[ibisbrew]

Originally Posted by Ashok.Vardhan

I have a Honda CRV (3rd Generation) 2008, which I recently took to Whitefield Honda (Bengaluru)--where it had been serviced, and purchased from, since it's first roll off the ramp. Since it's way past its warranty period, it had its first "paid" 60,000km service at 74,000km on 05th July, 2021.

After the service, the SA mentioned that shock absorbers needs overhaul and replacement of parts. He just gave a rough estimate of Rs. 1,00,000 for the entire system. Having owned an Esteem, which I have driven very rough and hard, criss-crossing the country on various challenging roads and terrains, I am somewhat aware of the various parts that come up for replacement when the shock-absorber system goes bad. So, I was not sure if the SA was being transparent about the final cost, and the parts needed to be replaced.

I did check on BoodMo and GoMechanic for the costs of the common parts that need to be replaced, and estimate that it might not even come to 60% of the cost he quoted.

However, I am in a quandary. Checking the parts catalogue on BoodMo returns multiple part number for the same item (eg. Front Struts) despite selecting the model correctly.

So, I would like to know from those who have managed to get Honda Service Centers to sell parts over-the-counter to you directly:

- How did you find out the exact part numbers?

- Should the service center list out the parts (and part numbers) that need replacements when suggesting it (because the SA, despite asking him to tell me exactly the list of various parts that need replacement, did not. He just gave a vague estimate and a general umbrella category: "Shock Absorber System - Front & Back")?

Your insight will go a long way in getting my CRV back in shape at a reasonable cost, which I am willing to spend, but not blindly. Please advice.

First things first, straight answers:

1.) Exact part numbers are available in the OEM Catalogue on Oriparts, accessible via the OEM catalogue option on Boodmo

2.) Yes, if you are interested in knowing, service center should tell you exactly what part needs replacement


I just checked the OEM Parts catalogue available via Boodmo and it seems your SA might be correct with the cost estimate.

Also, I do not see the problem of multiple part numbers for one part that you have mentioned. All parts show one part number, part numbers are only different in cases where there is a right and left distinction of parts.

For example:
Front Strut, Right - 51605-SWA-J21
Front Strut, Left - 51606-SWA-J21

Do make sure that you've selected the right trim level (Refer attached screenshot)

Both the front and rear struts (just the struts, not the full assembly, i.e. no mounts, no bearings, no springs etc.) cost around 12.5k each. That's 50k just for these.

Additionally, if we add, sway bar link rods, sway bar bushes, strut mounts, lower arms, inner and outer tie and so on, the cost easily amounts to 1,00,000.

In fact, if complete assemblies of both the lower arms (front and rear) need changing, the cost goes well beyond 1 lakh.

As you said, blind spending is not the way, and if you've not abused your vehicle, it's very unlikely that all parts have gone bad. At least the lower arms and inner tie rods should be okay imo.

So I suggest you go about this in the following manner:

1.) Ask the SA to get the vehicle diagnosed and show you exactly which parts need replacement?

2.) This requires you to be there when the suspension is being disassembled, and ask why new part is needed ? (is there any play, have the joints come loose ? etc.) I feel it's necessary to make sure only the appropriate parts are replaced.

E.g. I recently got my own vehicle checked at an FNG, I was shown the struts were not returning when pressed by hand, the inner tie rod's didn't show any play but they offered much less resistance when moved up, down, sideways. So I know the struts needs immediate replacement, while the inner tie rods will do for now, since the steering feels just fine and the inner ball joint of the tie rods is just starting to show wear.

3.) If you lack the technical inclination required for point no. 2 and are comfortable with a complete (or partial) overhaul of the suspension, then see point no. 1 and get the list of parts, at least part names, then check prices in the OEM Catalogue via Boodmo and go from there.

4.) If possible at all, the best option in my opinion is to find a reliable, reputed FNG who will not only disassemble the suspension in front of you, but will probably also be able to arrange OEM parts. Labour charges will also be nominal. Honda's labour charges are definitely on the higher side.

However, if you want your suspension overhaul to be noted in the official Honda records, then I suggest you buy parts from Honda A.S.S by giving them part numbers and get the job done at a good FNG.

[Ashok.Vardhan]

ibisbrew much appreciate the time you took for the detailed reply, and for the earlier posts in this thread as well.

Perhaps I should make some details even more clear regarding the trim I own: CR-V MK 3RD GEN 2.0L RVI MT

From my limited experience of trying to find parts off BoodMo and GoMechanic Spares, I feel 4 trims share the same body parts but differ when it comes to parts related to engine, etc. (but I am not 100% certain-which is where my dilemma lies)

Originally Posted by ibisbrew

First things first, straight answers:

For example:
Front Strut, Right - 51605-SWA-J21
Front Strut, Left - 51606-SWA-J21

Both the front and rear struts (just the struts, not the full assembly, i.e. no mounts, no bearings, no springs etc.) cost around 12.5k each. That's 50k just for these.

So when I start with that trim I mentioned earlier it returns all these parts# as possible matches:

Struts (not assemblies)

51606SWAJ05 (FR-L) - ₹9,999.00
51605SWAJ05 (FR-R) - ₹13,341.00

51606SWAJ21 (FR-L) - ₹12,242.00
51605SWAJ21 (FR-R) - ₹12,649.00


51605SWAJ04 (FR-R) - ₹11,139.00
51606SWAJ04 (FR-L) - ₹9,859.00

Struts (assemblies)


51602SWAJ06 (FR-L) - ₹18,729.00

51601SWAJ06 (FR-R) - ₹23,855.00

51602SWAJ31 (FR-L) - ₹25,067.00
51601SWAJ31 (FR-R) - ₹25,114.00

When I scroll down the page and verify if they are compatible with my trim (CR-V MK 3RD GEN 2.0L RVI MT) they all display as compatible (please check attached screenshots)


So this where my problem lies. Which should I choose, because are being displayed as being compatible. So my savings instinct is asking me to go for the cheapest.

If there are so many variations in just the struts alone, I wondering how many more are there in the other parts (Sway bar link rods, Sway bar bushes, Strut mounts, Lower arms, Inner and outer tie rods, etc.)

Originally Posted by ibisbrew

So I suggest you go about this in the following manner:

1.) Ask the SA to get the vehicle diagnosed and show you exactly which parts need replacement?

2.) This requires you to be there when the suspension is being disassembled, and ask why new part is needed ? (is there any play, have the joints come loose ? etc.) I feel it's necessary to make sure only the appropriate parts are replaced.

E.g. I recently got my own vehicle checked at an FNG, I was shown the struts were not returning when pressed by hand, the inner tie rod's didn't show any play but they offered much less resistance when moved up, down, sideways. So I know the struts needs immediate replacement, while the inner tie rods will do for now, since the steering feels just fine and the inner ball joint of the tie rods is just starting to show wear.

This was exactly my plan of action too, so not at all squeamish when it comes to point-3. I rather know, verify and proceed from there. I have been in far too many situation where mechanics/SA just blindly suggest replacements without due cause.

What you are suggesting in point-4. was going to be my eventual course of action as I am not really bothered if these repairs go into the service records as I have no immediate intention of selling this car, with the eventual goal being to scrap it, when the RTOs just won't renew the FC anymore.

[ibisbrew]

Originally Posted by Ashok.Vardhan

ibisbrew
When I scroll down the page and verify if they are compatible with my trim (CR-V MK 3RD GEN 2.0L RVI MT) they all display as compatible (please check attached screenshots)


So this where my problem lies. Which should I choose, because are being displayed as being compatible. So my savings instinct is asking me to go for the cheapest.

It's always a pleasure interacting with fellow BHPians.

I see that the multiple part numbers being returned are on the Boodmo parts page and not in the OEM catalogue (See link below)

Link: https://oriparts.com/47/743/69802?_g...iABEgI56fD_BwE

When accessed via this catalogue, we only get one part number for the struts (e.g. 51605-JWA-J21 - Right Front). So I assume this is the original part that in the car.

I ran into a similar situation recently, where the Link Rods were showing two part numbers (see attached screenshot of a previous post of mine)

What I did was quote the required part numbers and names mentioned in the Oriparts catalogue to the SA and requested the price for each. He was able to work around it himself, although he did mention that one of the part numbers I sent was wrong

Coming the price, I was also getting one set of link rods cheaper than the other. My concern was that if I order the cheaper, older part number, I might get the link rods from some old stock lying around. I went ahead anyway since dealer didn't have stock and Boodmo offers a returns option. I was pleasantly surprised to see that they were from March 2021.

So I suggest either you do what I did and request prices or you go talk to your SA and ask them to show you the parts catalogue. They should happily oblige. That way you can find out the part numbers being used right now as dealerships always have an updated catalogue and Oriparts is probably using the one issued originally (just my guess)

[hrbheda]

Originally Posted by rahulvv

Hey - did these shops sell you the parts at a discount or at MRP. The OEM prices from the company are exorbitant. e.g. Seltos's gear knob is priced at 4,500 Rs ... This is daylight robbery.

Could you also check with your contacts if they can source Kia parts?

As of now, there's a parts shortage and supply chain related delay so not sure about the timeline.

I have been in the US for three years now so been a bit out of touch with the usual guys. Kia launched after I left so not sure about that too now.

Where are you located in Mumbai? I can direct you to some of the shops I know.

And to answer your question about prices, depending on what part it was, it was either the printed mrp or a small discount. Again, the situation has changed a lot since then so the best bet would be to ask them directly.

[Ashok.Vardhan]

Thinking like a design engineer of a business, I know it makes no sense to completely redesign every individual parts for the same model over the various production years, unless there has been any major change to the core structure/design. It just simply does not make any business sense for production/inventory/distribution etc. As it turns out, the 3rd generation Honda CRV shares a lot of parts between the various trims for all the models ranging from production years 2007-2011.

So searching with this criteria in mind it becomes very apparent that my initial statement will hold some truth. So I went out to test my hunch and it came true. Since the body is same for almost all the trims (mostly only engine/transmission differs), most body parts, and the associated spares are same, though it will NOT appear so when you search based on CHASSIS/VIN number, both on Oriparts or at the Honda spares inventory/database at any ASC. For whatever reason, the Honda engineers kept most common parts the same but renamed the individual part number with subsequent iterations of production/trims.

My trim/production year/chassis type:

Region: INDIA
Production year: 2011 - 2011
Engine type: R20A1 - 2.0L SOHC I-VTEC (PETROL)
Chassis type: SWDV2UA1

If I search on Boodmo with this criteria for front shock absorber assembly (both left and right) these are the two "suggested" parts that both Oripart and ASC database will show:

51602SWAJ31(Front-Left) ₹25,067.00
Boodmo URL: https://boodmo.com/catalog/part-shoc...061.1628995042


51601SWAJ31(Front-Right) ₹25,114.00
Boodmo URL: https://boodmo.com/catalog/part-5160...061.1628995042

Doubts started to creep into my mind when I saw the prices for the same part (within this same generation) being priced considerably cheaper for a later year production for a different trim. My engineer mind just could not agree to this because, why would I want to redesign a shock absorber, unless the platform was not changed? So I went into the catalogue and checked the individual parts that make up the strut assembly (like Mounts, Springs, Strut, etc.) and compared them to the parts across the various trims in the production year range of the 3rd generation: 2007-2011, and voila! They were the same! If the mount is the same, then logic will say the strut fitting into it will be the same. So I went out to test that too. Luckily, the struts for the various trims/production years has photos, so I carefully examined them to check if there were any change in the design (placements of brake calliper mounts, length of the strut, etc.) Careful analysis of the photos made me conclude that each of them were identical.

As I had noticed, and mentioned in my earlier thread, a stark and steep difference in price from the struts of the various trims/production years I searched the entire catalogue for 3rd generation and found these two as the cheapest ones:

51602SWAJ41 (Front-Left) ₹7,749.00
Boodmo URL: https://boodmo.com/catalog/part-shock_absorber-7429430

51601SWAJ41 (Front-Right) ₹7,751.00
Boodmo URL: https://boodmo.com/catalog/part-51601swaj41-12395288/

Which were the parts of this trim/production year/chassis type:

Region: INDIA
Production year: 2010 - 2010
Engine type: K24Z1 - 2.4L DOHC I-VTEC (PETROL)
Chassis type: SWAW2UB7

I was dumbfounded by this remarkable difference in price. Surely, there was nothing that engineeringly different in the earlier version that commanded such a steep price? Furthermore, I know for a fact that Honda, typically only improves the quality of their iterations, not degrades. So why this steep price? Chances are these are the likely reasons:

- Early on during the sale of CRV's in India, they were CBU's (Completely Built Units) so the entire vehicle was imported from Japan, and likewise all the spares were too. So the price might have been high, initially?
- With more demand (CRV is Honda's most successful car in the US and in other parts of the world), production to economies of scale would have reduced part costs, which is highly likely?
- Honda might have manufactured the part in India itself from the later iterations of the same generation?

Whatever the actual reason, I was not that keen to pay ₹25,067.00 for something that was also being sold at ₹7,749.00 so I took the plunge and bought both struts of the later trim. Boodmo anyway has a return option (check their conditions for a successful return).

The parts arrived and after careful examination at the FNG of the removed strut from my CRV it turns out they are the same!!!!! Furthermore, these parts were Manufactured in Japan! (Sorry I did not posts photos of the boxes with this information, I can do so if someone wants me to.)

So got them installed, and they have made an incredible change to the ride quality at less than a 3rd of the price of the "recommended" one for my trim.

For those who find it hard to believe, check all the parts numbers in the attached photos. Hope this helps someone else that has the same trim that I have:

Region: INDIA
Production year: 2011 - 2011
Engine type: R20A1 - 2.0L SOHC I-VTEC (PETROL)
Chassis type: SWDV2UA1

Bear in mind, this will only apply to common parts shared between the trims and production years of the same generation, it will not apply to: Engine, Transmission, and other such obvious categories, which makes the trims different.

All the best in saving your money.

[1985Darkkid85]

I am trying to get the bumper for my Honda brio via over the counter, as it was damaged recently.
The Honda customer care is useless and they keep bouncing mails back to Dakshin Honda who are audacious enough to totally deny my request.

Can someone share contacts of Honda senior management like an email id? I am tired of dealing with this useless dealership (Dakshin Honda, Bangalore) over emails and WhatsApp.

[Vernafied]

Hello Petrolheads, can anyone provide Address and contact details from where i can source original honda spare parts in Mumbai/Thane? Dealerships are totally useless.