My 2000 v6 is having an issue with ATF leaking and a noise while driving. I'm not sure they are both the same problem but I did look underneath and found an ATF leak around the left axle. Took it to Aamco where I had the lifetime warranty and they said it was an axle seal, fixed it and sent me on my way, but said seal shouldn't have caused any type of sound. It is a bit of a roaring sound which seems like it's coming from the left front but can't see anything wrong, no rubbing etc. The transmission shifts just fine and performance isn't affected but it has to be something there. The only thing I see wrong is a ball joint boot cracked. The sound was why I looked under the car in the first place. Now with the car back, I still have leakage and will get it back in the shop Monday. I'm wondering if it could be a vss or speedo cable(I'm pretty sure it doesn't have a cable). There's some cable going up from the transmission and it's covered heavily with ATF. I'll try to post some photos on here if possible. Any ideas of what my problem could be would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

To me, it sounds like you've got a front wheel bearing trying to go on the left side. I'm not saying it is, but while the shop has it, have them check it. It's easy to do, lift that corner of the car off the ground, then grab the tire at 12 and 6 and push pull up and down, and in and out. Any play/movement there should be noted. If you have a helper, get them to watch the lower ball joint for play/movement, so you know if it's the joint or the bearing (since you see a tear in the boot). I'd probably replace the lower joint, as those are supposedly "greased for life", and with the boot torn you're allowing water into it. If you do, get a genuine Honda ball joint, or a MOOG ball joint. Don't use something from the Zone's "Duralast" selection, or you'll be back in there in a year or 2 replacing it again.

 

Kind of what I was thinking about bearing. Trans shop will have to fix their leak but I may take it to the dealer and get them to check that one. After fixing a leak and leaking right after I may want the true Honda guys on this one. Thanks.

 

So I got it to the trans shop and had them replace the left hub/front bearing assy along with getting the axle seal situation straightened out. After they got it done, the noise is still there. I then decided to see if it had anything to do with breaking so I replaced the rotors and pads all the way around. Still have the noise. Maybe after being driven almost every day for 16 1/2 years and right at a quarter million miles some things are just meant to make a little noise. I think I'll just keep driving it until the wheels fall off as the saying goes. I have spent nearly $500 on it this week and maybe it's time to be reactive more than proactive. Who knows, I might just be hearing what I'm supposed to be hearing when it's this old. If anyone else can think of anything feel free to chime in.

 

Take the car out to an empty parking lot. Get to a speed where you hear the noise, then try an arching left turn like an exit ramp. Does the noise get louder or quieter? Do the same thing on the right turn.

 

If you have a bearing that is making noise enough to drive you nuts it's more likely than not to have play at the wheel. Sometimes you can think it's coming from a certain wheel but it's not. You should jack each wheel up and check each wheel for play. Start with the right front wheel. If a wheel has atleast 1/8 of an inch of play I would think that wheel might have a bad bearing.