[oliwer78]

Not really new owner, replaced our 06 EX-L with 09 Touring. Oh boy we should have gotten the Touring at the first place, but 08+ Tourings last year were so high up price-wise that we couldn't justify getting one, and I didn't want to bother with de-paxing for older models.

Anyway, we got that 09 one with high miles and there are few things which needs attention. Hoping to get some advises from first hand users. I spent last two weeks on checking this site though and I realized my VZMuzzler from 06 will not work with 09, but *verbatim* offered the replacement at shipping charge only. Great guy, just need to ship it asap. The questions:


1. In my old 06 I had a 2DIN Kenwood unit which took care for the rear camera view, music streaming and navi from iphone, and navi in the unit (rarely needed) if no iphone.  Now, in 09 Touring, I have that big OEM navi and rear view camera, but no iphone connection. I would hate to replace that with my Kenwood and run into problem with camera connection. So I think what I would like to know is what is the latest trend in connecting the iphone to the car's audio? ( BTW my navi and everything else works great and Honda called me with the codes for both the radio and the navi after I smartly disconnected battery.)



2. Suspension - I believe it is time for replacement. The car has 160k but drives in NYC metro area and it now makes noises. Would typical strut/spring set for EX or LX work with Touring? Any brand recommendations? What else should I replace while I am there?



3. Do the sliding door need any maintenance? Mine work great, but my friend's odyssey with 240k has some issues and maybe oiling some parts would keep it smooth and reliable?


4. I reviewed the older posts, I assume there is no easy way to get rid of the TPMS alert from the dash even though tires and pressures are fine?



5. The power tailgate - one of the things we really needed to have and was main reason of the upgrade - works perfect. I would like to confirm that there is no way to open it while you are standing behind the car with no key. Pushing the handle will open it, but would not activate the power opening, correct? In other words you either need to activate it from your remote or go up front and do it from the dashboard push button.

I may add to this thread if I see I am missing sthg. Thank you All Ody users.

 

[marvinstockman]

First, can you ask the first owner what suspension parts were replaced?

But before you go replacing good parts with maybe not so good parts, try lubricating your sway bar bushings, which can be a source of much irritating noises.

That said, have someone look underneath van, as I can't believe that a 160K mile NYC van hasn't been rebuilt by now.

 

[oliwer78]

First, can you ask the first owner what suspension parts were replaced?

But before you go replacing good parts with maybe not so good parts, try lubricating your sway bar bushings, which can be a source of much irritating noises.

That said, have someone look underneath van, as I can't believe that a 160K mile NYC van hasn't been rebuilt by now.

That is not the option, I bought it at the local dealer. I saw carfax with lists of visits at the honda dealer service up to 140k, the rest were visits at some local service. I will be calling both with hopes of obtaining real service record.
It is actually NJ car, but by the amount of scratches I assume it was driven/parked in very populated areas, maybe even NYC itself.
Forgot to define the noises, therefore sorry for the confusion, no question there were used struts, definitely the rear ones. At the same time I would do fronts as we need to keep this car for at least 4 years, 6 would be great.

 

[surgeon]

Dealers might bring the van up to date, but I would still do at least 2 ATF drain/fills. I would definitely get the front and rear suspension inspected. If replacing, front KYB struts with oem springs and mounts; rear Moog coils, KYB shocks. Adding Airlift 1000's is cheap investment. Check or do a coolant drain-fill. Dealer would have done brakes already along with TB, and other stuff. You might be able to get a list of services performed.

Hope you enjoy your new ride.

 

[oliwer78]

Dealers might bring the van up to date, but I would still do at least 2 ATF drain/fills. I would definitely get the front and rear suspension inspected. If replacing, front KYB struts with oem springs and mounts; rear Moog coils, KYB shocks. Adding Airlift 1000's is cheap investment. Check or do a coolant drain-fill. Dealer would have done brakes already along with TB, and other stuff. You might be able to get a list of services performed.

Hope you enjoy your new ride.

Thank you for your help.
RockAuto lists all above (without front springs as I plan reusing mines) for $358 and Air Lift 1000 "60815" for additional $87.79. TOTAL $445.74. you gotta love parts prices for Honda.

Why did I pick Moog coils for the rear?

Any strut mounts needed?

Could you advise on the brand for tranny fluid please?

What spark plugs recommended?

 

[surgeon]

Reuse oem strut mounts, oem springs. I got bearings while at it but did not see anything wrong with the ones I took out (these are plastic discs), but they are cheap. Get the OEM bump stops, I reused one side but other side was torn in half. Had to run to the dealer and pay full price. I think I got my KYB Excel-Gs on ebay. But struts are expensive so only get them if you checked them and really plan to replace. All the other items are little cheaper.

For ATF, many use Valvoline MaxLife DEX/MERC (with Lubegard Red, optional). Castrol Transmax Import multi-vehicle synthetic ATF is also ok. Of course Honda DW-1 is always ok (this comes up a lot).
http://www.odyclub.com/forums/14-pe...eriodic-maintenance/65442-diy-2007-odyssey-atf-complete-flush-atf-z1-fluid.html

Whatever you get from RockAuto use the discount code found on site here if you click on forums and scroll down. RA is site sponsor.

 

[oliwer78]

Did you happen to experience some issues with compressing the spring while installing the new struts? My friend encourages me to buy complete "quick strut" to avoid compressing as with japanese vans the slrings have few coils and it is not the easiest to compress them without hydraulic compressor. Was it that bad?
I cannot find anywhere "quick strut" option with kyb available unfortunately.

By the way thank you for such exhaustive and professional response.

 

[surgeon]

Oh by the way, OEM strut boots (bellows). One side was ripped on mine but I still have the other side new. I used single action strut compressor that I got from HF more than a yr ago (got to use it several times). This saves much time and effort. I think the standard rental McP strut compressor should work fine too, but no longer need it; if HF one goes wrong, I can get another one for $56.

I think my 01 ody spring (different diameter) compression was not possible with this one but 08 worked out great.
Single Action Strut Spring Compressor

I know 01 honda had KYB strut plus, but not sure of 3rd gen. Monroe has one but then its a gamble. If I had to get an assembly then I would just bite and get the OEMs. Its expensive but then no re-do.

I missed your question on spark plugs. Only NGK or Denso laser iridium.

 

[davedrivesody]

My friend encourages me to buy complete "quick strut" to avoid compressing as with japanese vans the slrings have few coils and it is not the easiest to compress them without hydraulic compressor.

"Quick strut" is Monroe's brand name for the strut assembly (strut, spring, bearing, etc.).

If you plan to keep the van for several years, get the assembly from Honda. The advantages of the assembly are that you won't have to swap the spring, and also you won't have to cherry-pick the parts to replace - everything will be new.

However, make sure you need new struts before replacing them. There are many other suspension and steering parts that could cause front end noises (tie rod ends, sway bar bushings and links, lower control arm bushings, lower ball joint, etc.)

Dave

 

[oliwer78]

Surgeon and Dave,
Again thanks for your input.
I blindly went ahead with your advises and ordered all the parts (incl. rear moog springs and air lift kit) last Tuesday and got everything by Friday (Good Job RockAuto!). I cleaned the garage and parted the suspension on Friday after work and finished at 2 am.
I couldn't find my way to garage all Saturday, so I spent most of Sunday putting things together. Surprisingly all went pretty straight forward, 2 hiccups only.
I was able to:
replace front struts
replace rear shocks
new rear springs
air lift kit
front pads (rotors were smooth and good, no cutting)
rear pads (rotors worse a bit)
cleaning sunroof hoses up front from the bottom
break fluid flush - was very dirty

Hiccups:
1. As per your advise I ordered new bump stops and covers for front struts. The old one were ripped apart, while bump stops were really intact. The Moog covers and bumps were significantly different than original and I had hard time to assemble it having in mind keeping the water intrusion into the strut. All options I tried weren't perfect so I went ahead and put it together as per attached Moog instruction, even though they present slightly different product from what I had. Check the pictures below. Eventually I went with the bump stop with upside down markings. Otherwise the sleeve-cover was to short and had hard time to reach out the bottom of the strut.
2. Sway bar links - even though they were relatively new, I could not unscrew the nut without killing them. I tried few tricks but eventually I had to tear it apart to effectively grab the other side of the bolt with vise grip. I obviously needed new sway bar links so $33 per side at the local store was an extra expense.

I then left the car for alignment.
There are still on the bench:
Cabin air filter
ATF Honda DW1
new wiper blades
sunroof adjustement
TPMS idiot alert

And these two helpers came right on time for air lift kit. Couldn't find few nuts after their visit but well......