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View Full Version : Worn out springs at 105,000 miles?


da1776
07-07-2004, 09:42 AM
I need help.

Pilot history: I have a Sandstone EX with currently 115,000 highway miles. I purchased the Pilot new around August of 2002. I change oil every 3000 miles, transmission every 25,000 miles and rear end every 20,000 miles. Once started, the Pilot runs continuous at around 60 to 70 MPH for at least 2 to 3 hours on the average. I replaced my timing belt, water pump, gaskets, coolant at 90,000 miles. I replaced my front brake rotors at 60K miles. I am still using the original pads. I have not done the Trans. recall yet. I carry approximately 600 lbs. of luggage, lit. and people. This includes my weight. I have never towed or pulled anything and I have never been "OFF-ROADING". All work is done by Honda Dealers. (Except a few oil changes)

The problem: I finally replaced my original Goodyear tires at 105,000 miles with the same size Michelins Cross Terrains. (I do not recommend these tires. My gas mileage went down 2 MPG on the highway). I took my Pilot to have a "4 wheel" alignment. After the alignment, the Pilot started to pull to the left. The dealer set it to "spec" but said the Pilot has been adjusted to the max. Still slightly pulling and thinking this dealers alignment machine could be out of spec, I took it to another dealer where he said the rear springs are sagging.

I called the 800 Honda service line and they basically told me that since the Pilot had over a 100K on it, tough luck. My argument didn't pan out. (I told them that there was nothing in the owners manual that said "When changing your timing belt, RE-SPRING you Pilot. )

I have a 97 Ford Expedition with over a 150K miles and I have never replaced springs on it. (and I tow a boat with it). My pathfinder had 250,000 miles and I never put springs on it. In fact, I have never bought springs for any of my cars.

Has anyone else had any problems with rear spring fatigue on their 2 year old Pilots. Honda wants about $250.00 to replace them. I feel it is an inherent design flaw and could cause me to loose control under certain conditions. In addition, I am causing uneven tire wear on my new tires.


Aside from this issue, the Pilot is great. Sorry to be sooo wordy

David A

N_Jay
07-07-2004, 10:00 AM
. .
Has anyone else had any problems with rear spring fatigue on their 2 year old Pilots. Honda wants about $250.00 to replace them. . .

Not yet, but had to put springs on my Range Rover at 35K miles.

From what I understamd it is a trade off betwen strength and ride.

How much of the $25 is parts and how much is labor?

Maybe you can get Honda to cover part under customer satisfaction, since it is not a typical replacemnt part.

Are the shocks bad? If so, maybe they have been bad for a while. That would accelerate the wear on the springs.

da1776
07-07-2004, 10:29 AM
Thank for the response. Intresting about the Range Rover. How old is your Range Rover?

The dealer said that the shocks look good and he didn't see any leaks. I think the springs have been bad for a while since the Goodyears started showing signs of wear in the inner tread.

Customer care said the Pilot had too many miles and the 1-800 Honda customer service person implied that this type of milage is considered abuse!

Go Figure.........

N_Jay
07-07-2004, 11:02 AM
Thank for the response. Intresting about the Range Rover. How old is your Range Rover?

The dealer said that the shocks look good and he didn't see any leaks. I think the springs have been bad for a while since the Goodyears started showing signs of wear in the inner tread.

Customer care said the Pilot had too many miles and the 1-800 Honda customer service person implied that this type of milage is considered abuse!

Go Figure.........

50 K a year is not abuse, just HIGH mileage!!! :D

Well parts do fail.

How do you load the 600 LB you carry? If it is mostly towards the tail then you are giving the springs a bit of an extra workout.

On the other hand a $250 repair per 100K of driving is not bad at all.

da1776
07-07-2004, 11:55 AM
Loading. A question I never thought of.

I'm about 240Lbs My files sit in the back seat, (200Lbs at best) and my lugage sits over the third seat. (Maybe 200Lbs) Plus, add a full tank of gas. I have never carried over four adults in my Pilot.

I think the Pilot is rated for 1200 Lbs. Isn't it?

redn22
07-10-2004, 09:22 AM
115,000 miles is alot of miles... That's equivalent to almost 200,000 kms in my books... That type of mileage should take 8 years to accomplish for normal driving... Wow!

Like N_Jay said... $250 bucks isn't much for the amount of driving that you've done...

With that mileage, I say it's just normal wear and tear and stress on the springs... Just go ahead and get them replaced before it does more damage to your tires...

Good luck!

cbruin
07-23-2004, 12:21 PM
Shocks defintely toast at that mileage. no real extra work to replace springs. but how about bushings>

da1776
08-03-2004, 09:52 AM
Never thought about the bushings............. I took it to another dealer and they said they have never seen anything like it. They said they contacted the "tech line" and advised the dealer it install (non-honda) adjustable cams in the rear suspention.

This concers me it that it there were a failure, Honda could pin the results on the fact this was a non-Honda part.

I need a GOOD Honda fix using Honda parts..............

Again............ Honda can't fix it............

cbruin
08-03-2004, 12:44 PM
You don't want to add parts to the suspension, you want to replace worn parts...Pilots are heavy. Springs sag as they and the shocks wear and get weaker.
Measure the height from center of wheel of your pilot to bottom of wheel arch then the same measurement (same wheel) on a new one and you'll see how much sag they have. Don't be surprised if the measurements vary from wheel to wheel. Remember your all up weight sounds like close to 5500lbs.