Rear Differential Removal

Special Tools Required 

Driveshaft remover 07AAD-S3VA000

1. Raise the vehicle on a lift
2. Drain the rear differential fluid (see REAR DIFFERENTIAL FLUID INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT )
3. Remove the rear wheels
4. Remove exhaust pipe B and the muffler (see EXHAUST PIPE AND MUFFLER REPLACEMENT )
5. Remove the lower arm A mounting bolts (A) and the lower arm B mounting bolts (B)
   Fig 1: Identifying Lower Arm Mounting Bolts

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
6. Disconnect the inboard joints (A) from the rear differential (B) using the driveshaft remover (C) and a hammer
   Fig 2: Identifying Inboard Joints, Rear Differential And Driveshaft Remover

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
7. Pull the knuckle (A) outward, and separate the rear driveshaft inboard joints (B) from the rear differential
   Fig 3: Identifying Rear Driveshaft Inboard Joints And Knuckle

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
8. Make reference marks (A) across the No 3 propeller shaft (B) and the rear differential companion flange (C) Separate the No 3 propeller shaft from the rear differential
   NOTE: Suspend the propeller shaft with an appropriate size wire
   Fig 4: Identifying Propeller Shaft And Rear Differential Companion Flange

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
9. Disconnect the rear differential subharness connectors (A), and remove the harness clips (B)
   Fig 5: Identifying Rear Differential Subharness Connectors And Harness Clips

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
10. Remove the rear subharness rear bracket bolts (A)
    Fig 6: Identifying Rear Subharness Rear Bracket Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
11. Place a transmission jack (A) under the rear differential (B)
    Fig 7: Identifying Transmission Jack And Rear Differential

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
12. Remove the rear differential rear mount bolts (C) and the rear differential front mounting bracket nuts (D)
13. Lower the rear differential a little on the transmission jack, then disconnect the breather hose (A)
    Fig 8: Identifying Breather Hose

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
14. Lower the rear differential on the transmission jack
15. Remove the set ring (A) from the rear differential
    Fig 9: Identifying Set Ring

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.