just crossed my mind and i figured id post this.
to all of you who havent already done it, or the new guys. change your diff fluid as soon as possible if it hasnt already been done.
ive done a bunch now, and mine was at 2k,. and mikes at 4 k. and the stock fluid is trash. it just cant seem to handle the break in. its the heaviest concentration of metal ive ever seen in any fluid aside from an engine failure. and if you leave it in there, that concoction will just polish away all the good meat you have on your diff.
i have put LE607 in every diff that ive done now, and every owner has noticed better diff action. in slides, take off, all around, and they feel good knowing the stuff they saw come out of there, is no longer riding along with them.
i have now had LE in for 23k of the hardest miles of any car on this board. R&D of every type ive been doing. ive gone through 3 clutches (test stuff) 2 sets of tires and brakes, and have wrecked the car doing a video shoot. 80% of the time my car runs, is at WOT. and i just checked my diff fluid, not one.... NOT ONE, metal flake. not even a hint of wear, not even discolored. the LE607 looks just as it did when i pumped it in at 2k miles. and i have prob near 1000 clutch dumps on this diff. and it doesnt make a sound.
i cannot stress enough. CHANGE YOUR DIFF FLUID.
later. dave

 

i just follow the service interval in my owners manual. just had it changed at 30k as recommended. along with tranny oil, motor oil and new cabin filter. oh and wiper blades too!!

 

thats why i posted this. 30k.... is 28k too long, believe me.

 

i just figured they know what they are talking about, after all they(Honda) built it.

now you got me all worried about my diff!

 

well, they do know what they are talking about. im sure your diff will be fine, im just advising. cause i have seen what comes out at 2k miles. and its sad. and i have a feeling thats why many diffs have failed. no service. whatd you put in yours????

 

I'm changing mine at 10K

 

Have you tried Mobil 1? I don't think there are any Amsoil dealers around me locally. Good thing this car only takes 1 qt, my truck took 4 qts of the stuff.

 

Dumb question, and I'm too lazy to search, but what is LE 607.

I'm at 12K now, but swapping dif fluid shouldn't be a tough task.

 

He is right when he says 30000 miles is way too long to go without changing the diff fluid. Having installed and borken in MANY sets of gears in my day, I usually change the fuild out after 500-1000 miles.

The thing he is wrong about is the factory lube being crap. I will agree that LE607 is probably better, I don't know what comes from the facotory. The fact is all new gears will just shed metal flakes during break in, it the nature of the beast. I would definately follow his advice if you have a new car and change the lube early. I just got a new truck and I know I will be changing the diff tomorrow.

As is the case for the engine, I wouldn't switch to synthetic that first time because there is still some breakin left (500-1000 miles) but you should be fine to after 5000 or so.

so to recap, best to change diff fuild at least by 1000 miles and then feel free to switch to synthic by 5000.

 

Rear diff maintenance is one area that I've always preached that Honda may have been remiss. At the very least, do that first one EARLY, then do it every year or 10K to 15K thereafter.