I read through that thread again. In fact, I was one of the original contributors.

It does nothing to dispel any material changes by Honda with the exception of an individual or two stating "the material did not change". Absent any specific credentials relating to metallurgy, I find that "suspect".

I'm not sure where CrazyPhud got his info....but, I certainly would not exclude material changes in the my04+ diffs. I do recall Honda claiming improved diffs on the my04+ models.....perhaps, they were simply BSing us?

Again, I'll ask -and the my04s have been out a while now - is anyone aware of the my04+ diffs grenading under regular, spirited driving conditions?

 

Roadster_1, Honda made no specific metallurgy claims either so until someone does, that point should be delt with then. We can neither assume they did or did not make any changes. Agreed?

Now Honda did clearly make some changes to the diff design, as it has been posted my me and others. There have been a few MY04+ diff that have failed, and have been posted but the search sucks so I can't find they to post. But there has been far fewer then prior years. Honda have also updated the part number so if you need a new housing, reguardless of year, you get the MY04+ design.

 

unfortunately, you can't directly compare for 2 reasons.

A. the 04+ haven't been out long enough.

B. the delay valve. this is probably THE BIGGEST contributor to less failed 04+ diffs, since it prevents the kind of "behavior" or improper driving that would normally cause bearing cap flex.


likewise, as some have stated there is a visual difference, however, i have never seen anything official from honda where they ever stated the diff was stronger in any way shape or form.

 

I'm curious where you got this information from. To my knowledge, the casing/housing is cast iron. On all model year S2000's.

However, even the post you quoted didn't address the biggest issue, and most likely common cause of failure, which is bearing cap flex. The housing is cast iron, and i've never seen anyone have a failure due to a weak housing.

 

Wisconsin S2k

There was something posted about the dif being revised. I just searched Hondanews.com and I could not find it, but I remember it was from a reliable source. As soon as we could get our hands on one as a replacement part, we had it on the bench. Sure enough, there were changes to the casting that show Honda had indeed made some changes. That was in late 03 that we had it on the bench. It looks the same as the picture I posted in the other thread.

 

http://www.vtec.net/articles/view-article?...6&page_number=2

Make what you will of the source.

 

Here is the text that referances the diff

 

what does this mean lol

 

It means it's stronger...

 

yea that's in essence the same article I found. I was actually looking for the original source and ideally a direct source from honda but couldn't find anything definitive.

That said I do believe the article to be credible given the level of detail provided and the two revised parts, the gears and the Diff housing. Both the gears and the diff housing were revised for 2004+ which is consistent with what he was reporting. It's interesting to note that the rear diff cover part number was not changed. However it is likely this is under a great deal less stress than the housing.

Baring a metallurgical analysis of the 00-03 diff housing and 04+ diff housing to the contrary I would tend to believe that the materials have been upgraded.