So Fix it

Wipe any grease and other debris off the gear casing with a rag to ensure you can see all of its features clearly.

Count to make sure there are 10 bolts arranged equally around the outer perimeter of the gear casing, similar to the numbers on a clock.

Locate two lugs, or ears, extending out from the bottom of the gear casing approximately in the 4 oclock and 8 oclock position. This will firmly identify the unit as having come with Positraction from the factory.

Measure the gear casing horizontally, end to end, across its widest point. The measurement will be either 10 5/8 (10.625) inches or 11 inches, depending on the year it was made.

Look for a bulge running vertically down the center of the gear casing. Most of the 10-inch units youre looking for will have this.

Place your 1.25-inch socket over the pinion nut. If it fits, its the 10-bolt, 8.5-inch unit.

Inspect the entire gear case and center section thoroughly to make sure there are no cracks or other damage that might compromise the units integrity.

Disconnect the front bumper from the lock carrier with a socket wrench. Remove any electrical wiring needed to move the lock carrier into the service position. Disconnect the quick-release screws from the front insulation panel. Then, remove the air guide between the air filter and lock carrier. Release the retaining clamps that attach the wiring harness to the left radiator frame.

Remove the No. 2 mounting bolts from the lock carrier with a socket wrench and support it with Support 3369. Remove the remaining mounting bolts from the lock carrier and pull the lock carrier out as far as it will go. Fasten 6 mm bolts to the lock carrier and fender to secure the lock carrier in place.

Disconnect the cable from the negative battery terminal to ensure the engine doesnt start while you are removing the cylinder head gasket. Detach the cooling fan drive belt from its pulleys and remove the cooling fan from the engine.

Drain the coolant from the radiator into a container and store for later use. Disconnect the intake manifold from the engine with a socket wrench. Detach the accessory drive belts from their pulleys.

Remove the regulator valves for the wastegate bypass and the evaporative emissions canister from the engine with a socket wrench. Detach the mass airflow sensor from the engine.

Disconnect the housing for the air cleaner with a socket wrench. Detach the wiring harnesses for the engine-coolant temperature sensor and any other electrical components needed to access the cylinder head. Detach the breather line from the crankcase.

Remove the fuel lines and oil line from the cylinder head. Disconnect the heat shield and turbocharger from the exhaust manifold with a socket wrench. Detach the coolant hose from the rear of the cylinder head.

Detach the upper cover for the timing belt with a socket wrench. Turn the crankshaft clockwise to align the timing mark on the crankshaft with the top dead center mark on the crankcase. Loosen the Torx bolt on the timing belt tensioner with a T45 Torx wrench and push the tensioner down to relieve the tension on the timing belt.

Remove the timing belt from the gear of the camshaft, and remove the Torx bolt from the timing belt tensioner with the T45 Torx wrench. Rotate the bracket for the timing belt tensioner forward to access the valve cover and then remove the valve cover with a socket wrench.

Disconnect the mounting bolts for the cylinder head with a socket wrench. Lift the cylinder head from the engine block and remove the gasket from the engine block. Clean the remaining traces of gasket material from the cylinder head and engine block with a gasket scraper. Clean the bolt holes on the cylinder head with a shop cloth and blow them dry with compressed air.

Open the trunk of your RX-8 and locate the trim panels on the inside of the trunk over the taillight assembly. Locate the plastic retainers that hold the trim in place, grasp the center of the retainer with a pair of pliers, and pull it straight out.

Pull the plastic trim panel away from the trunk sidewalls and lay it aside. Locate the bulb sockets on the backside of the taillight assembly. Rotate them counterclockwise and remove the sockets from the taillight assembly.

Remove the retaining nuts on the backside of the taillight assembly with a socket and ratchet. Pull the taillight assembly out of the rear of the car. Repeat the process to remove the second taillight if required.