If it was me I would have thought maybe the axles got swapped side to side.

 

Not a chance on that one, as I just tied them out of the way exactly where I pulled them.

I will advise Jr, NOT to have the trans flushed as your right I have just read where flushing can actually kill the trans.

I did tell Jr to buy some trans fluid directly from the Honda place, and bring the car back this weekend to change the fluid.

Thanks again, and I hope this helps someone down the line.

 

Dealers frequently use the term "flush" when they actually do a couple drain/fill cycles. So it's confusing.

Honda transmissions don't like power-flushing, where the flushing machine has a pump to force fluid thru the transmission. Also, most independant shops won't dedicate a machine to only Honda ATF, so you get other fluids together with solvents.

 

Is there any other weakness's with the Honda Accords?

I hope I'm not offending anyone here, as that is not my intention.

I'm going to be opening a business turning wrenches for a living so it would be good to know the common things that go wrong with these cars....thanks.

 

No offense, it's normal for a forum like this to point out problems.

The 98-02 auto transmission was a weak point, especially the V6. (Since the 4-cyl engine is backwards in the engine bay, they don't share the transmission) But there's a lot of those transmissions still out there working OK.

Other common problem areas??

- rust around the rear fender arch (depending on what part of the country)

- there's 5 steel tubes running down a channel under the driver's side of the car - 2 brakes lines & 3 fuel lines. They're subject to corrosion too.

- brake calipers can take cleaning (& grease the slide-pins) more often than the brake pads wear out.

Can you tell I live in an area where they just dumped a gazillion tons of salt on the roads this winter??

Some random advice, not really a "problem" with the cars...
ATF and power-steering fluid are the 2 fluids that you really want Honda fluids. PS fluid that says "all makes" is not good. But there ARE a couple brands of fluid that have bottles actually labeled "for Honda/Acura".
Hondas seem to like NGK or Denso sparkplugs. People have reported misfiring with Bosch, other say they're OK. But if you own a shop & you don't want customers coming back...

 

Thanks for the tips. I will keep this page book marked.

One more question, if I were to be looking at buying an Accord for myself, what should I look for in the auto trans as a sign that it might be on the way out, besides brown burnt fluid?

Thanks again.

 

Kind of hard to call on the trans - remember the 98-02 models are the ones with "issues". Go older or newer and no worries. As you stated, check the condition of the fluid and go from there.

Again, I would only use Honda trans fluid.....dealer, online or Carquest (they sell it by the quart for $7.99).