MDX V6-3471cc 3.5L (2002)
Any repair performed after warranty expiration may be eligible for goodwill consideration by the District Parts and Service Manager or your Zone
Office. You must request consideration, and get a decision, before starting work.
DIAGNOSIS
Do 10 figure-eight patterns with the steering wheel at full lock. Listen for a noise or feel for a judder. Accelerate at the start of each circle to make sure
the clutches engage and disengage. Do not use the VTM-4 LOCK button.
NOTE:
As an alternative to doing figure-eight patterns, you may do 10 circles to the left and 10 circles to the right.
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If you can hear the noise or feel the judder, go to REPAIR PROCEDURE.
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If you cannot hear the noise or feel the judder, continue with normal troubleshooting.
REPAIR PROCEDURE
1.
With the engine off, raise the vehicle on a lift in a level position.
2.
Remove the differential filler plug and its sealing washer. Save the sealing washer.
3.
Remove the differential drain plug and its sealing washer to drain the VTM-4 differential fluid. Save the sealing washer.
NOTE:
The drained fluid should look red. If it looks pink, it means water entered the VTM-4 differential through the vent tube breather in the rear
subframe. This can happen after launching a boat or driving through water deep enough to cover the tires. If the fluid looks pink, replacing the
fluid may not get rid of the noise and judder.
4.
Clean the drain plug, then reinstall it with the sealing washer you saved in step 3. Torque the drain plug to 47 N.m (35 lb-ft).
5.
Fill the differential with VTM-4 differential fluid until the fluid level reaches the bottom of the filler hole.
NOTE:
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To avoid contamination, always fill from an unopened VTM-4 fluid container.
*
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Always use a dedicated hand-operated fluid pump to fill the differential. Use fluid pump P/N 07MK-PGJA20, or a commercially available
fluid pump. Never use a pump driven by compressed air.*
6.
Reinstall the filler plug with the sealing washer you saved in step 2. Torque the filler plug to 47 N.m (35 lb-ft).
7.
Drive the vehicle in a figure-eight pattern with the steering wheel at full lock. Accelerate at the start of each circle to ensure the clutches engage
and disengage. Complete at least 10 patterns.
8.
With the engine off, raise the vehicle on a lift in a level position.
9.
Remove the filler plug and its sealing washer. Discard the sealing washer.
10.
Remove the drain plug and its sealing washer to drain the VTM-4 differential fluid. Discard the sealing washer.
