Crush Washers...Can it be substituted?
#1
Registered
Thread Starter
Crush Washers...Can it be substituted?
So I just recently replaced my Tranny and Diff fluid...Just wondered in the future, Can i go buy washers in regular autoshops or i really have to use the OEM ones?
On that note I noticed that the Diff drain plug has copper washers, where as the rest of the tranny and even the diff fill had steel.
Can i substitute steel washers with copper in the future, does it even make a difference?
On that note I noticed that the Diff drain plug has copper washers, where as the rest of the tranny and even the diff fill had steel.
Can i substitute steel washers with copper in the future, does it even make a difference?
#3
Registered
With that said. If you don't know exactly what you're looking for then your generic auto parts store might not work entirely too well.
They don't usually have parts categorized by size and material but by the vehicle said part is supposed to fit on. I spent about an hour at NAPA while the guy opened up every single box of washers he had before we found one that was pretty close.
They don't usually have parts categorized by size and material but by the vehicle said part is supposed to fit on. I spent about an hour at NAPA while the guy opened up every single box of washers he had before we found one that was pretty close.
#4
///// Upscale Zoom-Zoom
Mazda dealers only carry what appears to be aluminum crush washers. I've purchase two sets (one set from one dealer) and another from another. All shiny silver. No copper ones any more. Copper and Aluminum do not mix (galvanic scale polar opposites = rust).
#5
Smoking turbo yay
If you know the parts guys at the dealerships well enough, they sometimes just give one to you for free. They don't really care too much about crush washers.
#6
Registered
Thread Starter
Well I saved the old ones now...so i have a reference next time when i go to regular shops LOL...Its funny you said about copper...one of the plugs for the Differential has a copper washer...but its the OEM one ...so im wonder why that specific one is copper?
#7
What am I doing here?
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: 2017 Miata RF Launch Edition
Posts: 3,606
Received 649 Likes
on
510 Posts
Is the diff housing aluminum or steel?
Aluminum will act as the sacrificial anode when paired with copper.
I don't know what steel will do.
Regardless, for the change interval of those fluids, I doubt galvanic corrosion will be a serious issue. Most of the washer is covered by the bolt or the housing. Galvanic corrosion won't happen without access to an oxidizer or salt bridge. The small amount of surface area exposed to either of those will probably not add significantly to the torque required to remove the bolt.
Aluminum will act as the sacrificial anode when paired with copper.
I don't know what steel will do.
Regardless, for the change interval of those fluids, I doubt galvanic corrosion will be a serious issue. Most of the washer is covered by the bolt or the housing. Galvanic corrosion won't happen without access to an oxidizer or salt bridge. The small amount of surface area exposed to either of those will probably not add significantly to the torque required to remove the bolt.
#8
I never worried about a metal washer; just put it back like it was with firm grip on wrench.
Do people use torque wrench on fluid plugs?
What to do about the crush washer when checking spark plugs?
That's OCD.
Do people use torque wrench on fluid plugs?
What to do about the crush washer when checking spark plugs?
That's OCD.
#9
Registered
Thread Starter
I did reuse the washer's for the diff...seems to be fine...
#10
Modulated Moderator
iTrader: (3)
If you have copper ones if you heat them up with a propane torch and let them cool off it softens them up again and you can re-use them
I've used the same ones on my tranny for years ad never had any leaks...but mostly because I was too lazy to go to the dealer to get new ones. I think they were about $1
![Wink](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/wink.gif)
I've used the same ones on my tranny for years ad never had any leaks...but mostly because I was too lazy to go to the dealer to get new ones. I think they were about $1
![Wink](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/wink.gif)
#11
Smoking turbo yay