dsmdriver

iTrader: (3)

I did mine over the weekend. A few notes:

I was able to do my diff without jacking the car at all. The drain is easy to get to, the fill isn't much harder although you have to do it by feel. As mentioned, the diff fill is 23mm, and a deep socket won't fit. A normal 1/2" drive socket with a 1/2 wrench barley fit for me, but it did work. The rear lower suspension cross-brace is right behind the diff, really limiting access.

I did fill my tranny through the shifter hole, with the shifter out. Oil came out of the fill hole when I did this, so I assume it went in the right place. This was really easy! Just put a funnel in the shifter hole and dump a quart in.

Because I did it this way, I jacked up the car, pulled the fill plug on the tranny and then the drain plug. Lowered the car while it was draining. Waited a few minutes, then reached under the car and put the fill plug back in, which you can do with the car on the ground if your arms are a reasonable length. Went in the car, dumped the two quarts in and just let the extra .2Qt flow out the fill hole, since you can't see the drain when you are in the car. Jacked up the driver's side and put the fill plug back in.

By doing it this way, the car is totally level when you fill the diff and tranny, and you only need one jack and one jackstand to do the whole thing. It went pretty quick and I didn't really spill much at all.

Also for anyone wondering: all of the crush washers are the same diameter, 18mm. They are different thicknesses and materials, but if you just want to pick up random ones from the local auto parts place, 18mm will work.

gonnahanvan8

DsmDriver, How did you fill the Diff?

modena

The correct "Tool" for the job makes it so much easier

Pump and empty milk jug will fill the Transmission & Differential faster then it can drain!

Go48

How about providing the information on the pump and where you bought it? TIA

modena

Advance Auto Parts, 6.36$

(Their part # is 9016678)

Sta-Lube Fluid Oil Pump SL 4344

gonnahanvan8

Looks like a PIA compared to the gravity method?

Go48

I have used just about every method that has been described on the forum and a small qt-sized hand pump worked best for me. A gallon-sized pump as described by Modena would be much better.

Tried the gravity flow technique and had a steady drip out of the fill hole. When the fluid flowed in the tube--which was not continuous--fluid would run back out on the bottom surface of the tubing and drip on the floor.

modena

Honestly, the pump did not spill one drop on the floor or my hands...
Poured the Redline fluids in the clean and dry Milk gallon container, stuck the end part of the pump, in the diff or transmission, (it has a clip on it that stops it from falling out) and screwed the pump in the gallon jug.
Pump till it started dripping, takes about 2 minutes maybe less and released the end part of the pump. Screwed the fill bolt back in with new washer.
Done.

Going to do it again next week with my buddies RX-8 can do a better picture session or video clip.. Let me know and I will make it so

Go48

Yeah, I noticed the little gizmo on the tip of the hose and figured that's what it was for. Unfortunately, I have done all 3 of my cars recently with a qt-sized hand pump so I won't be doing that again for some time, but I will definitely pick up one of the pumps anyway.

I guess a few more pics with the pump setup ready to go and attached to the tranny/diff might be worth adding to the thread, but I'm not sure it's necessary since it's a pretty straighforward operation.

rx8atlast

I used a pump that looks identical to the one in Modena's picture. I got mine at Pepboys for $8.

Go48

Possibly the same pump. The Advance Auto one is made by CRC. I picked one up today and when I took it out of the bag the clip on the tip of the hose was broken. And I even looked it over closely before I bought it. Not closely enough I guess. Sheeeesh!

yamajj

i have everything to do the tranny/diff fluid change except the crush washers. (i'm **** about things like this, so i'm replacing them) i looked all over tulsa for red line fluids with no success, so i'm going with royal purple. it should be a much better change than the factory "fish oil." i'll let you know how it goes when i'm able.

yamajj

trustbuddy

iTrader: (3)

if i want to use royal purple, which mt fluid would i be using? they seem to have only one kind...which is...
Synchromax Manual Transmission Fluid (831-01512)

i'm assuming for the differential i'll be using the Max-Gear Oil 75W-90 (831-01300)

would i be alright using the royal purple syncromax mt fluid in the rx8?

mysql101

I recently upgraded from redline to royal purple. The transmission shifts when cold just like it's already warmed up. Definately a step up for the RX-8.

trustbuddy

iTrader: (3)

so it is safe to use royal purple Synchromax Manual Transmission Fluid (831-01512) with the rx8 tranny along with the the Max-Gear Oil 75W-90 (831-01300)???
kinda glad to know i'm not the only one wanting to use RP...let me know. thanks.

yamajj

trustbuddy: the fluids you listed were the same ones i used. it's pretty kewl to find out they actually color their fluids purple.

i finished the fluid change friday night. overall, i'm glad i did it because it is something i can do on my free time and keeps the dealer from getting $200+ of my money. i have noticed easier shifts and less noise. doing it also gave me an insight of thinking of better ways to do it next time. (yea, i know it's not for a long time) i improvised my can into an "i.v." type setup, thnx to royal purple's bottle design having a tip you can snip then put in a rubber hose for delivery.

thnx and props to this thread for instructions on how to do it.

yamajj

ps: i did replace all crush washers and noticed the tranny washers were a bit thicker and all washers were silver. the stock differential fill bolt washer was copper though.

trustbuddy

iTrader: (3)

thank for the reply. just ordered the fluids. will change them asap.

mysql101

i used the same RP fluid in both transmission and diff. I belive it was the max gear fluid.

Big_Mike_4488

Just had this done a few weeks ago. After about 700 miles, the shifting is a little bit easier. First to second, which was always my biggest problem takes a little less effort, but is still a little notchy. 3rd to 4th is the same. Overall, the shifting is a little smoother, and I would recommend this service to others. Just don't expect a completely different driving experience. The differences are subtle.

EDIT: I used RedLine MT-90 T.F. and 75W90 D.F.

rotaryfan04

Where can i get Redline mt90 and 75w90 at. Advanced auto cant get it and Oriellys said it takes for ever to get in. any tips would be helpfull thanks.

Go48

You can order it from the OG Racing web site. Of course, you will have to pay shipping.

Big_Mike_4488

I ordered it from Rosenthal Mazda online. The fluids were like $9 each, you will need 4 bottles. The shipping was a few bucks but pretty insignificant since you are already buying fluids and taking the time to change them. I would recommend Rosenthal Mazda just because you can also order the replacement crush washers you will need for the Tranny and Differential Drain and Fill plugs.

jdzoom8

When I replaced my manual transmission fluid with Redline I was unable to get the 1.8Qts to flow out the fill plug. I am not sure if my car was slightly unlevel or what, but it was definitely pretty darn close. I had the front of my car up on ramps and the back up on jack stands. I ended up putting in all 2.0 qts I purchased, maybe spilled or lost about 0.1 qts in the process. Not sure why it didn't overfill, but I went with the specs of 1.8 qts. Did anyone else have this problem?

mysql101

Didn't have this problem. In fact we had left overs after swapping fluids - 4 quarts total.

jdzoom8

I used 1.4 qts in the rear diff (Redline 75W90) and 1.8 qts in the manual transmission ( Redline MT-90). Did you use the same oil in both the rear diff and manual transmission?