The Odyssey just went through a service odyssey.
The Ody has one of those service indicators than determines what service is required and when. Usually, it trips around the one year mark, good for timely oil changes, but with the pandemic it did not bring up anything last summer. My wife was off work for about three months, but otherwise the Ody ran its usual errands. So I decided to let the thing do what it does and see when it'll come calling. It did late February, and I was pretty surprised to get a service appointment at the dealer right away.
The van had developped a "clunk" in front, driver's side, and I suspected a ball joint, even though the van only has 82,000 km. Also the very few times it was parked in the cold, it would squeak on start-up, accessory belt suspect. Plus, tech service bulletin from Honda needed to be adressed for galvanitic corrosion on tailgate trim. And "Service B" as per the car's service reminder.
The dealership has one of these "drive-in" bays for service appointments, but it felt weird from the start as the advisor's area had been rearranged. I've been taking my business to this dealer since 1995, know the faces and names but except for the hot 40-ish blonde service advisor, all new faces. My service advisor was the other one - a not confidence-inspiring middle-aged fake blonde "Los tabarnacos" type of lady that had to be reminded I was here for my "Service B" - it was right there on the call notes. She went to the drive-in bay to check the corrosion on the "hayon" (hatch) - but she was looking at the hood. I had to go point at the right part.
Doesn't know what to do with my tech bulletin, shows it to the new head of service - who was probably in high school when my van was made - and the guy claims to never have seen this letter. I almost walked out to check if this was still a Honda franchise. Can't do a thing with that, he says, take it to Honda Canada he says, and I will.
Diagnostics for my clunk and squeak will run at 122$/hr, and are not deductible from the repairs. Nice, wasn't that way the last time. Heck a few years ago I actually worked with forums and the great service advisor to diagnose a top-plate issue with the front struts, which became a service bulletin in the US. Eons ago.
The "limo" driver is also new. Wears a flannel hunter's vest, classy. Where's the previous smiling retired guy in suits? The "limo" is a same-year, same-colour Ody as mine. Bunch of lights lit up in the dash, service indicator says "Oil 5%" and I know the "13" means transmission oil is due. TPMS light is on for good measure. The guy knows where to drive me, but makes a wrong turn on the very first turn. Van is dirty, has tons of clunks and noises. I got home. Phew.
Later I get the call from Los Blondie. Ball joint is shot, car needs a full table sub-assembly replacement, 1,500$ + tax. The squeak - did not happen in more than a few days - comes from the power steering pump they say, oil low they say, rack and pinion has a leak they say, 1,900$ + tax. Nope, do the "Service B", don't touch the rest, let me think about that. Somehow I don't trust this to be a 4k$ service.
When I pick up the car, it's written on the invoice that the car is dangerous and can't be driven. With diagnostics and new filters the Service B ran up a 600$+ tab, never seen that before. I drive home, park the van in the garage, tell the wife to use the pressie, and hit the internet.
First stop: Rockauto. The ball joint exists as a stand-alone part. Which means, it can be replaced without removing the whole shabang - that is also available as a pre-assembled rebuild for less than 200$. Rack and pinion is not cheap at 600$. Next stop, odyclub.com. Similar dealer stories about sub-assemblies being proposed when just a ball joint is needed. A hydraulic press is required to replace the ball joint, probably not in the dealer's shop inventory. Steering rack requires dropping the entire front subframe two inches, oh-ho.
Time to call Indy.
