Honda Pilot Complete Rear Suspension Rebuild (Part 1)

[@Avrelivs_Gold]

"Fixing it backward" is my favorite cold season series! Perfect for Friday nights.

[@yasmanibarajas7278]

I seriously thought we would see a bonus clip of Eric speaking a different language when that bolt was fighting him. We've all been there at some point. 🤣

[@jakubpolomsky]

As you said around the 16th minute I have an experience with "front heavy" car on the lift. I was rebuilding the rear-end of my old Audi S5 when somebody screamed "it's falling!!" and in that second me and two other heavy guys hung onto the rear of the car until it was lowered enough that the front could be supported. Unfortunately there was nobody to take pictures....

[@ericthecarguy]

Glad everyone was OK though. It could have been a lot worse.

[@sjn7220]

Wow. I’d have no idea how to put that all back together. And, excellent production quality as usual.

[@calholli]

There are videos on youtube

[@riceburner4747]

Still... I'm glad Im not the ONLY one.😉

[@Steelheart624]

Suspension work is the easiest part of mechanics work man. That's how everyone starts.

[@Bakanelli]

@@Steelheart624 haahah da fuck you talking bout

[@robertwalsh3162]

I continue to be fuly impressed with how much Eric knows & is willing to teach. I'm remain deeply grateful for that.

[@rafaelmarin1963]

Y’all rust belt mechanics got my utmost respect.

[@calholli]

Looks like a nightmare huh. lol

[@miguelare3]

That zip tie trip is actually neat! Will have to try that if I ever replace brake lines in the future!

[@oldsranch]

I have a trick for getting those stabilizer links off quickly: bust them apart with a pickle fork, then use a plumbers pipe wrench on the round nub thats left, then get after the nut with the usual impact. Takes even less time than a torch.

[@ericthecarguy]

Good idea. I'll have to try that. Thanks.

[@maingun07]

Nothing but experience breaking things will give you the "touch" that tells you when something is about to bust. Initially, we learn mostly by getting things right and fixing stuff, but it doesn't take too long before we learn mostly by getting things wrong and breaking stuff.

[@mikebetts2046]

There was just one teeny thing I needed to see here: The orientation of the rear muffler hanger. Mine broke off and I needed to see whether it was situated to the left or right of the plate it gets welded to. I was happy to see some clear images of this around the 4 minute mark. Thanks for the video.

[@videodima]

Thank you for making this and part 2, I just rebuilt my entire rear suspension and your 2 videos were integral to making it happen.

[@wz222]

Great video for old Pilot owners. Leaned a lot from moving of the brake lines, real substation parts, real brakes, real axels, differentials, ...... thank you.

[@jaymzx0]

25:00 A wise mechanic friend was helping me change the struts on my car years ago. I took the removed assembly and stood it on end in the corner of the garage after freeing it from its host. He took the assembly and laid it on the floor and said, "It can't fall up, so lay it down if you can". I still think about that when I set a part or tool down precariously.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

With all that popping I for sure thought the bolt broke but after heat came out in 1 piece that is impressive as many times and it popped and you unexpectedly moved fast from the popping @17:34 @EricTheCarGuy

[@Ram14250]

Eric... really enjoying watching you work on this Pilot! Great content... Keep up the great work!

[@ericthecarguy]

Thank you!

[@TheGreiner31]

I just did a similar rebuild to my 07 ridgeline, new strut assemblies, upper control arms etc. I had to also saw many of the bushing bolts out to get things apart. probably went through a dozen sawsall blades. When I ordered replacement bolts from an online Honda dealer, my order was cancelled because the bolts were on nationwide backorder. It was an exhaustive search to finally find replacements.

[@mrz80]

Watching Eric go thru Sawzall blades reminded me of cutting the *one* rusted-together flange stud when I swapped my cat. Lying on my back under the car with a 12" hacksaw blade in the Sawzall, I could only get the last inch or so of blade up there, so every 5 minutes I would have to crawl out from under the car, clamp the blade in a vise, and snap off the worn end to expose new teeth. Took a long time to cut that [bad words redacted] stud. :)

[@79ltd]

Really nice to see the detail of where these 1st gen Pilots rust. As an owner of a West coast one with almost zero rust , it shows me where to rust proof.

[@themechanic6117]

Thanks for bringing us along

[@SireSerolf]

Just got a 2004 honda pilot and these videos are so helpful

[@dff409hobie5]

No one ever says your not up for a challenge. Good work interesting to watch Cheers

[@chriswiseman5143]

Hose barb pliers work really well to remove those parking brake cables from the backing plates

[@oscarronquillo7794]

Master tech here... good content... real work... not just a how to video... nothing is as easy as it seems... thsnks erick

[@alexrussell8308]

@Eric Try using the Diablo carbide tooth sawzall blades, they last much longer and will hold up to heat better for cutting those (grade 8?) bolts. They stock them at The Home Depot.

[@teaganroehl]

This and spraying a lubricant can help fight heat too

[@dljones61]

also slowing down the blade speed will help, going full speed with that sawsall will cause those sparks when the blade is going too fast and melting.

[@jsmith0381]

I think I would've used a angle grinder and cut wheel.

[@michaelcrouch1779]

Those Diablo blades are nuts

[@philjerome9795]

To avoid all of the brake fluid leaking out when disconnecting a line, I use various plastic caps that I have saved from parts purchased over the years. These caps have come from evap cores, fuel rails, master cylinders, calipers, etc. Just placing them over a bubble or inverted flair has done the trick. To cap off a banjo fitting, a short piece of vacuum hose of the proper diameter pushed into the hole where the Banjo bolt would go works great, no need to crush the line with vice grips.

[@Hipsters_N_Hippies]

16:06 okay guys, this is the reality of being an “Automotive Technician” This is the side that you don’t see in KZbin videos. The parts that usually get edited out, as they scratch their heads for a few hours trying to figure out how to get around the issue. Then they will come back to the camera and explain it very simple, like it wasn’t a big deal and like “this is how you do it guys.”

[@Hipsters_N_Hippies]

Always keep in mind 2 questions, Number one is what happens (especially to my hands) when my tool breaks or slips, and Question number two, what happens when what I’m working on breaks.

[@monsterq6]

I love your videos Eric!!!! So fun to watch and I learn.

[@BobbityBob19]

Excellent set up for filming. Good lighting and clear view of what you're doing. Thanks

[@ericthecarguy]

Thank you!

[@zoidberg444]

Superb video Eric - the struggle is real for those of us cursed to work on this old rusty crap. I really felt it with that bolt that fought you to the death. Been there many a time myself.

[@martinsteele3259]

🔥 is always the answer!

[@gerrytseng]

whoa, that zip tie trick blew my mind, definitely gonna try that next time

[@cammoxx]

Eric you are Honda every thing and all about doing this kind of work love it man

[@Rickyboy707]

Watching you break those bolts with a fifty foot long cheater bar and a ratchet reminds me of how many ratchet drives I've destroyed going the exact same thing.

[@mrz80]

I snapped the head off a breaker bar trying to break loose an axle nut - 4 or 5' pipe stuck on the end of my ancient made-in-USA Craftsman, jumping up and down on the end of the pipe and *BANG* snapped that 1/2" head right off. That's when I broke down and ponied up for that big Milwaukee impact driver. :D

[@EngineerLewis]

An even better tip for removing the handbrake cable from the rear back plate (see 12:42) is to run a ring spanner (12mm) onto the cable to compress the expanding fitting that stops the handbrake from popping out of the hub.

[@deanoscott]

Had to do a full suspension replacement/rebuild on my mk2 focus st, on axle stands, on my driveway. Fun times when using the breaker bar and the elbow smashes off the driveway that's hard, that I broke a paving slab with my elbow 😳. Cried for days.

[@RB-vt9ku]

I live in Mesa Arizona we get surface rust barely this is the place to come for rust free cars. I do love fabricating anything. I have a 2007 Honda pilot just did the front suspension. Luckily I didn’t have to fight rust.

[@vijayantgovender2045]

Thank you Eric you should get your grandson back to help you love watching your wonderful videos I am watching from South Africa

[@RichardHeadGaming]

1/2 or 13 closed end wrench releases the brake cable retainers and holds them in for extraction. (E. Brake)

[@rileykhaos9836]

WOW!! I am amazed at how CRUSTY this was,,,having the experience and the tools make this easier,,,SALUTE!!!

[@calholli]

There was nothing easier happening here.. lol

[@MatrixDiscovery]

Amazing work

[@sherannaidoo2712]

Greetings mate.... Learned a lot from you. Thank you 👍

[@ericthecarguy]

Greetings!

[@davestewart9146]

Something to be said about old school rear diff and leaf springs, great video Eric 👍😁

[@AstrosElectronicsLab]

Well, I never thought it possible to have so much drama removing a crusty subframe. Props to you. Personally, I would not bother (as you have iterated in several videos earlier); I'd scrap the toilet.

[@drivingmemad7127]

"Hey look I'm a catalytic converter thief" 😬🤣

[@riceburner4747]

Nah, Eric took too long! Because he's not a crook!😂🤣😁

[@harveyh3696]

AGV, Another Great Video

[@Mikey-HTTR]

Great stuff Eric. Keep up the great content.

[@Asomesauc]

Great video

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Loosing all bolts whiles it still attached to vehicle is always the easiest because if you remove then from the vehicle and try to loosen them from the found your fighting it walking on the floor because the bolts are to tight nice work so far lots of progress Eric @EricTheCarGuy

[@snapvine4754]

Milwaukee loved this episode!

[@mrjsv4935]

Wow, you must be very strong to get those big bolts at the subframe open above your head :) Very interesting repair project, thumbs up :)

[@DatCarGuy350]

My 06 Pilot left rear wheel came off due to a damn pothole so I'm hoping to fix it. Will watch both videos and hoping to get my Pilot back on the road again

[@dkupy100]

THAT WAS EPIC!

[@ericthecarguy]

It's only the beginning. Be sure to tune in next week for the conclusion.

[@carlosg1165]

Wowed that’s a lot of work sir .👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@Andrew-ps9kq]

@24:07 ahhhhh welcome back seat belt 👏👏👏 what a cameo 👏 👌 😄

[@tiberiusclaudiusnerogermanicis]

Love these types of videos

[@bigfoottoo2841]

Use a 12 mm boxed in wrench on the e brake cable to press down the retaining clips.

[@brandon2076]

if you use some cutting fluid you will definitely make those sawzall blades last a bit longer, should cut faster too

[@dendorssers]

And lower the speed. Cutting metal is usually done at lower RPM... I have never seen sparks wit a sawzall to be honest!

[@museinglis1979]

Yup! Heating up stubborn fasteners/ bolts, etc usually does the trick!! 😉

[@joeclarke9782]

Gave me a great idea. Making decals and bumper stickers that say THIS CAR EQUIPPED WITH AFTER MARKET CATALYTIC CONVERTERS.

[@brewerkz8342]

Have the same issue. I plan to add a steel piece in, made from 4" square 1/4" thick box steel piece with one side cut out. then weld in place.

[@ericthecarguy]

You might find this helpful. kzbin.info/www/bejne/raDYZaahbb2nb80

[@syedbukhari353]

@EricTheCarGuy Thanks for this nice video. At 14:38 of this video your pilot's rear brake caliper's cylinders looked rusty from inside. What amount of rust there would trigger your recommendation to address it (screw driver poking test?) or leave it as is?

[@anomamos9095]

When doing drum brakes you should take a photo of both sides because sometimes they’re completely different.

[@ryulee458]

Eric love your sarcasm brother😂😂😂👍👍

[@thomasherring6640]

I have had good luck with those bushing bolts using an angle grinder, and a cut off wheel. Usually, there is enough space to sneak it in there between the arm, and the bracket, and it gets through those bolts quick fast and in a hurry.

[@imranabbasi7871]

Good luck 👍

[@snorman1911]

Haven't watched in a while, beard is looking good :)

[@mrgoodbar216]

With the amount of labor you just did you could have bought 3 honda pilots of this vintage lol. What a money saver being able to do your own repairs is

[@ericthecarguy]

I'm doing this for 2 reasons. The first is to illustrate the expense of SUV ownership. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6K3mKloh7h2bas The second is practice for when I do the restoration on my Type R. kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYDJfqmce7itqq8 It also makes for some good content. Thanks for the comment.

[@lindsaygreen5102]

Have you seen the lazer used to clean parts?

[@TheLocknLoadChannel]

Eric you the man.....nice job! How do you not use cus words when working on cars? I swear like a drunken sailor!

[@ericthecarguy]

Trust me, I do, I just don't often put them in the videos. When I do, I bleep them out. It's a 'family' show.

[@mw3261]

I’ve had that same bolt frustration when they are so tight…. I feel your pain.

[@kevinvasquez3588]

How would I fix the running lights in gsr for the taillights 😂 I would really appreciate the help

[@petar443]

Why you said you're going to change the whole control arms ? You got them out alright . We all love bushings deinstall/install videos. And these control arms are the candidate 🍺

[@ericthecarguy]

Once the bolt seizes in the bushing the control arm is done. You pretty much need to destroy it to remove it. Also, as far as I know, the bushings aren't available. Thanks for the comment.

[@jdhern9078]

Good video

[@Mr.Cadillac94]

Hey Eric, i know that you work with ALOT of vehicles that have alot of rusted bolts and parts. And you use your torches quite a bit. Have you looked into the induction heaters? Heats up nuts, bolts, tie rod ends without having an open flame.

[@ericthecarguy]

Those are super expensive. Not to mention it doesn't always get into small areas like the one in this video.

[@Aleks_Mechanics]

Notification squad!👍🏻

[@wasabitoburrion4409]

Wow, you’ve undertaken a huge labour of love. Can you refurbish my 2006 Pilot from bumper to bumper ? Hahaha 😂

[@yodead369]

I want to buy one that was really nice and I didn't even notice the subframe rusting through! I called the dealer and asked how the f*** it passed inspection!!! 😳🥴

[@wasabitoburrion4409]

@@yodead369 That’s why they’re called stealerships.

[@yodead369]

@@wasabitoburrion4409 and every time I tell a car salesman that, it's like the most offensive word to them, but it's like prove me wrong!? 🤷

[@Tapinnow]

I’m stuck on the brake shoes part. What socket do you need to remove those silver circles screw that’s holding the shoes on tight?

[@stefantorozov7508]

I had to cut many bolts with the electric saw which were rusted in the bushes just like you. Just a quick note you used way to many blades, the think is you need to lubricate the blade with oil all the time and run the saw on lower speed otherwise you just f7ck up the blades real quick. Usually I use 2 blades for 2 bushes run slow with lots of oil as lubrication and it does the job perfectly.

[@HendrixChad]

What is that red tool you are using when taking something off on the inside of the brake rotor area? Time marker 13:18.

[@sneedsfeedNseed007]

That's called a Brake Spring Compressor for parking brake retainer springs

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Can worn rear control arms or bushings in RWD or AWD vehicles cause vibration at highway speed ? Or is control arm noise always a rattle over bumps?

[@craigjorgensen4637]

Living my entire life on the salt free West Coast I have nothing but respect for the techs who have to deal with rust. Shops here would have declared that Pilot as a total. With shop labor rates hovering around 150.00 /hr there would be good reason!

[@crazyeyez1502]

"At the tone, the time will be 3oclock." Did you just call Time 1-800 number?

[@dst6619]

Holy crap! That's a lot of work! I can see why most people won't fix it or just scrap 😳

[@The_WK]

What size bolts get used for that trick to get the rotor off of the hub?

[@photondebuger45]

Ooh hey Eric I have a quirky question with tools, I have normal tools and power tools to right but have you noticed I have that you still end up using hand tools for everything to breaking the fasteners and removing them as Well? I have like I use hand tools more than anything still I do whip out my impact and air ratchet but I still use my combination wrench and my ratchet for everything, even for stuff that I can use air tools or say power tools on

[@harrymackenzie6096]

Hey Eric, just watched the video and I have an 07 Pilot that they tell me needs new Eccentric bolts in which to align the rear end. Are they the 2 bolts that you cut out at the end of the video? If so, any suggestions as to how to remove them, other than cutting them out. I do not have access to a lift, so I will be doing this from the ground! Thanks for any assistance you can offer!!!

[@LiuMoon13]

Hondas are notorious for rusted suspension parts. Definitely a fight to get off.

[@anomamos9095]

When working on a vehicle from the rust belt never assume that a fastener will come out once you’ve cracked it loose. Only when you have full out and in your hands do you relax. I have had bolts completely undone and halfway out only to have them get stuck solid on rust . They have then either snapped, completely stripped out or I’ve had to cut them and drive them out.

[@zconn9755]

How much would a job like this be? I can’t fix my E break on my 07 pilot without doing a bunch of this work.

[@jrdreinke1]

Sweet

[@thadmaroon]

Eric I want to replace one of those bolts (the 4 that hold the subframe to the body) if I pull it all the way out to replace IN YOUR OPINION will I be able to put the new one in without it mis-aligning? I’m repairing the rusted frame ( u had a separate video) but I don’t have all the tools u have so I’m leaving it in place cutting out a piece cleaning it up …and then will use some 1/4 or 3/16 angle iron welded in place (notched out for the bolt.

[@milboltnut]

if you can afford it.... don't keep any car longer than 10 years, unless it's a truck MAYBE, so much for my high regard for Honda's. And it's Erics Honda. I wouldn't want this to be fixed. How much longer is Eric gonna be able to break free bushing mounts like that ! I woulda broke out the torch after the first, AHHHH ! He uses the word hopefully alot ! And Eric, can't get enough wrenching and spends free time doing it ! UNREAL ! Eric is a really smart mechanic but after the second sawzall blade I would have thought of something else.

[@americantopgunner5102]

Working on cars looks fun. A mechanic told me once he loved working on cars but doin it everyday for years ruined the fun for him so he quit. He still works on cars but for fun projects not as a job. I will bring tryig to replace my struts and shocks on a 2011 pilot.

[@daytonpyro]

ERIC, who do you like to do your transmission rebuilds? any guru around your area? i live not far from you..

[@VacFink]

Eric have you ever tried reconditioning rubber parts with wintergreen oil? Wondering if it lasts.

[@ericthecarguy]

No I have not.

[@owenhill8158]

How much would this job cost if I wanted to get this done

[@Evolution9750]

Would this also apply to a first gen Acura MDX?

[@ricardorodriguez5240]

Why didn’t you put your screw jack under the front cross member?

[@boomchakalaka0]

A little NH Oil Undercoating or Fluid Film could have help avoid this! Great video though, love it!

[@davidmccleary5540]

Got to admit, I love watching 👀 people do things I would never attempt. Interesting as all get out

[@ericthecarguy]

I appreciate you watching.

[@PhoenixRides56]

Hey Eric! Nice video as always. Have you tried using some kind of cutting lubricant like a spray one used on drill bits so maybe you don`t need to go through so many blades on your saw?

[@ericthecarguy]

Honestly better blades might help. Even if I did get better blades, cutting through bushings and hardened bolts is difficult.