting for the two bolts?
Thanks! Yes, there is a torque setting, I just am a little fuzzy on that. I think it is 35 lbs.ft for most years, but the key thing is that you use new crush washers. (And yes, dealer service prices are out of this world!)
@@FlashDriveFilms Edit: The dealer north of me wanted $195 and my local dealer who finally called me back charged $89 for the service, parts included. So I decided to have my Honda dealer do the service instead. Living in an apartment doesn't allow me to service my vehicle in the street.
Excellent! The absolute best outcome for my videos is that it helps you make an informed decision & save money on car service. If that means getting a good value at the dealer, that is all for the good. I am very pleased to hear that.
Well done video Thank you
Does the ATF fluid act as the differential fluid in the front? Or is there any front fluid to change.
No separate fluid for the front. The ATF acts just like it does in every front wheel drive car transaxle, using it for the transmission gears and the differential drive. Be sure to see my Honda Element Automatic Transmission Fluid Change video as well.
The Honda procedures also call for 10 left tight-radius 360-degree turns with the steering wheel turned all the way, followed by 10 to the right before executing this procedure.
No. As fun as that sounds, Don't do donuts with your customers' car.
Perfect video, helped me alot with the E, sadly didnt stop my rumble... oh well onto the next possible issue.
+Phoenix Gasperini Well look on the bright side, you have accomplished two things: you narrowed down what the rumble might be coming from by eliminating the fluid quality as the cause. And you put brand new fluid in the differential, and that can't be bad. Best of luck in tracking down the cause, and here's to hoping it is easy & inexpensive !
Alden
+FlashDriveFilms I bought it used at 106k with no prior service record so its not going to be cheap when most of the fluids look bad. The bright side is that im enjoying learning my car. I'm going to try a oil change back to OEM oil and try a 3 cycle trans fluid change next.
+FlashDriveFilms oh and if you end up doing more to your E, please make a video, this was a great one!
Phoenix Gasperini 106K is barely broken in! Seriously , stay up on the service intervals and these last for many years and many more miles. Automatic transmission fluid change is great idea. For the engine oil change, I do recommend the original Honda filters and regular (non-synthetic) 5w-20 oil. Also, get a couple spare taillight bulbs. They are a little different (not 1157 or 1156) and can be harder to find when you need them.
@@FlashDriveFilms whats the reasoning behind not using synthetic oil?- I've used synthetic in my 2005 CRV and I'm over 330K with zero oil burn. I'm not trying to be a showboat here - is there a documented reason for not going synthetic in a Honad vtec engine?
thank you!!! i can do this!
Fantastic thanks, very clear and detailed.
Thank you!! I hope you find all my Honda Element videos helpful!
Alden
great video! your tutorials are very thorough!!
All it needs now is a turbo!! :-)
(and I know just the person to install it!)
Next...blinker fluid replace..then stay tune..head lights torque to specs....
Followed by replacing the muffler bearing and doing a distributer alignment.
Thank you!
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!
Alden
Great video, thanks for taking the time to make it. We have an 08 ex awd, and had the rear diff fluid flushed by a mechanic. Car was running great before, but being purchased as a pre-owned still wanted to change all fluids and start fresh. Mileage is at 220k right now. Rear diff fluid changed, and now we have vibrating when turning the wheel slightly left or right, and funky whining noise when shifting gears (5sp manual). Wondering if we should flush a second time? All mechanic told us was that it was very very low on diff fluid when he went to drain. Anyone else have this issue?? If so, what'd you do?
The vibration when turning the wheel sounds more like CV joints to me. at 220K they may have been changed (or not!) but they may be ready again. Definitely have them looked at just in case.
Alden
You're Awesome!
Hardly ever, but my subscribers certainly are! Thank You!
thanks for uploading..do I follow the same procedure for front differential?
The transmission up front is very similar, but uses a different fluid, in a different amount. I'll try to post a video of that shortly.
Thanks!
This is somet I have to do at some point.
Where did you get your little hand pump?
I also have an AWD problem. It engages with a mild bump when I accelerate quickly otherwise it is fine if I accelerate less quickly.
There are several different versions of the hand pump. I put an affiliate link to one type in the description (that does compensate me ) but there are other options, and, as always, do shop around and get what works best for you.
@@FlashDriveFilms
oh by all means make some money off of your connections and affiliates. That's what it's all about isn't it? I guess what I was wondering is if they are a common item at an auto parts store
Is there a transfer case to change oil on?
There isn't a separate transfer case. All the 4-wheel drive stuff is in the same housing and shares fluid with the transaxle. There is a rear differential, and I have a video on changing that fluid as well.
@@FlashDriveFilms I've ordered the stuff to do the fluid changes. Thanks
I didn't replace my crush washers, should I be worried?
Not necessarily. If you mean you re-used the old crush washers, as long as they were not crimped or damaged, and you tightened the plug snugly, you should be OK. DO check every once in a while where you park, looking for drips. If you mean you totally left out ANY crush washer at all, yes, that would be an issue. In that case, definitely get some new ones and put them in!
What size are those crush washers?
I have a link in the description to the washers I used. I'm not sure the exact dimensions, but they are different from the engine oil change size.
Why not add loctite & some silicon old washer.
The process doesn't call for it. I suppose you could if you want to, but it isn't necessary, costs money you don't have to spend, and will make it that much harder to loosen the drain bolt the next tie you change the fluid.
Alden
Great video! I did the fluid change and used the proper Honda fluid. I had no noise prior to the change I just wanted to put some love into my 2008 Element. After the change I have hydraulic type whining sound coming from my rear differential when I'm backing in reverse. No noises at any other time. Any ideas as to what may have changed or what might be wrong? Thanks
The only thing I can think of is if there is enough fluid in it? The other strange thing is that, although the 4WD system does engage in reverse, it is activated by slippery conditions. (the front wheels spinning faster than the rear) So it seems odd if the rear diff would be doing anything in reverse unless there is a loss of traction. Be sure to check for drips under the back of the car or around the axles where they connect. I can't think of any reason for a new noise after the change.
Alden
Thanks for that speedy reply. Hmmmm... I'll definitely be looking into the noise further until it is hushed. I'll let you know what I find.
Here is the deal; A complete coincidence, my brake pad wear indicators started to cry/squeal in reverse right after I changed the rear differential fluid. I thought it must have been something I had done, the differential was the only thing I messed with. For the brakes to whine immediately after the fluid change is so random, and hilarious! I was sweating it for a few days until it dawned on me that the noise was the brakes.
WHEW! Excellent! Rear brakes are much easier than a differential problem! Be sure to watch my "Honda Element Rusty Rotor" video for some tips about rear brake noise.
th-cam.com/video/YEKyqFarJgU/w-d-xo.html
And best of luck on your Element work!
Alden
Are the drain and fill plugs the same size? or does it require 2 different sized crush washers?
The crush washers are the same size. They are a different size than the ones for some of the other fluids, like oil or transmission. So be sure to get the ones meant specifically for the differential..
Alden
Is this the same for the front diff on AWD models?
Hi! No, the front diff is incorporated in the FWD transaxle. It does take a different fluid and procedure and here is the link to my video for that.
th-cam.com/video/lqNvktDWRKw/w-d-xo.html
Hope this helps.
Alden
1.1... really?
I kid you not. On the last page of the owners' manual, it calls out "1.1 US qt", and then parenthetically (1 L). So it is actually one liter, but the US quart is only .946. So, yes, you could probably buy just one quart and get away with it, but I wouldn't . I have done two more of this change and I just buy one quart and then top it up off the 2nd one I bought the first time. The fluid was like $10 a quart and I'd rather spend the money there than under fill it and then have something go wrong down the road.
Alden