New Here - Please answer ?'s

TSXCAT · 10-12-2009, 07:21 PM

Hello Everyone,
Just registered as a new user here. Good to see that there is a tsx forum to discuss stuff.

I have a 2004 auto, 85K miles. I just got a bunch of stuff repaired over the weekend...and I wanted to run it by you guys to make sure I didn't get ripped off (I know I probably should have done this first, but didn't know this forum existed till now).

I got 2 new lower balls joints - labor and parts was $378
new drive belt and new drive belt tensioner - labor and parts were $220.
new battery - $95. - i forgot to ask what the warranty was on the battery--should I?

does that seem fair? he said i needed new ball joints b/c the wheels should not move a bit. so he said they seemed fairly loose(he showed me how loose they were).

typically how often does all that stuff need to be changed?

he also mentioned a transmission flush/change. but i did that a few months ago. he mentioned that i should use Z-1 fluid..but he quoted a price that seemed pretty damn steep.

just wanna know if he's blowing smoke up my a$$.

thanks everybody..and glad to be here.

griffojm · 10-12-2009, 07:56 PM

The repairs seem fairly reasonable. I know I got a quote for a new belt tensioner from the dealer...the parts only price was $330!

For transmission fluid, just use the Honda stuff (just do a search for the part number). I'm not sure what Z-1 fluid is.

The OEM battery is plain junk. $95 for a replacement seems right for a decent battery.

Welcome to the forums!

EuroRspec · 10-12-2009, 11:43 PM

Why did you need ball joints? Did you do an alignment after? Price is ok.

KBH · 10-12-2009, 11:58 PM

Honda brand ATF is Z1. You don't change it often so just go for it. I think there is a Castrol product that is Honda compatible but there isn't a huge cost savings.

Were there any noticeable symptoms from the loose ball joints?

speedlimitz · 10-13-2009, 08:42 AM

Rarely have I seen Honda balljoints go bad, usually the upper ones do

TSXCAT · 10-13-2009, 10:56 AM

Thanks for the replies.

Well it was the mechanic who said that "see how the wheels are moving when i apply pressure (he was using a bar to move around the wheels), that should not be happening. they should not be moving an inch, so you can see how loose they are." he said that was the top priority(out of the things that got done) for them to be replaced. when i drove it back home after everything was done..the ride did seem firmer.

also, i was curious....how did my presets on my radio not get reset? i thought that generally happens when you change a battery?

i did a tranmission flush at jiffy lube (i know not the best place, but i just moved to where I am now, and found this mechanic recently) a few months ago. he said that i should do it every 30K miles. i thought you only really have to do a transmission flush like maybe twice for the life of the car?? i forgot what price he quoted me...but it was a lot.

bear in mind...nowadays my car is a weekend car. i think i'll get the spark plugs done once I hit 100K.

my tsx is really my first car. and i really want to run it into the ground...so i guess long term maintenance is going to be required if i want it to last another 5-7 years.

now that it's paid off....i'm saving up for the TL!haha

phrequenc · 10-13-2009, 11:40 AM

boo.. no TL thats american made. you should just check the spark plugs when you do an oil change to see how they are, (fouled, burned, etc) they will likely show you how well your car is running. this is wht i do.

by the way, which oil do you use? just curious

francois · 10-13-2009, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedlimitz

Rarely have I seen Honda balljoints go bad, usually the upper ones do

I see once in a while some honda's on the side of the road with a broken ball joint.

Blame the road, the salty road, the owner but it does happen.

They may last longer then some American brand, but you will have to change them someday!

speedlimitz · 10-13-2009, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by francois

I see once in a while some honda's on the side of the road with a broken ball joint.

Blame the road, the salty road, the owner but it does happen.

They may last longer then some American brand, but you will have to change them someday!

yeah maybe on a 15 year old car. Probably get atleast 15 hondas or acuras a day in the shop so I'm basing that on experience

curls · 10-13-2009, 03:36 PM

Spark plugs are iridium and are good for a LONG time. I'd advise checking your owners' manual for the factory recommended service intervals on many things like spark plugs, fluids, etc.

Balljoints are one of those "replace them at the FIRST sign of them failing, or be stuck on the side of the road" type things. They often give just a slight warning (loose feel or a clunk noise) and can fail anytime after that (days to months to years afterwards, its impossible to tell). Failure = you need a tow and probably some other work done.

I got a new Deka brand battery (good brand) for about $90 CAD from my local distributor but that's a great deal I got. Your $95 price is reasonable, and remember, local private mechanics have to eat and pay bills too. I'd rather spend money at a local, honest mechanics garage than a dime at a dealership. Quality of work is usually better at a GOOD local place and their rates are more reasonable. Plus you're supporting a local business, as opposed to a dealership who funnels some profits to corporate HQ who won't put it back in your local economy.

ATF flush/fill varies in price, depending on if they are just draining and refilling, or if they're flushing with the special machine and refilling. The latter is usually recommended but check with your trusted mechanic for the "why" in that recommendation.

TSXCAT · 10-14-2009, 04:16 PM

well looks like I found an ok mechanic judging from what you all have said. so thanks!