[byoungus]

2006 RTL.
Problem: when I am driving I hear a noise and feel a vibration that sounds similar to having a box fan in a window and a strong breeze blows through it. There is an audible change in pitch and I feel a vibration and there seems to be a drop in power.

when does it happen: I don’t notice it when I turn or I am stepping down on the gas. It seems to happen more when I am just maintaining an average speed and going up a slight incline. It was barely noticeable when I first got the truck 2 years ago, no one but me even noticed it but now everyone does.

History: Bought it used from a guy with 80k miles. Said he only used to pull his boat. Now he has a bigger boat, and got a bigger truck to pull it with. I am now at 101k miles. Had it at my mechanic and was told I need to do the 100k belt and pump, rotors, ball joints, and springs. My mechanic drove it a little bit and said he didn’t notice anything, but he just drove it about half a mile and under 20 mph so I am not surprised.

I have some thoughts but want to hear what you guys think the problem might be.

 

[Farther]

Are you running the same tires or recently replaced tires?

 

[byoungus]

Are you running the same tires or recently replaced tires?

Yes I have new tires but it was doing this before getting them, and of course it does it with the new ones as well.

 

[firefighter3666]

Do you know the fluid change history? It could be a transmission or differential problem. I'm thinking rear differential, if he towed a boat regularly he may have gotten the back end a little too deep into the water...

 

[Silver 3.5]

Does it happen at 47 mph with transmission in D? Torque converter shudder...

 

[TommyRidge]

Does it happen at 47 mph with transmission in D? Torque converter shudder...

I have a 2008 RT with 170,000 miles. I bought in June 2020 and had tb/wp and all fluids changed. I specifically asked dealer about this shudder as I thought torque converter... I was told it’s not enough of an issue to do anything about right now. Can’t say I liked this answer...

 

[eurban]

Could it be the VCM kicking in?

No VCM on a GenI Ridgeline.
My 06 exhibited the same behavior and I changed the transmission fluid on schedule since it was new. Switching over to DW1 fluid (4x dump and fill of the transmission fluid) seemed to help for a while but the issue was never banished and it didn't seem to have much impact on performance or efficiency. The earlier Ridges came with Z1 fluid and I would be surprised if yours has had a complete change over. Doing a 4x dump and fill with DW1 would be a place to start.
My 14 has 50k miles and there is so far no shudder.
On my 06 I did experiment with some shudder fix additives. They might have helped some. They didn't seem to hurt anything.

Amazon.com : shudder fix

 

[byoungus]

Does it happen at 47 mph with transmission in D? Torque converter shudder...
[/QUOTE

Do you know the fluid change history? It could be a transmission or differential problem. I'm thinking rear differential, if he towed a boat regularly he may have gotten the back end a little too deep into the water...

No history on maintenance. It really seems like it is coming from in front of me

 

[byoungus]

Do you know the fluid change history? It could be a transmission or differential problem. I'm thinking rear differential, if he towed a boat regularly he may have gotten the back end a little too deep into the water...

Do you know the fluid change history? It could be a transmission or differential problem. I'm thinking rear differential, if he towed a boat regularly he may have gotten the back end a little too deep into the water...

No maintenance history. Really seems like it is coming from in front of me.

 

[byoungus]

Does it happen at 47 mph with transmission in D? Torque converter shudder...

I waited a couple of days b4 replying to check it out. Yes I have noticed it more between 35 and 55mph.

 

[Jack]

Sounds like torque convert unlock at a certain speed. Mine does it around 45mph and stops if I slow down or speed up. When you notice it, does the engine surge slightly and you see the tach wiggling? Common in Ridglines with over 150k. My 08 has 210k and has done it for a while. Fluid change helps for a little while but returns after some miles. Me, I don't worry about it with my mileage.

 

[byoungus]

I just got back from the mechanic (again) asking (again) about the noise. Tonight there was someone there who heard me explaining the sound. I did the purring sound that it makes when all is right and the growling sound when not. This other guy said that is your torque converter. Change and flush and it should dissipate. $200.

And of course being at 102k, they want to do the timing belt. it whines when turning so power steering pump. Clicks when I turn, ball joints. bounces too much, front and rear springs. brake peddle going to far, pads and rotors.

Kaching, kaching, kaching! sounded like a casino going off in my head. $4300

 

[Silver 3.5]

I waited a couple of days b4 replying to check it out. Yes I have noticed it more between 35 and 55mph.

Transmission fluid change makes sense but you should do it 3 times with a few hundred miles in between. Timing belt service makes sense too but opinions vary on when that should be done so you have to decide. For the power steering, buy a new reservoir and replace the fluid before doing the pump. I'm surprised about the ball joints but can't say. Brakes, well you need them so gotta do it along with a fluid change. Old fluid causes the soft pedal, not the thickness of the pads. Not sure why you need new springs, maybe the shocks.

 

[byoungus]

Transmission fluid change makes sense but you should do it 3 times with a few hundred miles in between. Timing belt service makes sense too but opinions vary on when that should be done so you have to decide. For the power steering, buy a new reservoir and replace the fluid before doing the pump. I'm surprised about the ball joints but can't say. Brakes, well you need them so gotta do it along with a fluid change. Old fluid causes the soft pedal, not the thickness of the pads. Not sure why you need new springs, maybe the shocks.

You say a few times. Do you mean doing a flush?

 

[speedlever]

You say a few times. Do you mean doing a flush?

Honda considers a transmission flush to be 4x drain and fills with driving a few miles in between (exercising all gears including reverse) to get a good fluid mix. After 4x D&F, you'll have about 88% fresh fluid.

I agree with changing out the PS fluid reservoir and purging the system with new PS fluid. Easy to do and will probably fix your PS whine. I like to do that about every 50k miles.

If you're going to go ahead with the timing belt/water pump service (not a bad idea), go ahead and do the cam seals, spark plugs, thermostat, new radiator with coolant, valve adjustment, and serpentine belt and tensioner.

It won't be cheap, but you'll be set for another 100k miles assuming the rest of the truck is in good shape.

Brake fluid should be changed every 3 years, go ahead and do the transfer assembly (hypoid gear oil) and also the rear diff with fresh VTM-4 fluid. Might as well do the cabin air and engine air filters too.

 

[Elkhunter]

I just got back from the mechanic (again) asking (again) about the noise. Tonight there was someone there who heard me explaining the sound. I did the purring sound that it makes when all is right and the growling sound when not. This other guy said that is your torque converter. Change and flush and it should dissipate. $200.

And of course being at 102k, they want to do the timing belt. it whines when turning so power steering pump. Clicks when I turn, ball joints. bounces too much, front and rear springs. brake peddle going to far, pads and rotors.

Kaching, kaching, kaching! sounded like a casino going off in my head. $4300

The whining when turning could be a bad o-ring - sub-dollar part. Might want to check that out before forking over the cash

 

[dcK]

I experienced precisely what you describe. Mine is 07 with 180k. I did 4 drain and fills and in the last fill I included 1 serving of lubeguard shudder fix. That was 6k miles ago, so far the noise is still gone. It is only in temporary remission and will likely come back. The lubeguard product is impressive, I suggest researching it. Honda doesn’t have the best trans imo and I don’t like the oddities that come with them however, when maintained, they generally provide long service life. FWIW I know for a fact my atf had 150k miles when I bought it. Shifting and shudder has greatly improved with what I’ve done. Also, Timing belt service is far more critical than the torque conv shudder....use your shekels wisely.

 

[Bmwrider]

The whining when turning could be a bad o-ring - sub-dollar part. Might want to check that out before forking over the cash

Yes! On the “0” ring. My 08 had the noise. And this fixed it for the last 50k. I did it myself along with removing and cleaning the reservoir. 1st time job for me. Took longer than it should have but it Wasn’t hard. I’m old and slower these days.

 

[RMarkL]

I just got back from the mechanic (again) asking (again) about the noise. Tonight there was someone there who heard me explaining the sound. I did the purring sound that it makes when all is right and the growling sound when not. This other guy said that is your torque converter. Change and flush and it should dissipate. $200.

And of course being at 102k, they want to do the timing belt. it whines when turning so power steering pump. Clicks when I turn, ball joints. bounces too much, front and rear springs. brake peddle going to far, pads and rotors.

Kaching, kaching, kaching! sounded like a casino going off in my head. $4300

Timing belts are rubber, rubber ages... A14 year old Timing belt is an old timing belt... that said, I hate it when they don't focus on the why you are there...
I recently went to the Doctor for an issue and all he could focus on was I'm over 60 and he needs to shove a camera up my ass and shoot me for shingles... I said "Dude, fix this problem first THEN we'll discuss the basics!!!"...