I posted this in another forum, but maybe it would be better here.
Ok I have 2002 450S.

Has anyone ever had or heard of bolts loosening off and coming out of the spider gears, internally exploding outercase? Seems to me to be a factory defect. But if not, what could possibly cause this?
Never been apart from factory. Only 1400km.

Thanks.

 

Nope, never heard of that before. I had mine all apart when I installed my locker and all the bolts had locktite on them.

 

That's the thing. One would have assumed that locktite would have been on. But no signs of it on mine. I took it into the Honda dealer today and Honda will be replacing the diff. I will only have to pay for the labour. Honda nor the dealer had ever heard of this happening...so it seems to be a factory defect. I am glad as the diff is $650.
Thanks for your reply