Special Tools Required

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Acura MDX, 2012 Acura MDX, 2011 Acura MDX, and 2010 Acura MDX. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Driver Handle, 15 x 135L 07749-0010000
Attachment, 83 mm 07HAD-SG00100
Preload Inspection Tool 070AJ-0020101

NOTE: If the transmission housing, the torque converter housing, the differential carrier, the tapered roller bearing, the bearing outer race, or the thrust shim were replaced, the bearing preload must be adjusted.

Remove the bearing outer race (A), the spacer (B), and the 85 mm thrust shim (C) from the transmission housing (D) by heating the transmission housing to about 212°F (100°C) with a heat gun (E). Do not heat the transmission housing more than 212°F (100°C).
NOTE: Let the transmission housing cool to room temperature before adjusting the bearing preload.

Fig 1: Heating Transmission Housing With Heat Gun
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Replace the tapered roller bearing when the bearing outer race is to be replaced.
Do not use an 85 mm shim on the torque converter housing side.
Install the 85 mm thrust shim (A) in the transmission housing (B). If you replace the 85 mm thrust shim with a new one, use the same thickness shim as the old one.

Fig 2: Locating 85 mm Thrust Shim, Transmission Housing, Spacer, Spacer Tab, Guide And Bearing Outer Race
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the spacer (C) in the transmission housing with the spacer tab (D) into the guide (E), then install the bearing outer race (F).
Drive the bearing outer race securely in the transmission housing using the 15 x 135L driver handle and the 83 mm attachment so there is no clearance between the bearing outer race, the spacer, the 85 mm thrust shim, and the transmission housing.

Fig 3: Driving Bearing Outer Race Securely In Transmission Housing Using 15 x 135L Driver Handle And 83 mm Attachment
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the differential assembly (A) in the torque converter housing (B), and install a new gasket (D) and the two dowel pins (E) on the torque converter housing.

Fig 4: Locating Differential Assembly, Torque Converter Housing, Gasket And Dowel Pins With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the transmission housing (F), and install the mounting bolts (30 bolts) with transmission hanger C, then tighten the bolts.
Rotate the differential assembly in both directions to seat the bearings.
Measure the starting torque of the differential assembly with the preload inspection tool, a torque wrench (A), and a socket (B). Measure the starting torque at normal room temperature in both directions.
Standard

New bearings:

3.9-5.6 Nm (40-57 kgf.cm, 35-50 lbf.in)

Reused bearings:

3.6-5.3 Nm (37-54 kgf.cm, 32-47 lbf.in)

Fig 5: Measuring Starting Torque Of Differential Assembly With Preload Inspection Tool, Torque Wrench And Socket
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
If the measurement is out of the standard, remove the 85 mm thrust shim and measure its thickness.

Select a new 85 mm thrust shim. To increase the starting torque, increase thickness of the 85 mm thrust shim. To decrease the starting torque, decrease the thickness of the 85 mm thrust shim. Changing the 85 mm shim to the next size will increase or decrease the starting torque about 0.5-0.6 N.m (5-6 kgf.cm, 4-5 lbf.in).

THRUST SHIM, 85 MM

No.	Thickness
A	1.350 mm (0.0531 in)
B	1.375 mm (0.0541 in)
C	1.400 mm (0.0551 in)
D	1.425 mm (0.0561 in)
E	1.450 mm (0.0571 in)
F	1.475 mm (0.0581 in)
G	1.500 mm (0.0591 in)
H	1.525 mm (0.0600 in)
I	1.550 mm (0.0610 in)
J	1.575 mm (0.0620 in)
K	1.600 mm (0.0630 in)
L	1.625 mm (0.0640 in)
M	1.650 mm (0.0650 in)
N	1.675 mm (0.0659 in)
O	1.700 mm (0.0669 in)
P	1.725 mm (0.0679 in)
Q	1.750 mm (0.0689 in)
R	1.775 mm (0.0699 in)
S	1.800 mm (0.0709 in)
T	1.825 mm (0.0719 in)
U	1.850 mm (0.0728 in)
V	1.875 mm (0.0738 in)
W	1.900 mm (0.0748 in)
X	1.925 mm (0.0758 in)
Y	1.950 mm (0.0768 in)
Z	1.975 mm (0.0778 in)
AA	2.000 mm (0.0787 in)
AB	2.025 mm (0.0797 in)
AC	2.050 mm (0.0807 in)
AD	2.075 mm (0.0817 in)
AE	2.100 mm (0.0827 in)
AF	2.125 mm (0.0837 in)
AG	2.150 mm (0.0846 in)
AH	2.175 mm (0.0856 in)
AI	2.200 mm (0.0866 in)
AJ	2.225 mm (0.0876 in)
AK	2.250 mm (0.0886 in)
AL	2.275 mm (0.0896 in)
AM	2.300 mm (0.0906 in)
AN	2.325 mm (0.0915 in)
AO	2.350 mm (0.0925 in)
AP	1.250 mm (0.0492 in)
AQ	1.275 mm (0.0502 in)
AR	1.300 mm (0.0512 in)
AS	1.325 mm (0.0522 in)

Install a new thrust shim, then recheck the starting torque.