Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Differential Assembly: Installation
2004 Acura 3.5RLSECTION Installation
- Install differential assembly. Ensure upper mounting bolt is installed on differential assembly, as bolt must be installed before installing differential assembly. See Figure.
- Using feeler gauge, measure clearance between differential case and torque converter housing at shim location. See Fig 1.
- Select a shim equal to measured dimension. Shims are available in .004" (.10 mm) increments ranging from .074-.118" (1.9-3.0 mm). Remove differential assembly.
- Ensure upper mounting bolt is installed on differential assembly. Bolt must be installed before installing differential assembly. See Figure. Install differential assembly using NEW "O" ring on end of tube at oil pan.
- Install shim and differential assembly mounting bolts. Tighten differential assembly mounting bolt at shim area first. Tighten all differential assembly mounting bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
- Install mount brackets and remove chain hoist. Install lower engine mount stop bolts. Apply high-temperature grease on splines on extension shaft. Install NEW set ring on end of extension shaft so ends of set ring are at 12 o'clock position.
- Using Extension Shaft Installer (07MAF-PY40100), install extension shaft. See Fig 2. Ensure extension shaft locks into secondary gear. Fill cavity on secondary gear around extension shaft with high-temperature grease.
- Install NEW "O" ring into grove of sealing bolt. Install and tighten sealing bolt to specification.
- Install breather tube in clamp and install right exhaust manifold cover. Install power steering pump. Install air cleaner housing. Using NEW "O" ring, install speed sensor assembly. Install and tighten speed sensor assembly bolt to specification. Reconnect speed sensor assembly connector.
- Install lower plate. Install and tighten lower plate and steering gear bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
- Install axle shafts and intermediate shaft. See appropriate AXLE SHAFTS article in DRIVELINE/AXLES.
- Fill differential assembly with 80W-90 (API GL5) hypoid gear oil. Use NEW seal washer when installing differential assembly oil filler plug. Tighten differential assembly oil filler plug to specification. Install splash shield.
- Reconnect negative battery cable. To enter radio anti-theft code, turn ignition and radio on. When CODE is displayed on radio, re-enter anti-theft code by using radio station preset buttons.
RENDER: 1.0x
NO RELATED
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.