Side Case Replacement

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.

Remove the rear differential (see REAR DIFFERENTIAL REMOVAL ).
Remove the rear differential front mounting brackets (A) from the rear differential (B).

Fig 1: Identifying Rear Differential Front Mounting Brackets And Rear Differential
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Remove the rear differential fluid temperature sensor cover (A), the rear differential fluid temperature sensor (B), the O-ring (C).

Fig 2: Identifying Rear Differential Fluid Temperature Sensor And Cover
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Remove rear differential harness bracket D.
Remove the rear differential left side case (A) or the rear differential right side case (D), and the 10x12 mm dowel pins (E) from the rear differential center case (F).

Fig 3: Identifying Dowel Pins, Differential Harness Bracket, Rear Differential Left And Right Side Case
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Remove rear differential harness bracket B and rear differential harness bracket C.
Replace the rear differential left side case or the rear differential right side case.
Remove the ring gear (A), the needle bearing (B), and the 60.2 mm shim (C) from the rear differential side case (D).

Fig 4: Identifying Ring Gear, Needle Bearing, Shim And Rear Differential Side Case
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Measure the distance (1) between the end of the rear differential side case (A) and the 60.2 mm shim contact area (B) of the planetary gear with a straight edge (C) and a depth gauge (D). Measure at three locations, and average the reading.
NOTE:
- Carry out the measurement at normal room temperature.
- Clean the parts thoroughly before measure.
Fig 5: Measuring Distance Between End Of Rear Differential Side Case And Shim Contact Area Of Planetary Gear
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Measure the distance © between the end of the rear differential center case (A) and the ring gear contact area (B) of taper roller bearing with a straight edge (C) and a depth gauge (D). Measure at three locations, and average the reading.
NOTE:
- Carry out the measurement at normal room temperature.
- Clean the parts thoroughly before measure.
Fig 6: Measuring Distance Between End Of Rear Differential Center Case And Ring Gear Contact Area Of Taper Roller Bearing
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Measure the distance (D between the needle bearing (A) and the taper roller bearing contact area (B) of ring gear with a depth gauge (C). Measure at three locations, and average the reading.
NOTE:
- Carry out the measurement at normal room temperature.
- Clean the parts thoroughly before measure.
Fig 7: Measuring Distance Between Needle Bearing And Taper Roller Bearing Contact Area Of Ring Gear
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Shim Selection Formula

Select the proper 60.2 mm shim from the table. Follow the example below, and use the measurements you made in step 9 to 11.

(Basic Formula)

(1) +(2) - (3) + 0.19) = shim thickness 0.19 mm (0.007 in): middle of the standard clearance.

Standard Clearance:

0.14-0.24 mm (0.006-0.009 in)

(For example)

(1) = 6.12 mm (0.241 in)

(2) = 15.3 mm (0.602 in)

(3) = 19.56 mm (0.770 in)

6.12 + 15.3 - (19.56 + 0.19) = 1.67 mm

Select the 1.60 mm shim from the table.

60.2 MM SHIM

No.	Thickness
A	1.10 mm (0.043 in)
B	1.20 mm (0.047 in)
C	1.30 mm (0.051 in)
D	1.40 mm (0.055 in)
E	1.50 mm (0.059 in)
F	1.60 mm (0.063 in)
G	1.70 mm (0.067 in)
H	1.80 mm (0.071 in)
I	1.90 mm (0.075 in)
J	2.00 mm (0.079 in)
K	2.10 mm (0.083 in)
L	2.20 mm (0.087 in)

Place one strip of plastigage (A) on the 60.2 mm shim contact area (B) of planetary gear. Install the 60.2 mm shim (C), the needle bearing (D), and the ring gear (E). Measure at three locations as shown.
NOTE:
- Carry out the measurement at normal room temperature.
- Clean the parts thoroughly before measure.
Fig 8: Placing Strip Of Plastigage On Shim Contact
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the 10 x 12 mm dowel pins (A), the rear differential right side case (B) or the rear differential left side case (C), and the mounting bolts (D) onto the rear differential center case (E).

Fig 9: Dowel Pins, Mounting Bolts, Rear Differential Left And Right Side Case With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Tighten the mounting bolts in a crisscross pattern in several steps, then tighten the bolts to the specified torque.
Remove the rear differential left side case (A) or the rear differential right side case (B), and the 10 x 12 mm dowel pins (C) from the rear differential center case (D).

Fig 10: Identifying Dowel Pins, Rear Differential Left And Right Side Case
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Remove the ring gear (A), the needle bearing (B), and the 60.2 mm shim (C) from the rear differential side case (D).

Fig 11: Identifying Ring Gear, Needle Bearing, Shim And Rear Differential Side Case
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Measure the widest part of the plastigage.
Measure at three locations, and average the reading.
- If the clearance exceeds the standard, go to step 9.
- If the clearance is within standard, go to step 19.
Standard Clearance:

0.14-0.24 mm (0.006-0.009 in)

Fig 12: Measuring Widest Part Of Plastigage
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the 60.2 mm shim (A), the needle bearing (B), and the ring gear (C) onto the rear differential side case (D).

Fig 13: Identifying Shim, Needle Bearing, Ring Gear And Rear Differential Side Case
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Remove the dirt and oil from the sealing surfaces. Apply liquid gasket (P/N 08717-0004, 08718-0001, 08718-0003, 08718-0004, or 08718-0009) to the sealing surface. Make sure you seal up to the inside edge of the bolt holes to prevent oil leakage.
NOTE:
- You must assemble the housings within 5 minutes after applying the liquid gasket. If not, the sealing surface must be cleaned, and the liquid gasket reapplied.
- Allow the liquid gasket to cure at least 30 minutes after assembly before filling the differential with fluid.
Left side case/Right side case

Fig 14: Identifying Liquid Gasket Applying Area Onto Broken Line And Around Bolt Holes
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the 10x12 mm dowel pins (A), the rear differential right side case (D) or the rear differential left side case (E), and the mounting bolts (F) onto the rear differential center case (G).

Fig 15: Rear Differential Assembly With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install rear differential harness bracket B and rear differential harness bracket C.
Tighten the mounting bolts in a crisscross pattern in several steps, then tighten the bolts to the specified torque.
Install rear differential harness bracket D.

Fig 16: Rear Differential Fluid Temperature Sensor With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the rear differential fluid temperature sensor (A) with a new O-ring (B), and the rear differential fluid temperature sensor cover (C).
Temporarily install the rear differential front mounting brackets (A) with new bolts (B) on the rear differential (C).

Fig 17: Identifying Rear Differential Front Mounting Brackets
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the rear differential (see REAR DIFFERENTIAL INSTALLATION ).
Do the SH-AWD differential clutch torque memorization (see SH-AWD® DIFFERENTIAL CLUTCH TORQUE MEMORIZATION ).