I'm hitting 5k mark on my odometer and I don't know if I should change my diff. and tranny fluid? If so, what do you guys recommend or use?

I'm planning on using honda mtf for tranny, but for diff...honda fluild or mobil 1?

How long will it take to do both fluids? I was thinking about doing this with my oil change...

Thanks for you help.

 

Check the following link. It has a really good step by step procedure on both changes frim XVIPER.

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=108435

It took only about 1 hour to do both in the garage. I could probably do it faster the 2nd time around.

I used the GM modified syncromesh for the transmision and Mobile 1 diff fluid. Both seem to be holding up well.

I plan to replace both every 5k. Cheap and easy maintenance.

 

thanks...I actually read that link.

I'm still debating whether to do the diff/tranny change now or wait 'till 10k...?

 

The longest part of the operation was spent jacking up the car. Once it's up, the oil, diff, and tranny can all be done very quickly and easily.

Most cars with a LSD reccomend an early change of the fuild then changing it out less often. I assume that it is because of particulates that contaminate the fluid durring break-in. There have been many posts of people doing their diff fluid changes and finding VERY nasty looking fluid. Some as early as 2-3,000 mi.

I did mine at about 4,000mi and it was pretty nasty. If you have the car up for an oil change I would definatly do it.

Also, there have been reports of the unique design of the transmission being MORE susceptable to wear and dammage with bad fluid. This would be seen as the car not shifting well, then doing an fluid change and the shifting working much better. I prefer to not ever let it get that bad in the first place.

I used Honda MTF for the tranny, and Mobil 1 for the diff. I plan to do the diff and tranny fluids every other oil change.

 

thanks pete...im going to change diff, clutch, oil this week.

 

I just changed my diff and tranny for the first time last week and it was all very easy. I did this at ~9500 miles on the odo, and the diff fluid was looking pretty nasty with a lot of stuff on the magnetic drain plug (be sure to clean this VERY well). The tranny fluid still looked fine when I took it out, but the shifting got a lot smoother with the new stuff. I used LE-607 in the diff and Honda MTF in the tranny. I'll probably stick with the 607 in the diff (Mobil 1 75W-90 is very good stuff too), but will probably try Redline MT-90 next time in the tranny. Be sure to also get new drain and fill washers for both diff and tranny. As for tools, you need a 3/8" drive, 17mm socket (I think), a 24mm socket, a 23mm wrench, and a fluid pump/gun (I am using a $10 suction gun and it worked pretty well). Good luck

 

I Have 18k miles, and all I've done is regular oil and filter changes. at 8k I had to replace my clutch, but I'm not sure if Honda changed tranny oil. I doubt it. I am planning on changing the Tranny and Diff. oil next time I do an oil change. Is there anything else that I should do or check at this mileage?

 

How does your clutch fluid look? I ask for two reasons: 1. You have already replaced the clutch once and that's and interesting event. Second 20,000mi or every 2 years is a good interval to at least start inpecting the clutch fluid. It should look like cooking oil. If it is dark, bleed it. There is a how-to in the Under the Hood forum stickied to the top with a LOT of information on maintence including changing the fluid in the clutch.

Clutch fluid is just brake fluid. I use any over the shelf DOT3 fluid. The clutch fluid gets no where NEAR the abuse of the brake fluid so spending more on fluid is just spending more on fluid.

Inspect the brakes while it's up there, especially if they have never been done on the car. On a regular car I only get about 20K out of a set of fronts and 40k out of a set of rears. (Sometimes less, like at track events. )If you do the brakes, replace all the brake fluid too. If you are driving ONLY on the street any quality DOT3 fluid is fine. If you are tracking your car you probably already know about brake fluid. (If not, post up a new topic on brakes at the track, I could go on and on about that topic.) DOT4 fluid is geared toward the track, and just because it's good on the track does NOT mean it's good on the street. You need to replace DOT4 fluid MUCH more often so if you are not tracking the car, stick to DOT3. NEVER EVER EVER use DOT5 fluid in a car.

I would also check out all the boots on the CV joints, ball joints, etc and make sure there are not torn. Make sure your shock aren't leaking (you'd see fluid down the sides of them.)

Check your air filter AND your in-cabin filter (it's behind the battery underneath the platic cowling. Check the links in UTH for pictures and instructions.)

That should cover it.

 

THANKS, THIS REALLY IS THE BEST FORUM!

 

Oh yea speaking of tranny fluid.... I got two bottles of Royal Purple sitting on my coffee table. When could we do this Pete?