Hey,

So i recently replaced my diff oil and found that the black rag i used to clean up the magnetic bolt lit up like a Christmas tree with all the metal shards. This was the first time i performed the task myself.

The below possible causes are all before i started consistently taking the car to the track. (2 1/2 years)

I had some thoughts to why this was occurring, A few years back i had my diff pulled apart to check for a vibration. Maybe when it was put back together, things were not done within spec? Another suspicion is the previous owner had the left brake caliper seize on him and had to have the hub + axle replaced. Maybe this caused some damage, however i feel like this should of been obvious if the diff was pulled apart?

Then i was replacing my cat and noticed my transmission brace and mounts have had a big impact. I think i remember doing this
Could the below damage be affecting my diff?

Thanks,

 

Where is the pic of the shards?

 

Its been a few months since i did the change but i'll try and find a rag covered in the shard / flakes. The rags have been used since so i may need to get the flash going. I'll try and post a pic tomorrow. The flakes are small though.

 

My valued internet opinion is that something is terribly wrong with your rag.


Come on. The only way to know is to open up the differential and examine. I've never done it on a S2000 and don't know how big a project that might be. But I had a differential in another car where a bolt backed out of the sun gear and was gouging its way through the aluminum. Shards not only in the oil but throughout to gearing.

Was the metal only on the magnetic bolt and nothing in the oil? Was it microscopic specs - essentially sludge on the bolt? Did the oil look silver or coppery? If it was a little sludge on the bolt and a sheen to the fluid, I wouldn't worry to much.

 

Been filling the differential with hypoid gear oil? Not to be confused with genuine Honda differential oil which will allow damage to occur.

-- Chucj

 

there's a high likelihood that this is related to the diff rebuild. the pinion nut has a very specific torque specification procedure.

 

Damn it! I knew i should of bought the OEM rag vs the ebay replica I understand that i won't know unless i open it up but i was more curious that if the impact to the transmission could be a cause and therefore rectifiable by replacing the damaged components. Which could prevent further damage?
If i go down the path of having the diff opened up again i most likely would by a 2nd hand diff and have it rebuilt.

No photo today as i didn't go into the garage last night but i will be going in tonight so ill post one up tomorrow. Metal was in the oil as well as I could see the oil sparkle in the sunlight. It was a mixture of silver sludge and flakes, The flakes were big enough to manipulate by my fingernail.

I have no idea what oil was used previously or after the rebuild, when i did the change i put this stuff in:

Penrite Oil | PRO GEAR 80W-140 (Full Syn.)

 

Some charcoal coloured paste is normal on the magnet

 

According to the link the oil in the differential meet spec -- it's a hypoid gear oil.

Wear seems like it's related to the differential rebuild not setting the gear lash right.

-- Chuck

 

Unfortunately the rags i had used no longer have enough shards / flakes to be worth posting about.

I plan to do another diff fluid change in the coming months, ill update with with how that goes.