Honda Car Forum

I'm shopping for a used AWD CRV.

I wondered if anybody on the group(s) knows if there's a simple way to
tell if the rear differential on a CRV can be tested (in shop, no
roadtest).

My theory (which I never tried on our last CRV):

Engine stopped, tranny in gear, (or park for an auto) lift one rear
wheel off the floor. I figure you should be able to rotate that wheel
forward or backward slowly, with a fair bit of felt resistance. If it
was really cold outside, the resistance would be greater because the
'Dual Pump Fluid' would be stickier in the differential's clutches.

Anybody read a procedure like this in a service manual?

P.S. I realize this is a very narrow test of what the differential does,
and wouldn't spot other (possibly expensive) problems.

What do you think ? ? ?

'Curly'
--

To REPLY: If there are a couple of underscores in my return address,
you must remove them to reply directly . . . . . . Thanks.

"'Curly Q. Links'" <motsco_@_interbaun.com> wrote in message news:<3FA58527.8E1ABD96@_interbaun.com>...
> I'm shopping for a used AWD CRV.
>
> I wondered if anybody on the group(s) knows if there's a simple way to
> tell if the rear differential on a CRV can be tested (in shop, no
> roadtest).
>
> My theory (which I never tried on our last CRV):
>
> Engine stopped, tranny in gear, (or park for an auto) lift one rear
> wheel off the floor. I figure you should be able to rotate that wheel
> forward or backward slowly, with a fair bit of felt resistance. If it
> was really cold outside, the resistance would be greater because the
> 'Dual Pump Fluid' would be stickier in the differential's clutches.
>
> Anybody read a procedure like this in a service manual?
>
> P.S. I realize this is a very narrow test of what the differential does,
> and wouldn't spot other (possibly expensive) problems.
>
> What do you think ? ? ?
>
> 'Curly'

The correct technique (from the manual) requires all wheels of the
ground, put it in gear. All wheels must be spinning. Then set the
parking brake. In auto trans. vehicle all wheels must stop, in manual
trans. - the vehicle must stall.

HTH,
Dmitry.

Owners manual has diagnostic testing procedure. Available 90 dollars or so.
Well worth the cost. I do all routine maint myself with confidence.

"'Curly Q. Links'" <motsco_@_interbaun.com> wrote in message
news:3FA58527.8E1ABD96@_interbaun.com...
> I'm shopping for a used AWD CRV.
>
> I wondered if anybody on the group(s) knows if there's a simple way to
> tell if the rear differential on a CRV can be tested (in shop, no
> roadtest).
>
> My theory (which I never tried on our last CRV):
>
> Engine stopped, tranny in gear, (or park for an auto) lift one rear
> wheel off the floor. I figure you should be able to rotate that wheel
> forward or backward slowly, with a fair bit of felt resistance. If it
> was really cold outside, the resistance would be greater because the
> 'Dual Pump Fluid' would be stickier in the differential's clutches.
>
> Anybody read a procedure like this in a service manual?
>
> P.S. I realize this is a very narrow test of what the differential does,
> and wouldn't spot other (possibly expensive) problems.
>
> What do you think ? ? ?
>
> 'Curly'
> --
>
> To REPLY: If there are a couple of underscores in my return address,
> you must remove them to reply directly . . . . . . Thanks.

oops. I meant maint manual. sorry
"'Curly Q. Links'" <motsco_@_interbaun.com> wrote in message
news:3FA58527.8E1ABD96@_interbaun.com...
> I'm shopping for a used AWD CRV.
>
> I wondered if anybody on the group(s) knows if there's a simple way to
> tell if the rear differential on a CRV can be tested (in shop, no
> roadtest).
>
> My theory (which I never tried on our last CRV):
>
> Engine stopped, tranny in gear, (or park for an auto) lift one rear
> wheel off the floor. I figure you should be able to rotate that wheel
> forward or backward slowly, with a fair bit of felt resistance. If it
> was really cold outside, the resistance would be greater because the
> 'Dual Pump Fluid' would be stickier in the differential's clutches.
>
> Anybody read a procedure like this in a service manual?
>
> P.S. I realize this is a very narrow test of what the differential does,
> and wouldn't spot other (possibly expensive) problems.
>
> What do you think ? ? ?
>
> 'Curly'
> --
>
> To REPLY: If there are a couple of underscores in my return address,
> you must remove them to reply directly . . . . . . Thanks.