I know the u-joints are bad on my 83 and I ordered a set from a local parts house. The caps are too large. I took them back and they pulled out the books...not one measured the same as the original I have in hand. I called Napa even...they can't get them. I haven't called Mazda, but I did call Black Dragon Auto. Long story short...After much fighting I managed to remove the old ones just to find out that I can't find replacements. Can anyone help me here? My baby is sitting up just when we were starting to have fun again... BTW the caps measured in at .867

 

Mazdatrix states that the OEM u-joints are non-replaceable....Oh joy!!! I don't have 200-400 bucks laying around! I'm gonna check the WTS ads and after that...on to the salvage yards...

 

Check with your local driveshaft shop and see what they can do 1st. There are 2 different diff flanges on the 83 model, make sure the replacement one matches.

 

I think I know what you mean. I removed the 1982 driveshaft from the donor car to put on the 1983 temporarily...the bolt holes didn't match up. Is that what you mean by flange? Is there a way to swap those out fairly painlessly? It may be the way to get her on the road soon without having to cough up $ I don't have...

 

Did I mention that I feel really stupid?? I don't want to swap out the entire diff...just the flange...Is it possible?

 

To change the flange, you need to take the flange nut off, that upsets the pre-load on the gears and you should replace the crush tube while resetting the diff, it's not worth it. If the 82 flange didn't fit, then you need the bigger one from 83.5-85

if you have a good gear set, it's safer to swap the diff unit than it is to change the flange.

 

Okay...let you know how it goes if I don't find a driveshaft....argghhhhh! Thanks for the info!

 

kymber39845,

I also have an '83. In my haste and ignorance to fix a serious "chatter" when I let out the clutch, I bought and installed a brand new driveshaft. That wasn't the problem. My brand new clutch disc got "toasted", as they say. I replaced the disc and all is well.

So that leaves me with what I believe is a perfectly good used driveshaft.

If you want it, just pay shipping or pick it up. I'm not too far from you (just outside Montgomery, Alabama).

No guarantees, but it's free...

Let me know,

DD

 

I pm'd ya! Free is good, especially if I can pick it up!

 

PM'd ya back. Come on up!

 

DD is a good guy. If I ever happen to be in the Montgomery Al area, I'll hafta buy him the beverage of his choice.

 

I'd love to meet him...too bad we can't all meet up for a "beverage". LOL I think I owe him one, too

 

Hey you two, knock it off before my lovely wife (she's behind me, isn't she) gets jealous.

I'm going to Vegas next month for a week...that's as good as anyplace for everyone to meet for drinks!

DD

 

Wish I could...I love Vegas!!! I went once and met up with a bunch of people there. Husband didn't go...apparently he's afraid to fly...I said "Sorry, but...bye, bye now!....LOL I had a blast! (I was with family so I was good...mostly...LOL)