Worm Gear Recall Fix Reviews

[zumbooruk]

I wonder if newer (post recall, September 2024 and up) manufactured FL5 have the pink grease and spring at the factory? or if they used the new part...

i.e. when did the factory started using the new part?

Is there anyway to find out which part number is installed on my FL5 (manufactured 12/24)?

The NHTSA document might answer my question above, yet "reduced friction" might mean that just more pink grease was applied at the factory, vs a properly annealed gear...

2023-2025 Honda Civic Type R
Production Dates : MAR 01, 2022 - AUG 29, 2024

Steering gearboxes with reduced friction and load were incorporated into vehicle production as of August 30, 2024.

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[TypeRD]

@zumbooruk Thanks for this!

If they’re only replacing springs (in the recall kits) then I have to wonder if this is actually fixing the problem. I guess it would since it reduces the overall friction to a normal level…at least, that’s the intent. I guess only time will tell if this is in fact a long-term fix OR if the worm wheel will still eventually fail.

 

[zumbooruk]

@zumbooruk Thanks for this!

If they’re only replacing springs (in the recall kits) then I have to wonder if this is actually fixing the problem. I guess it would since it reduces the overall friction to a normal level…at least, that’s the intent. I guess only time will tell if this is in fact a long-term fix OR if the worm wheel will still eventually fail.

exactly, which was my original question above, when did Honda started using "good" parts, vs just applying the "pink grease" fix at the factory...

I was really surprised/disappointed that the US (and possibly Canada) recall did not involve replacing the entire rack, as Honda did in Spain per https://www.civicxi.com/forum/threads/worm-gear-recall-fix-reviews.55228/post-945050

 

[TypeRD]

I guess the good thing is : Should the worm wheel eventually fail, then I would imagine that we’d get a new steering gearbox (or full rack) from Honda, because this would mean that their recall method didn’t fix the problem.

In that sense, I can understand why Honda is placing their bets on simply putting in the proper spring. This may take care of the problem without replacing the whole enchilada.

 

[TypeRD]

exactly, which was my original question above, when did Honda started using "good" parts, vs just applying the "pink grease" fix at the factory...

I was really surprised/disappointed that the US (and possibly Canada) recall did not involve replacing the entire rack, as Honda did in Spain per https://www.civicxi.com/forum/threads/worm-gear-recall-fix-reviews.55228/post-945050

EDIT : My guess was wrong, though I recall reading that the steering fix is different (on RHD) due to accessibility. But if you’d still like to read my original post, it is below. Cars in Spain are LHD, same as N America. So…I’m really unsure why they were replacing full racks in Spain vs using the kits. Maybe it was just a timing thing and kits weren’t available yet…or maybe safety related issues are handled differently in Spain. It’s hard to say.

Original post below :

I think the method is different in Spain because of RHD vs LHD complications. Basically our LHD cars allow access to replace the spring easily. But to do this on a RHD they had to remove the whole rack just to get to that same access point. Once the rack is out, I guess it is easier to just replace it with a new one rather than have the dealerships disassemble and fix the old one and put it back. We all know what happens when regular shop monkeys start taking things apart that they’re not familiar with.

 

[BigBird]

I think the method is different in Spain because of RHD vs LHD complications. Basically our LHD cars allow access to replace the spring easily. But to do this on a RHD they had to remove the whole rack just to get to that same access point. Once the rack is out, I guess it is easier to just replace it with a new one rather than have the dealerships disassemble and fix the old one and put it back. We all know what happens when regular shop monkeys start taking things apart that they’re not familiar with.

Err what?....Spain drives on the same side we do LHD

 

[mbaapk]

I think the method is different in Spain because of RHD vs LHD complications. Basically our LHD cars allow access to replace the spring easily. But to do this on a RHD they had to remove the whole rack just to get to that same access point. Once the rack is out, I guess it is easier to just replace it with a new one rather than have the dealerships disassemble and fix the old one and put it back. We all know what happens when regular shop monkeys start taking things apart that they’re not familiar with.

The fix has worked well so far on mine.

 

[MrB]

Just had a recall letter through and it's booked in for a full steering rack replacement (UK-based).

 

[Bandit_TypeR]

so the recall which includes the spring is a long term (permanent) fix?

Long-term fix. The worm wheel gear is inspected before replacing the spring to ensure its not damaged. Then a new tension spring and new spring cover screw are installed along with re-greasing. This fix is not meant to be temporary.

 

[TypeRD]

Err what?....Spain drives on the same side we do LHD

Oh wah! my bad
Gonna edit that post, to clear up unnecessary confusion I may have caused. I recall reading that the steering fix is different on RHD cars though, which makes sense. I didn’t realize Spain is LHD like us in the US.

 

[cryptolime]

recall complete but Hondalink still says "incomplete". hopefully it updates soon.

also, glad i changed the oil after the induction service i had done. It was very thinned out. surprised they didn't change it as part of the service. as it says to do so when i looked up the procedure online. had a small wind storm roll through while draining the oil and got oil all over my face and in my eyes...and my driveway...

 

[Bandit_TypeR]

recall complete but Hondalink still says "incomplete". hopefully it updates soon.

also, glad i changed the oil after the induction service i had done. It was very thinned out. surprised they didn't change it as part of the service. as it says to do so when i looked up the procedure online. had a small wind storm roll through while draining the oil and got oil all over my face and in my eyes...and my driveway...

Takes about a week for the Honda app to update and remove the message about scheduling a service appt for the recall.

 

[Yayo]

Err what?....Spain drives on the same side we do LHD
[/CITA]

Driving is on the right in all EU (European Union) countries (our steering wheel is on the left -LHD-) except in Ireland, Malta, and Cyprus (RHD). UK (RHD) is no longer part of the EU, which is a real shame because we have always felt very close to them from the continent. We used to shop in the UK without any problems or tariffs, and UK tourism in my country is highly appreciated.

Recall Fix for Civic FL4 (Hybrid), ZR-V and CR-V sold in my country has already begun and repair kits are being sent to dealers.

Personally, I think the US solution for the FL5 is less invasive than the European one. In fact, the solution for the FL4, which is the same as the US FL5, only takes 0.6 hours, while the FL5 takes 2.5 hours and requires a complete replacement of the steering box and subsequent alignment.

Otherwise, I think that if the US solution doesn't work, Honda will resort to the european solution, i.e., a complete replacement of the steering box.

 

[giantfiretruck]

I have done so many of these recalls at work, every day lol. Only a few fl5's but a ton of crv's and civic's, hrv's etc. it does fix issue's I've seen. If you kinda hang your thumb at 9 or 3 o'clock on steering wheel with a little downward pressure the wheel will twitch, and when driving you can feel that twitch as well, like lane keep asset (lkas). Adding the grease corrects issue. Older cars do need gearbox replaced to correct issue, never saw a fk8 with issue, but other trim civic's yeah.

 

[cryptolime]

i think when i had a replacement rack installed at 18k miles it must have had the updated parts. they did the recall and i felt zero difference (at 48k miles). still smooth as butter.

also, i had the recall done 5 days ago and it still says "recall incomplete" when i check my VIN through Honda and on the Hondalink app.

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