Recurring Rack and Pinion Assembly (gear box) problem on Honda Jazz GE & City GM

[Jecoism]

Hi guys, just want to share my experience with my GE. I'm trying to look for other affected GE and GM units and see if this should be brought up to Honda.

Last year around July 2012 I've had this 'kalampag' problem under the hood. It sounds like clunking metal parts that I'm hearing under the hood everytime I go through small pot holes / road bumps even at slow speed. At first I thought it was a suspension problem, probably a busted stabilizing link. So I brought the car to Honda Manila and found out I need to replace my Rack and Pinion assembly and front stabilizing links. The Rack and Pinion assembly alone costs P57,352. Luckily for me, my unit is still under warranty so I get both fixed for a minimum charge for labor (which I think should not be charged to the client at all if you're claiming for warranty).

Anyway, the thing is a year after I'm hearing a metal clunking problem again. I brought the car to Honda Manila again to check the suspension and under chassis and was quoted a price for a repair of the stab links and they still need to check if the shocks are for replacement which they can only do so when the whole suspension assembly is brought down (I'm not sure about this part?).

Well, I'm not satisfied so I decided to get two more opinions. Zafra Bautista Makati and Cruven Makati both confirmed that I need to replace the shocks after lifting the unit, both also said the stab links were still ok. But only Cruven saw that the problem was, again, and much to my fear, the Rack and Pinion Assembly. I was looking the whole time they were inspecting the car and with a rubber hammer the mechanic gently pinpoint the problem to me. For those who do not know, the rack and pinion assembly affects the steering, which also explains why I'm having a very heavy wheel lately that won't stay straight. Actually I was used to a slightly heavier steering since I've replaced the stock tires with a slightly wider wheel, but I haven't really noticed that the steering deteriorated this much since I brought my car to Honda.

The mechanic from Cruven said a lot of 2nd generation Jazz and City (his term was the transformer City) came to them who were affected by the same problem, that's why I want to see if this is actually a big issue for these models that it merits a recall, or it was just mine which could lead me to assume that my car might be a lemon car after all. So if your GE or GM is having or have had the same problem, please let me know. Thanks guys.

[wulberin]

Hi sir, apologies for reviving this old thread but i just want to ask ano na pong nangyari sa oto nyo?
I currently have the same problem po with my GE and nag aalala na ko kung anong gagawin ko. Napakamahal kasi magpalit ng rack and pinion.
Just wanna ask kung ano po ginawa nyo to solve the problem.

Sa mga nakakabasa po or having the same issue, pashare naman po sana kung anong ginawa nyo to solve the problem.
I badly need help please. Salamat po sa mga sasagot.

[baludoy]

^ try mo patingin sa benmawi auto works sa binan. suki ng mga honda peeps iyon kasi specialist sa repair ng mga rack & pinion ng honda since dating tech ng honda casa. although primarily fd owners ang laging nag rerecommend, i think kaya nila tirahin handily iyong mga ge & gm din

[allan-kurt]

Sa banawe sir may gumagawa nyan. Yung rack n pin ng CRV ko nung pina estimate ko sa casa it will cost me 60-70k . Nung pina check ko sa banawe ni repair lang nila at pinalitan ang bushing and it just cost mo 6500 petot. yun tanggal ang kalampag. with 3 months warranty pa. Anyway EPS yung steering ko.

[kokoyCB]

Sa banawe sir may gumagawa nyan. Yung rack n pin ng CRV ko nung pina estimate ko sa casa it will cost me 60-70k . Nung pina check ko sa banawe ni repair lang nila at pinalitan ang bushing and it just cost mo 6500 petot. yun tanggal ang kalampag. with 3 months warranty pa. Anyway EPS yung steering ko.

Boss san po exact shop sa banawe. Same situation ako crv gen 3. Di pa naman ganun kagrabe ang tunog at very selective sa lubak. Salamat po.

[Rhed46]

Boss san po exact shop sa banawe. Same situation ako crv gen 3. Di pa naman ganun kagrabe ang tunog at very selective sa lubak. Salamat po.

Sir ask ko lng kung naipagawa mo ba gearbox rack n pinion issue ng honda mo? San po at hm po inabot? Nwala po ba ung kalampag? need reference and opinion po kc gnito issie ng transfofmer ko pag nalubak eh...Tnx

[allan-kurt]

Boss san po exact shop sa banawe. Same situation ako crv gen 3. Di pa naman ganun kagrabe ang tunog at very selective sa lubak. Salamat po.

sa ICHICAR boss, look for sr BHONG. sa katidlad street.

[Rhed46]

Hi guys, just want to share my experience with my GE. I'm trying to look for other affected GE and GM units and see if this should be brought up to Honda.

Last year around July 2012 I've had this 'kalampag' problem under the hood. It sounds like clunking metal parts that I'm hearing under the hood everytime I go through small pot holes / road bumps even at slow speed. At first I thought it was a suspension problem, probably a busted stabilizing link. So I brought the car to Honda Manila and found out I need to replace my Rack and Pinion assembly and front stabilizing links. The Rack and Pinion assembly alone costs P57,352. Luckily for me, my unit is still under warranty so I get both fixed for a minimum charge for labor (which I think should not be charged to the client at all if you're claiming for warranty).

Anyway, the thing is a year after I'm hearing a metal clunking problem again. I brought the car to Honda Manila again to check the suspension and under chassis and was quoted a price for a repair of the stab links and they still need to check if the shocks are for replacement which they can only do so when the whole suspension assembly is brought down (I'm not sure about this part?).

Well, I'm not satisfied so I decided to get two more opinions. Zafra Bautista Makati and Cruven Makati both confirmed that I need to replace the shocks after lifting the unit, both also said the stab links were still ok. But only Cruven saw that the problem was, again, and much to my fear, the Rack and Pinion Assembly. I was looking the whole time they were inspecting the car and with a rubber hammer the mechanic gently pinpoint the problem to me. For those who do not know, the rack and pinion assembly affects the steering, which also explains why I'm having a very heavy wheel lately that won't stay straight. Actually I was used to a slightly heavier steering since I've replaced the stock tires with a slightly wider wheel, but I haven't really noticed that the steering deteriorated this much since I brought my car to Honda.

The mechanic from Cruven said a lot of 2nd generation Jazz and City (his term was the transformer City) came to them who were affected by the same problem, that's why I want to see if this is actually a big issue for these models that it merits a recall, or it was just mine which could lead me to assume that my car might be a lemon car after all. So if your GE or GM is having or have had the same problem, please let me know. Thanks guys.

Sir ask ko lng po kng muzta po ung gearbox issue ng car mo...i have honda city 1.3 2012...may nararamdaman din ako kalampag sa selected lubak sa may gearbox o rack and pinion..san po ippgawa sir...hm inabot? Tnx

[benchph1]

Brought my 2010 GM to Exalta after reading this. Went to Wheelers first to check the suspension. Then the mechanic confirmed its with the rack & pinion. Wheelers recommended me to a power steering shop at Amoranto st. Went there and became skeptical of them when i saw their shop. So i decided to try Exalta.

Turns out Exalta & Full Gear and also RLL machine shop have only one owner. Had to queue because there already were several vehicles waiting in line. A slot opened at Full Gear so they told me to park there so we can start.

Was chatting with an inspector and he said this was a common issue with cars with EPS. Not just GM’s & GE’s. There were two Altis also having their EPS done. As usual with vehicles having suspension work done, the car needed to be jacked up. Then it was on jack stands. Was surprised to see four mechanics working on the car. One of the left side, one on the right, one inside the car dismantling the coupling, and another one beneath loosening bolts for the subframe.

I really watched my car every step of the way because this was my first time having my car worked by them.

There was a head mechanic who carefully dismantled the rack & pinion to access the rack guide bushing buried deep inside the rack. According to him their machine shop will fabricate this piece. Was told that the stabilizer link and the sway bar bushing needed replacement. They actually gave me a choice if i want to buy myself or they would buy. Of course i bought it myself. Good thing LVC was just nearby.

After 1 1/2 hour my rack finally came out of the machine shop, i was like an eagle watching their every move. Making sure the bolts go to the correct place, the bolts were all tightened, the split pin was installed, etc.
the car needed alignment since the steering was repaired. The alignment machine was just next door.

Total damage was 3,800 for labor. Parts i bought was 1,400. Had to drive around a lot to see if there were any abnormal sounds i can hear. So far there were none. Oh i did come back because the steering was not centered. Besides that i am very happy with what they did. Car feels like new. No more kalampag.


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