Side Case Replacement

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2009 Acura MDX, 2008 Acura MDX, and 2007 Acura MDX. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Remove the rear differential (see REAR DIFFERENTIAL REMOVAL ).
Remove the rear differential front mounting brackets (A) from the rear differential (B).

Fig 1: Identifying Rear Differential Front Mounting Brackets And Rear Differential
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Remove the rear differential fluid temperature sensor cover (A), rear differential fluid temperature sensor (B), O-ring (C), and rear differential harness bracket (D) with bolts.

Fig 2: Identifying Rear Differential Fluid Temperature Sensor, O-Ring And Harness Bracket
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Remove the rear differential left side case (A) or the rear differential right side case (B), the 10x12 mm dowel pins (C) from the rear differential center case (D).

Fig 3: Identifying Rear Differential Left And Right Side Case, Dowel Pins And Center Case
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Replace the rear differential left side case or the differential right side case.
Remove the ring gear (A), needle bearing (B), and the 60.2 mm shim (C) from the rear differential side case (D).

Fig 4: Identifying Ring Gear, Needle Bearing And Shim
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Measure distance © between the end of the rear differential side case (A) and 60.2 mm shim contact area of planetary gear (B) with a straight edge (C) and depth gauge (D). Measure at three locations, and average the reading.
NOTE:
- Carry out the measurement at normal room temperature.
- Clean all the parts thoroughly before measure.
  
  Fig 5: Identifying Distance Between Rear Differential Side Case End And Planetary Gear Shim Contact Area
  Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Measure distance (D between the end of the rear differential center case (A) and ring gear contact area of taper roller bearing (B) with a straight edge (C) and depth gauge (D). Measure at three locations, and average the reading.
NOTE:
- Carry out the measurement at normal room temperature.
- Clean all the parts thoroughly before measure.
  
  Fig 6: Identifying Distance Between Rear Differential Center Case End And Tapper Roller Bearing Ring Gear Contact Area
  Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Measure the distance (3) between the needle bearing (A) and tapper roller bearing contact area of ring gear (B) with a depth gauge (C). Measure at three locations, and average the reading.
NOTE:
- Carry out the measurement at normal room temperature.
- Clean all the parts thoroughly before measure.
  
  Fig 7: Identifying Distance Between Needle Bearing And Tapper Roller Bearing Contact Area Of Ring Gear
  Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Shim Selection Formula

Select the proper 60.2 mm shim from the table. Follow the example below, and use the measurements you made in steps 7 to 9.

(Basic Formula)

(1)+(2)-(3) + 0.19) = shim thickness

0.19 mm (0.007 in.): middle of the clearance standard.

Clearance Standard: 0.14-0.24 mm (0.006-0.009 in.)

(For example)

(1) = 6.12 mm (0.241 in.)

(2) = 15.3 mm (0.602 in.)

(3) = 19.5 mm (0.770 in.)

6.12 + 15.3 - (19.5 + 0.19) = 1.73 mm

Select the 1.70 mm shim from the table.

60.2 mm shim

SHIM THICKNESS CHART

No.	Part Number	Thickness
A	48701-RWG-000	1.10 mm (0.043 in.)
B	48702-RWG-000	1.20 mm (0.047 in.)
C	48703-RWG-000	1.30 mm (0.051 in.)
D	48704-RWG-000	1.40 mm (0.055 in.)
E	48705-RWG-000	1.50 mm (0.059 in.)
F	48706-RWG-000	1.60 mm (0.063 in.)
G	48707-RWG-000	1.70 mm (0.067 in.)
H	487Q8-RWG-000	1.80 mm (0.071 in.)
I	48709-RWG-000	1.90 mm (0.075 in.)
J	48710-RWG-000	2.00 mm (0.079 in.)
K	48711-RWG-000	2.10 mm (0.083 in.)
L	48712-RWG-000	2.20 mm (0.087 in.)

Place one strip of plastigage (A) on 60.2 mm shim contact area of planetary gear (B). Install the 60.2 mm shim (C), needle bearing (D), and the ring gear (E). Measure at three locations, and average the reading.
NOTE:
- Carry out the measurement at normal room temperature.
- Clean all the parts thoroughly before measure.
  
  Fig 8: Identifying Planetary Gear, Needle Bearing, Ring Gear And Shim
  Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the 8x12 mm dowel pins (A), the rear differential right side case (B) or the rear differential left side case (C) and the mounting bolts (D).

Fig 9: Rear Differential Right And Left Side Case, Dowel Pins And Mounting Bolts With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Tighten the mounting bolts in a crisscross pattern in several steps.
Remove the rear differential left side case (A) or the rear differential right side case (B), the 10x12 mm dowel pins (C) from the rear differential center case (D).

Fig 10: Identifying Rear Differential Right And Left Side Case, Dowel Pins And Center Case
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Remove the ring gear (A), needle bearing (B), and the 60.2 mm shim (C) from the rear differential side case (D).

Fig 11: Identifying Ring Gear, Needle Bearing, Rear Differential Side Case And Shim
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Measure the widest part of the plastigage.

Fig 12: Identifying Widest Part Of Plastigage
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
If the clearance is more than the standard, go to step 7. If the clearance measured in step 16 is within the standard, go to step 18.
Install the 60.2 mm shim (A), needle bearing (B), and the ring gear (C) onto the rear differential side case (D).

Fig 13: Identifying Ring Gear, Needle Bearing, Rear Differential Side Case And Shim
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Remove the dirt and oil from the sealing surfaces. Apply liquid gasket (P/N 08718-0001) to the sealing surface. Make sure you seal the entire circumference of the bolt holes to prevent oil leakage.
NOTE:
- You must assemble the housings within do in 5 minutes after applying the liquid gasket. If not, the sealing surface must be cleaned, and the liquid gasket reapplied.
- Allow it to cure at least 30 minutes after assembly before filling the differential with fluid.
  
  Fig 14: Identifying Liquid Gasket Along Broken Line And Around Bolt Holes
  Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the 8x12 mm dowel pins (A), the rear differential right side case (B) or the rear differential left side case (C), and the mounting bolts (D) onto the rear differential center case (E).

Fig 15: Rear Differential Right And Left Side Case, Dowel Pins And Center Case With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Tighten the mounting bolts in a crisscross pattern in several steps.
Install the rear differential fluid temperature sensor (A), new O-ring (B), rear differential harness bracket (C), and rear differential fluid temperature sensor cover (D) with bolts.

Fig 16: Differential Fluid Temperature Sensor, O-Ring, Cover And Harness Bracket With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the rear differential front mounting brackets (A) from the rear differential (B).
NOTE: Install a lower surface of the guides (C) horizontally as shown, then tighten the new rear differential front mounting bracket bolts (D).

Fig 17: Rear Differential Front Mounting Brackets, Rear Differential And Guides With Torque Specification
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the rear differential (see REAR DIFFERENTIAL INSTALLATION ).
Refill the differential fluid (see REAR DIFFERENTIAL FLUID INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT ).
Do the SH-AWD differential clutch torque memorization (see SH-AWD Differential Clutch Torque Memorization