Vagitarian

Basically looking to swap in some nice new axles that dont click.

When I pull the old axle out of the trans, is it going to leak fluid all over me?

I was hoping I wouldnt have to drain it before hand but Ill do it if I have to, Ive just heard mixed reviews

Kohen

https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-civic-del-sol-1992-2000-1/faq-axle-replacement-tutorial-pics-382416/

redm3turbo

drain the pan....(roughly 3 quarts)
remove the axle....

I did one 2 months ago...not even a drop came out.

Vagitarian

Pan? what you talking about??

Im just curious if you DONT drain the trans fluid, jack the car up and pop the axle out of the tranny, is fluid going to spill out?

Axatax

YES.

You need to drain the transmission if you intend to remove the axles. The axles (contacting the seals) is precisely what holds the fluid in the transmission case.

mayfly

you can jack the car up on one side, pull the axle. then do it for the other. keep the oil to one side at a time.

Vagitarian

Does that honestly work?? I dont think my car has that much lean to it when I jack it up..

akelly17

why dont you just drain the damn oil then.. its easier than an oil change, its a 3/8 drive rachet on the passenger side of the trans right in front of the axle. then you fill the trans back up with fluid by taking out the vehicle speed sensor and pouring the oil in there while the axles are back in and the drain plug is back on.

low&slow

Lol

Vagitarian

Because I clearly dont WANT to remove the fluid if I dont have to

redm3turbo

^ Im afraid your going to have to drain the fluid. Pick up a 5 qt oil pan at walmart for 2 bucks. All you need is a 3/8 ratchet (No socket, just the wrench) and drain it. It takes all of 2 mins to drain.

While Im not sure your rationale behind not draining the trans fluid, I can tell you this. First and foremost you can reuse the fluid. (I personally would change it, especially since 3 quarts of fluid even from honda is under 20 bucks) I do understand if money is tight, just reuse what you drain out.
Secondly its going to be a lot less hassle/clean up/easier working conditions just to drain it, remove the axle and not even have to think about it. Trans fluid all over you/the driveway/your tools takes a LOT longer then the time it takes to just drain it.

It it was faster/easier/better to do it without draining the trans, Honda would do it that way. They dont-- they drain.

Also of note....on honda transmissions, you drain the fluid, thats it. It isnt a gasket to be replaced, no screens, no nothing. Its pull a plug out, wipe off the shavings, re-insert it....game over.

jbpnoman

You're removing the transmission fluid one way or the other. Might as well do it the clean way - drain and fill. Also, it never hurts to flush and replace fluids.

akelly17

^^^exactly. Cut enough corners you end up going in circles

cvcrcr99

Yes.. this works with my H22 swapped 99 Civic at least. I have had to change out axles and half shafts countless times looking for the proper set-up which would eliminate my axle bind issue.

mayfly

so did u do this already? takes 2 hours total. let us know what you do

Vagitarian

Yes I changed the axles WITHOUT draining the fluid, nothing spilled out at all

FU haters

axis11

You are low on oil then.

B18C5-EH2

I never saw it mentioned if this was a manual, or automatic transmission - it makes a difference.

If it is an auto then trans fluid will come out of the diff hole left by the removed axle ONLY if the trans is way over filled.

If it is a manual then fluid can come out if the transmission is properly filled, and especially if over filled. If the trans fluid level is low then it's possible for no fluid to come out, even if the vehicle is lifted equally/not at an angle.

If the manual trans has the proper amount of fluid then you can jack the car up more on the side of the axle being removed, swap the axle, and lose NO fluid.

It's important to understand how you even check manual trans fluid levels - you pull out the FILL plug and stick your finger in the hole. If fluid dribbles out of the fill plug, or if the fluid level is right there at the fill plug hole when you stick your finger in it, then the level is good.

This picture illustrates how the fill plug and the right axle diff hole are side by side/lined up, so if you pull an axle while the car is level, some fluid should barely dribble out just as if you were pulling the fill plug to check the fluid level in the first place.



Just wanted to post some in-depth info here.

If the OP didn't lose any fluid when he changed his axle then the reasons could be any of the following:

- It's an auto with proper fluid level

- It's a manual with low fluid level

- He jacked up the side of the car that he was working on more so in order to keep the fluid away from the diff hole while the axle was out