Getting all my hens in line before I tackle installing a diff in my s2000. When removing the rear ball joint do I have to use Honda's "special" ball joint remover? Or can I use any old ball joint remover. Or better yet is there a way I can do it with no special tools at all.

Just for the curious. I have a slight noise coming from my diff with 4.44. I have two spare diffs one with 4.10 and another that I am getting 4.77 installed. I also have a 4.44 diff on the car now. That makes 3 I might even try the install myself of the ring and pinion(4.77). I have spare diffs and if ya don't try it your never learn.

Why all the diffs. If ya look around you can find very nice used diffs for about 500 dollars. It cost 45 dollars to have them shipped from the west coast to east coast(ups). The Diff is the weakest part of the car. I'll have three diffs with different gears and it is still cheaper than one brand new diff from the
dealer.

But I digress Anwsers to the ball joint question would be awesome.

 

You can use almost any kind of ball joint separator. I'd show you a pic, but the photo album isn't working well right now. Just DON'T use a PICKLE FORK! You might just end up tearing the rubber grease boot.
About the noise, did you dump the fluid early, like around 1500 miles and check to see how it looked and how much "stuff" was on the magnet. This is an indicator of how well your gears are set up.

 

I had a shop do the install. They used a large hammer to free the joints. It simply to a good pop for the joints to open. They hit the lower part of the joint from the rear, and the upper part just pop'ed out.

 

Thanks Guys. Yeah I drained and checked. It looked ok not that bad. Some really small flakes but nothing major. I believe one of my bearings is shot. I'll know better once I open her up

Thanks for the info guys.

 

FYI

You DO NOT have to loosen the ball joint, you don't have to loosen the control arm to swap diffs.

I did it with a friend of mine on the garage floor and it took about 2 hours. It's very easy and it will save you having to re align later.

 

Ditto what Slick Rick said - the diff swap can be done without removing the ball joints or any of the alignment bolts. I forget the exact procedure, even though I've done it. Just get yer head under there, look at things for a little bit, and you'll figure it out...

Good luck man!

 

I'll give you guys a hint since I smell brain cells burning.

Disconnect both shocks from the A-arms.
Put a jack under one of the rear wheels.
Start pumpin'
Remove diff.





Thank you very much.

 

Oh thank you. Its the small stuff like this that is just awesome. Thanks For sharing!

 

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for a pic of the tool do a search for "Mad Rabbit"