03 Vue AWD v6 RDM?

[Partymmudasti]

I brought my parents 03 Vue, AWD v6 in for a coolant leak. They called me and said it was the water pump and that the Saturn warranty is going to replace the water pump, timing belt (I insisted on that when I heard it was the water pump) and tensioner. $50 deductible. Woot!

They called me later today and said "Well, we got it finished and the tech brought it for a test drive. Your rear module is bad and the warranty is covering that too. The parts will be in tomorrow".

I had no idea my rear axle assembly was bad - what are the symptoms? A year or 2 ago I posted in this forum about the rear carrier leaking. When I brought it in to Saturn, they couldnt duplicate the problem and sent me on my way. I wonder if the fluid leaked out and burnt it up? Is the RDM failure a common problem? THANK GOD for the Saturn warranty, btw. Its paid for itself 4x over already. :whoa:

[Partymmudasti]

TTT anyone?

[1saxman]

The tech probably heard a grinding noise on a full-lock turn. Now you will get the updated RDM which comes in with a lurch because it's set up to respond to a higher rate of front wheel spin. Still, it should also last longer. You should have the Versatrak fluid in the RDM changed every 24 mo/24K miles.

What's 'TTT'?

[Partymmudasti]

The tech probably heard a grinding noise on a full-lock turn. Now you will get the updated RDM which comes in with a lurch because it's set up to respond to a higher rate of front wheel spin. Still, it should also last longer. You should have the Versatrak fluid in the RDM changed every 24 mo/24K miles.

What's 'TTT'?

THANK YOU!! I have posted in here 3-4 times in the past 2 or 3 years and NEVER gotten a response. I was beginning to think I was not welcome in the VUE forums :cry::cry: Ive never had a problem in the L-series forum (considering, too, there is much less traffic there yet I always get several replies) or the S-series forum.

TTT means "Take To Top". It puts the thread at the top of the forum so it gets more visibility, and perhaps, a reply. In this case it worked :D

[IMkenNY]

I bet alot of perfectly good 02/03 RDMs were replace by dealers because of RDM engagement noise in tight slow turns.

I noticed this engagement noise on all three of my 02/03 era AWD Vues and I never did have a RDM failure.

They even mentioned in the owners manual the RDM noise upon engagement

[1saxman]

Why would the RDM be 'engaging' in a tight, slow turn with no wheelspin? Anyway, some owners just change the oil when they hear that and it stays good for some time. If I had known all this in 2005, I might not have taken mine in for warranty service (it had the 'tire rub' noise on a slow tight turn) which resulted in having the revised RDM put in - I would have tried changing the oil first. The original RDM worked perfectly - the new one works, but has quite a delay. I still think the RDMs are exactly the same except for the spring/ball check having a stiffer spring, requiring more oil pressure (higher rate of front wheel spin) to activate the clutch. At least that's my idea on it, for what it's worth. I'm not going to take my RDM apart to find out!

[Wingmn]

Does anyone know how to change the oil in the RDM? Since the interval is suppose to be every two years or so?

[1saxman]

There is a procedure but basically it's a drain and fill. It has a drain plug and a fill plug - on the front half of the RDM I think. The procedure says to fill it within one-half inch of the fill hole, drive it in a tight figure-eight for a few minutes to prime the gerotor pump, then make sure level is still near the fill hole. Most people pretty much put in a quart and plug it. Even if you did this every year, the cost is still low compared to replacing the RDM out of your pocket. I'm guessing about $1000. I don't believe there is an official change interval, but the 24 mo/24K interval would be the max IMO.

[VTchemist]

The owner's manual stated the RDM fluid should be changed at 90K for the 2003 AWD models. Also the PTU fluid should be changed at about the same time. The tranny (in an updated list) calls for changes in tranny fluid every 60K instead of 100K.

The tranny in the 2003 (Aisin) does not share its fluid with the Power Takeoff Unit (PTU) as it does it the Honda models.

There is a filling procedure that has been posted on the site. You'll need to have the correct fluid (pricey) and the ability to get under your VUE to drain and add the fluid.

My dealership lists the price at $175. But since I don't have ramps and can't jack the VUE up in the air (level), I don't have much of a choice.

If you have access to a lift or can set yours up on jacks, you may be able to DIY.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[IMkenNY]

Why would the RDM be 'engaging' in a tight, slow turn with no wheelspin?

The 02/03 RDMs had a quick engagement, in a tight turn the front tires rotate more that the back tires (the same for front wheel spin where the fronts rotate more than the back) and this was enough to cause the RDM to engage.

I had a 03 RDM engage in a straight line drive when it had mismatched heigth tires (fronts where slightly shorter), I had to switch the fronts to the back to overcome the issue.

Im sure the noise complaints from the RDM engaging on tight turns had something to do with the delayed RDM engagement on the revised RDMs

[kwguy]

Or you could just yank out the rdm and not have to worry about it. Seriously. How often does a front wheel drive vehicle lose traction? Not very often. So why worry about the thing. Just pull it out along with the drive shafts and enjoy a vehicle that has improved mileage and one less thing to maintain. I'm planning on doing this to my vue very soon.

[1saxman]

Anybody that goes 90K on versatrak fluid is asking for trouble.

ETA: I think the PTU takes 75W90 Hypoid Gear Oil.