You could, but unless you really know what you're looking for, you could end up hiding a problem and having the techs pass your axles as OK when they're not, preventing you from getting the free replacement. I wouldn't touch them until they're inspected.

 

I don't think so. If you look at my photos above, there appears to be a plastic coating or sleeve covering the axle. On the one side, my coating/sleeve is breeched and you can see rusty metal underneath. I think part of the problem is that rust will progress up under the vibration damper where you can't see the shaft. So if you have any bare metal that could be painted, you won't be able to assess or coat the area under the vibration damper.

But a similar thing that I'm thinking is that my "good" side looks really good and I expect that side won't be replaced. But I may wrap some protective tape, like helicopter tape, around the axle to help protect the coating.

 

Sounds like we are thinking along the same lines, but I get what you are saying.

You, perhaps, think that clear helicopter tape will allow you to see corrosion if it happens...? Just a thought.

 

I'm actually thinking where the plastic coating is fully intact, wrap it with tape to help protect it from whatever (stone chips? becoming brittle from weathering?) causes it to crack off.

 

Need to be concerned ? Took these yesterday of the passenger side . These are the larger part of the inner axle .

 

@Odie:

1) Looks like all of the coating on your axle is gone, and you have a layer of rust on the bare metal. So, I'm wondering how you lost all of the factory axle coating so completely.

2) How many miles on the car?

3) Where do you live, and what are the conditions (weather, salt, etc.)?

4) Looks like it's just surface rust, which may not be a crisis (yet).

 

N.E. , plenty of humidity , rain , snow , salt , dirt , etc.. 7 years of ownership and getting near 70,000 miles . The surface doesn't look as bad as Jacoblong09s' axle that broke . Our axle is smoother than rough . May have a little life left . Plan to get it done sooner than later .

 

That doesn't look that bad ... the surface is entirely uniform. If you had pitting, deformity etc, I would say the metal is weaker. I'd imagine they're unlikely to break until a decent amount of material is rusted away.

I'd still have it replaced, just saying, you may not be close to having it fail.

 

I have a Honda Fit (2009). In 2018, the right shaft broke while I stopped and restarted at a traffic light. Six months later, the left shaft also broke into two pieces as AAA told me. I paid $600 in each incident. Unlucky for me, if it lasted three years longer, I could get them replaced free.

 

The recall notice that I received says "If you paid out of pocket to have these specific recall repairs performed..., you may be eligible for reimbursement." "Please contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 to determine potential eligibility..."

These numbers may help: NHTSA Recall Number 20V-770, Honda Campaign Number P9M, Service Bulletin Number 21-009

Good luck!

 

Like stated above . Got nothing to lose . Should be reimbursed . Hopefully , you still have the invoices .

 

That's kinda what I was thinking. But I have no expertise here.

 

I'm not sure what this photo shows? All of the photos of the axle shafts that I've seen show the two short shafts with a rubber boot at each end and the damper in the middle. Like the photo I posted below. Could it be that the photo above is of a sway bar or other suspension component. I ain't no expert, so just asking....

 

these recalls only mailed to original owners? I have an 09 but bought the car used from a private party. 3rd owner.

 

Letters should have gone out to the current registered owners of the VIN's affected.
If you didn't get one...stop into your dealer with your vin number.

 

Well I didn't check with dealer but I checked on honda.com and safercar.gov for open safety recalls. Both show 0. So I guess I'm good? I've had the car the past 2 years

 

I would think so.
You could also just give your dealer a call and they'll tell you for sure.

 

More Off-Topic: How about a coat of bearing grease if the axles look okay? Or some kind of grease to keep off moisture and salt?

 

You are supposed to register on the honda website to get recall notices when you aren't the original owner. I did this when I bought mine and got the notice.

 

Nope.
​​​​​​Recalls follow the registration.
I received a notice...never registered on the website. (and I'm the third owner)