Hey guys. So I changed my oil and transmission fluid today, but couldn't change the diff fluid. First, I bought a 24mm socket for the drain bolt but forgot to get a 23mm wrench for the fill bolt. Long story short, no store around had a 23mm socket or wrench, just 22mm and 24mm. So I used an adjustable wrench I had in the garage. The bolt was extremely tight so I hit it with some PB blaster and let it sit for awhile. Came back to it and while using all my force to break the bolt loose, the wrench actually broke off one of the "fins" (metal tab) on the diff, and bent another, but the bolt still didn't budge. There are no cracks in the diff or anything so I think it's okay. Am I right? Also, the fill bolt is slightly rounded over now. I know I know, I should have just waited until I could get a 23mm wrench instead of using an adjustable wrench. So I stopped and will try it again when I get the right wrench. I'm just worried that it may not even fit over the bolt completely since one edge got rounded a bit. Any tips? On the bright side, the oil change and transmission fluid change went well. Of course not everything can go as planned...

 

You should be fine, but don't do anything until you get a 23mm box end wrench, it should be long enough to get the necessary torque on the bolt. When you get it fit onto the bolt give it a good quick snap to break it loose, do not tug slowly on it. You may want to order a replacement fill bolt for future use.

FYI, a 23mm socket doesn't work so well unless you can get a very thin and long ratchet to use with it. A long 23mm box end wrench is the way to go though.

 

Thank you sir. I meant to also ask if anyone has the part number for the fill bolt. Also do you have any input on the broken "fins"? I feel like as long as the diff itself isn't cracked or leaking I will be fine.

 

When I said you would be fine I was referring to the broken cooling fin, no harm in a broken fin as it shouldn't be deep enough to penetrate the casing.

Get a fill bolt from your local dealer if you want it quickly, or check majestichonda.com on-line catalogue. One thing I was considering doing was using a drain bolt as the fill bolt since it is magnetized, that way I would have two magnetized bolts, but that would require me finding a 24 mm box end wrench. I think I'll stick with the oem setup and just keep using a 23mm box end wrench. 23mm wrenches are easy to find in my parts, but we have a lot metric tools in our country, any auto parts store has them up here. Good luck getting it all buttoned up.

 

My Bad..Part number 22 for fill 90082PCZ003

http://www.hondapartsunlimited.com/h...part_name=plug

Good Luck!

 

Awesome thank you guys for the help! Just ordered a new fill bolt. I'm going to get a 23mm wrench as well either online or maybe at another store. Do you guys recommend a normal 6 point or 12 point since the bolt is slightly rounded? Then I will put a pipe or something over it for more leverage and hope it breaks free.

 

…or just buy a second magnetic Diff bolt and put it in the fill hole so you use the same size wrench/socket for both. Plus you get a second magnetic pick up.

thanks to billman for that suggestion years ago.

darcy

 

A tip that someone told me - when doing trans or diff changes, take the FILL bolt off FIRST. that way you know you won't have any issues with it once the old fluid has been drained

 

If you can use a 6 point, those are better at preserving the bolt.

 

^Always. The Diff service is almost foolproof if you have the right tools, almost every issue I've seen has resulted from the use of improper tools, a lot of people assume that the fill bolt is the same size as the drain bolt but it isn't - 1 mm difference, hence the stripped bolt scenario.