got my rear end rebuilt. ended up taking the gear box to local honda shop to get the lock nut removed. they removed the lock nut and the rest of what was left in the casing for me except the needle bearing housing. they said the needle bearing was damaged and couldn't remove it and according to the manual the whole case needed to be replaced. so for about $800 and change they would order one!! i said thanks but i would have to think about it and offered to pay them for removing the lock nut and they said " no charge". i took the case home and was thinking how to remove this needle bearing housing and tried welding a bolt to the casing but the bolt broke off when i tried twisting the housing. then i hammered a blunt piece of steel into the housing and twised the housing and it popped right out along with the wire that was wrapped around it. cleaned everything up and put the gear box back together. i'm almost back together, just waiting for a seal and bearing for the brake panel to arrive and then it's back into the water!!!!!!!!!!! thanks for the help - dana

 

I just wondering what did you torqe the crankcase bolts down to when you reassembled your rearend, because im going thru the same process as you?

 

til they felt pretty snug, i saw they had loc-tite on them when i took them apart. i'll just keep an eye on the bolts but i don't think any of them are going any where. rebuilt the whole rear end for about 75 bucks and some time. no rear braks because the brake panel is damaged so i just sealed up the brake drum. later -dana