Glenn,
 
Maybe I'm just having a difficult time believing this, or it could be that you don't understand the problem I'm having.  Having worked a little on cars over the years, I just can't understand how dirty real differential fluid could have any bearing on a vibration that I get when turning the front wheels.  I don't see any relationship, but maybe I just don't understand that fact and that's my problem.  If the car was a four-wheel drive--not many of those--I could understand it.  It can't hurt to change that oil though, so I guess I'll get it done.  But this started somewhere around 35,000 miles, and your real differential fluid is generally good for quite a few more miles than that, I would think. 
 
Anyway, thanks for the input.
 
Hans
 
 

the rear diff fluid is a major prob on 'Vs. even the parts guy admits it.
they have even switched to a different fluid atleast once. the rear engages
during tight turns. if the fluid is dirty or broken down it will cause a
vibration. found this out the hard way. now we have a 2wd 'V instead of AWD.

Hans,
I can understand your skepticism, but believe it or not I had the same
experience - sound/vibration in the front end when turning the wheel
sharply, and changing the rear diff fluid solved it. FYI my 'V was only at
around 17,000km (around 10k miles) when it happened, though the car had been
in storage for a few months.
Don't ask me what the connection is - I'd love to know myself - but it
worked for me, and for quite a few other people on this board.

cheers;
jd

> Message: 1
>

excuse the poor typing bad keyboard today

the rear diff oil is also the hydrolik fluid to control the rear
cluctches, and the lubricating fluid for thr clutch plates.
My guess is when it goes bad oit causes the cluchtes to bind and
release rather than act smoothly.
this adds tention to the drive line during turns. From reports seems
to be felt as vibration in the steering.

Wow,
 
Just wanted to thank you and everyone for sharing.  I haven't changed it yet, but I'm sure that will do it.  Sometimes you just have to trust and go ahead.  It's great to be a part of this group.  Is there a central location where information is stored about our CRVs, especially relating to serious problems with these cars, recalls, etc.?
 
Hans
 
 

Thanks.  I think I'd like to get this changed right away, and I may even do it myself.  The differential fluid is something you can buy at any auto parts store like NAPA, right? It's not a special Honda-only thing, right?
 
Hans
 
 

I would recommend
getting the Honda Transmission fluid.?
When I had mine done, I had them add a seal conditioner to the fluid.

 

Geoff

 

 

Its all in the manual!
Honda Transmission fluid for Trans and front Diff (Automatic).
Honda "Double-Pump" fluid for the rear.

Great,
 
This message brings up a little more confusion for me, unfortunately. All the previous messages talked about the rear differential.  Follow-up messages suggested replacing the fluid with transmission oil.  Now your message suggests something different, and also reopens the question of what precisely we're talking abou here.  Is it the front differential we're talking about (which makes more sense to me since it's easier to image some relationship to the steering if what I'm working on is in the engine compartment), or are we talking about the rear differential? 
 
If it's the front, I know that I need to change it with transmission oil.  And if it's the rear, then it's a special fluid.  I would have thought that a rear differential requires something other than transmission fluid.
 
Anyway, the first clarification I need is that this steering vibration is indeed coming from the rear differential oil needing to be changed.  That's what I've been reading in previous messages.  Is that right?  If so, then I'm off to get some special oil.  I think I may just go down to the NAPA store in Half Moon Bay and ask them if they have something I can use.  Everything is a bit of a distance for coastsiders, as you can imagine.
 
Hans