this is some good info thanks

 

Why the hell are these bolts so big?

 

Can anyone confirm?

 

Mr Honda's wife was consulted in the design specs for those bolts and....as you may have been told....size matters! .

No seriously, I don't see the need since the drain bolt sizes for the oil pan and tranny are "normal" and the diff is twice the size. Because of it you'll need to buy a tool (23mm box end wrench and a 24mm socket) that you'll never need for anything else. Maybe they made a deal with the tool manufacturers that weren't selling enough 23mm wrenches - hmm.

At least the diff drain bolt holds a magnet. It is the only drain bolt on this car that comes standard with a magnet.

-Hockey

 

We've been using Mobil 1 75W90 for the last 112,000 miles with great results. Do yourselves a favor and go get a 23/24mm wrench before you get started and it'll go much faster and with less cursing.

We used to change the tranny/diff every 15K but now it's more like every other to third oil change. It's cheap and easy to do and good insurance.

 

Yep,did the same as you today.I changed from Almasol to RP Max Gear.It's just easier to find and I run it in my Vette.

I used ramps instead of jacking/stands.EZ!

I like to chng the trans & diff fluid every 3rd oil change.

Great Write up.
\db

 

I did my 2nd differential change last weekend (car only has 8000 miles).

during the first change from factory, lots of thick fluid came out. I had put in Mobil 1 75W90 in. I changed teh fluid last weekend and I noticed a bit of thick fluid (dark just like the OEM) came out.

I really don't think the M1 could have got this dark within the last 2000 miles. It must be some left over from teh first change? I let it sit and drain for an hour...

 

Just did mine.

Didn't have a pump so took the rear driver side tire off and ran a vacuum hose to the wheel well, worked like a charm.

 

Socket and a few min with the grinder and there you go. Plenty of room.

 

For somebody that doesn't have a torque wrench (me) and that wants to do this tomorrow (because its one of my few days off), is it imperative that I tighten the drain plug to exactly 33 ft lbs? or can I get away with a very firm amount of torque applied?