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So to start off I would like a list of some tools needed to rebuild your differential. Name them, pictures if you'd like even part numbers. I am going to try to make a comprehensive DIY as in depth as possible. I'm tackling my diff with pretty much no knowledge of what I'm doing, other than being a mechanic for 11 years. I've never rebuilt a diff though. (I worked in preventative maintenance, high performance engines and fab stuff) Help me and your fellow members out. I'm going to check the honda manual to see what it tells me. If you know of something better post up! Thanks in advance Shock
The Honda manual will give you a list of tools needed to do the job but, I made a few of mine as did Spitfire, another member here that has done his own rebuild too
The hardest part of the job is removing and installing the bearing under the pinion head it is pressed on so tight that you are better off cutting off the old one and going from there
A little trick to installing the new one is to freeze the pinion over night in your freezer and worming up the bearing. They will go together a lot easer this way
PM me if you have any other questions. ive built 6 s2k diffs, and countless others. the richmond website has some real nice pics of what correct gear contact should look like. buy a tube of prussian blue from napa. thats the gear paint you will need to check for tooth contact. you will also need an inch lb trq wrench, to check rotating torque, and a push pull trq wrench for setup. youll see on the honda directions.
also, set it at .003" yeah, thats 3 thousands of an inch. thats the correct lash. ive seen people on here say .006, wrong. too loose. also buy a new distance collar. and definitely heat the bearing to slide it on. lates dave
Richmond specs the BL (= Backlash) and CD (= Checking Distance) on every set they produce.
They also engarve the serial # (so you know you have a SET)
The correct BL for my 4.57-R set was/is 0.010" = 0.254mm.
No question or argument about it
I can't speak for different gears.
I would not change the Torsen LSD bearings again, especially not on low milage diffs.
Those bearings are very hard to remove from the Torsen housing.
Mine looked good (120000 km), but I allready bought new ones AND I had the tools to do it.
Also the Richmond Spec for back lash is .008-.010, Do NOT use the OEM spec of .003! Only use that Spec on the 4.10 gears from Honda. Never on the Richmond gears.
10-10-2007, 06:03 PM
Tools of the trade
it is pressed on so tight that you are better off cutting off the old one and going from there 
