Noise and Judder From the Rear When Turning – 2003-2008 Honda Pilot & 2006-2008 Ridgeline

A04-040
August 8, 2008

 

Applies To:

2003 and later Pilot – ALL
2006 and later Ridgeline – ALL

 

Noise and Judder From the Rear When Turning

(Supersedes 04-040, dated April 25, 2006, to update the information marked by the black bars)

 

SYMPTOM

There is a noise and a judder from the rear when turning.

 

PROBABLE CAUSE

The VTM-4 differential fluid is contaminated by clutch wear, condensation, or both. This causes the VTM-4 differential clutches to make noise and to judder when turning.

NOTE: Worn VTM-4 fluid that has not been replaced at the recommended service intervals can cause the same condition. Check if the VTM-4 fluid has been replaced at the recommended intervals. If it has not been replaced at the recommended intervals, the procedure in this bulletin applies, but it is not covered under warranty; preventive maintenance is not a warrantable item.

 

CORRECTIVE ACTION

Replace the VTM-4 differential fluid.

 

PARTS INFORMATION

	P/N	H/C
Drain Plug Washer (18 mm, drain plug sealing washer):	90471-PX4-000  Honda Genuine OEM Automatic Transmission Drain Plug Washers (18mm), Bag of 5-90471-PX4-000 Factory replacement automatic transmission drain plug washers, 5 pack Fits all Honda automatic transmission drain plugs Fits all Pilot and Ridgeline rear differential drain plugs $16.00 Buy on Amazon Price incl. tax, excl. shipping Last update on 2026-06-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API	3300936
Drain Plug Washer (20 mm, filler plug sealing washer):	94109-20000  Honda Genuine OEM Rear Differential Drain/Fill Plug Washers (20mm), Bag of 10-94109-20000 Factory replacement large size crush washers, 10 pack Fits all 4WD CR-V, Element, and Crosstour drain and fill plugs Fits Ridgeline and Pilot rear differential fill plugs, and transfer case drain and fill plugs Fits all Honda manual transmission fill plugs $17.67 Buy on Amazon Price incl. tax, excl. shipping Last update on 2026-06-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API	0251728

 

REQUIRED MATERIALS

	P/N	H/C
VTM-4 Differential Fluid (5.6 quarts required):	08200-9003  No products found.	6512651

 

WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION

In warranty: The normal warranty applies.

Operation Number: 219006

Flat Rate Time: 0.9 hour (includes diagnosis and repair)
Failed Part: P/N 41200-PGJ-315 H/C 7303076
Defect Code: 08103
Symptom Code: 04201
Skill Level: Repair Technician

Out of warranty: Any repair performed after warranty expiration may be eligible for goodwill consideration by the District Parts and Service Manager or your Zone Office. You must request consideration, and get a decision, before starting work.

 

DIAGNOSIS

Do 10 figure-eight patterns with the steering wheel at full lock. Listen for a noise and feel for a judder. Accelerate at the start of each circle to make sure the clutches engage and disengage. Do not use the VTM-4 LOCK button.

NOTE: As an alternative to doing figure-eight patterns, you may do 10 circles to the left and 10 circles to the right.

• If you can hear the noise or feel the judder, go to REPAIR PROCEDURE
• If you cannot hear the noise and feel the judder, continue with normal troubleshooting.

 

REPAIR PROCEDURE

1. With the engine off, raise the vehicle on a lift in a level position.
2. Remove the differential filler plug and its sealing washer. Save the sealing washer.

 

3. Remove the differential drain plug and its sealing washer to drain the VTM-4 differential fluid. Save the sealing washer.

NOTE: The drained fluid should look red. If it looks pink, it means water entered the VTM-4 differential through the vent tube breather in the rear subframe. This can happen after launching a boat or driving through water deep enough to cover the tires. If the fluid looks pink, replacing the fluid may not get rid of the noise and judder.

4. Clean the drain plug, then reinstall it with the sealing washer you saved in step 3. Torque the drain plug to 47 N·m (35 lb-ft).
5. Fill the differential with VTM-4 differential fluid until the fluid level reaches the bottom of the filler hole.

NOTE:

• To avoid contamination, always fill from an unopened VTM-4 fluid container.
• Always use a dedicated hand-operated fluid pump to fill the differential. Use fluid pump P/N 07AAK-PGJA220, H/C 8607798, or a commercially available fluid pump. Never use a pump driven by compressed air.

6. Reinstall the filler plug with the sealing washer you saved in step 2. Torque the filler plug to 47 N·m (35 lb-ft).
7. Drive the vehicle in a figure-eight pattern with the steering wheel at full lock. Accelerate at the start of each circle to ensure the clutches engage and disengage. Complete at least 10 patterns.
8. With the engine off, raise the vehicle on a lift in a level position.
9. Remove the oil filler plug and its sealing washer. Discard the sealing washer.
10. Remove the drain plug and its sealing washer to drain the VTM-4 differential fluid. Discard the sealing washer.
11. Clean the drain plug, then reinstall it with a new18 mm sealing washer. Torque the drain plug to 47 N·m (35 lb-ft).
12. Fill the differential with VTM-4 differential fluid until the fluid level reaches the bottom of the filler hole.
13. Reinstall the filler plug with a new 20 mm sealing washer. Torque the filler plug to 47 N·m (35 lb-ft).
14. Test-drive the vehicle in a figure-eight pattern to make sure the noise and judder are gone. Accelerate at the start of each circle to ensure the clutches engage and disengage.

NOTE: You may need to do up to 10 patterns to get rid of the noise and judder.

 

 

 

 

Last update on 2026-06-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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No products found.

Last update on 2026-06-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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