strange...went to replace my diff fluid today, and the shop that did it last mixed up the bolt placement and put the magnetic bolt in the fill hole...sheesh

 

i thought they were different sizes :s

 

strangely, the heads are different, but the threads are the same

 

^early on in this thread, another member mentioned the same thing happening, probably won't be the last time it happens either.

 

yeah the lower bolt is 24mm and the upper is 23 mm, but the threads look the same.

I can't get a torque wrench on the upper bolt. My 22mm wrench is nice and long so it gets a decent amount of torque on the bolt, I know what it feels like to just snug it up without damaging the threads and without leaving it too loose either.

On the washer issue, the guy who owned my car previously obviously re-used the washers, they eventually became so thin and they have bonded to the bolt itself, so I've got a second washer mounted on the bolt with a paper thin remnant of the old washer. So yeah change the washers when you can. If you are in a pinch you can re-use them but don't do it all the time if at all possible. You don't need Honda washers you can get replacement sizes at most auto parts stores.

 

24 and 23, respectively

 

Ah damn you're right, sorry for the error, I remember them being off by 1mm and I forgot that I owned 23mm box end wrench, but I do ! lol. Gonna correct the previous reply to avoid a mistake. Thanks for the correction.

I used a 24mm socket on the bottom bolt and a long 23 mm box end wrench on the upper.

 

het, when torquing down the bolts, 33 ft-lbs does not seem like a lot. and by no means am i a strong guy. could it be my torque wrench? b/c i could still turn a little more.

 

33 lb ISN'T a lot on a big 1/2 drive ft-lb torque wrench. You're fine.

 

thanks! man that diff fluid is so thick!!! that was a PITA!