Cycloneranga

I first noticed a slight whine about a month ago, I changed the fluid in the diff, but the noise has just gotten progressively worse. The noise gets louder and more high pitched the faster I go. It doesn't make a difference if I'm in neutral, put my foot on the clutch or on the brake. The sound only increases and decreases based on my speed.

I have a few questions about this problem:
Could it be something besides the diff? (a bearing somewhere in the axle or hub)
What exactly causes the noise?
Am I going to have a catostrophic failure at somepoint?

90crvtec

Definitely sounds like your diff. What kind of fluid did you use?

If it really is the diff that is making this noise then there is obviously something damaged. If you keep driving on it then it WILL fail. Time to buy some 4.57s.

SpitfireS

Cycloneranga Posted on Jan 5 2007, 07:06 PM
Were there metal shavings on the magnetic drain plug?
If so, how much?
How did the old oil look and smell?
What new oil did you use and how much?

I would not drive the car anymore.
As mentioned by 90crvtec , if you keep driving it, it most likely will fail.

If you're going to "investigate" yourself, it is possible to look at the ring gear through the drain hole.
The wear patch should be smooth and shiny and NO teeth should be missing.

Succes!

Cycloneranga

There was a good amount of black but shimmery sludge on the magnet. The old oil was black and smelled burnt.
I put in a quart of GM synchromesh.
I'm pretty sure it is the diff, but I do have warranty. What exactly has technically gone wrong? What will need to be replaced?

F20_C

[QUOTE=Cycloneranga,Jan 6 2007, 01:39 PM] There was a good amount of black but shimmery sludge on the magnet. The old oil was black and smelled burnt.

S2kracka

Wrong fluid, you better hope that Honda doesn't figure out the wrong fluid was put in the rear diff or they won't be paying for the repair. If I were you, I'd put the correct fluid in there GL5 75W-90 or 90W and then take it in for warranty repair. The rear diff will either need to be rebuilt or replaced.

SpitfireS

GM synchromesh is the wrong fluid for the diff

Honda ONLY recommends SAE 90 GL-5.
Read your manual.
No exception for temperature.
Honda Marine has that type of oil (they use it in outboard motors in the drive shaft's hypoid gear setup) and that is SAE 90 GL-5.
LE-607 is another exact match.

In colder (arctic) climates it's ok to use 75W-90 or 80W-90 as long as it is GL-5.
Many use that type of oil in wamer climates too and with good results.
(but I wouldn't)

But.. in your case NO OIL in the world will fix your problem
Most likely the teeth surfaces are damaged and the extra shavings form those teeth may have damaged the bearings and the Torsen unit.

Succes.

Cycloneranga

I'm sorry I forgot what was what. I did the transmission and differential at the same time. I DID use Mobil1 gear oil for the diff, synchromesh for the transmission. My bad.
Anyways, if the oil had gone for a long time without being changed and everything you said got damaged, I'm assuming everything will have to be replaced, or just some of it?

SpitfireS

Under warranty I guess, I think they will replace the unit (the whole diff).
Your car is a MY02 so beware that later MY diffs (from MY03-now IIRC) have a different propshaft companion flange.

How long did you drive around with the oil before you changed it?

Widebodys2k

mine is doing the same thing diff fluid was changed by honda about 2 years ago, witch was only 10k miles, but i do have 510whp