Aftermarket u-joints
 

hey guys i was doing some research and found that rockford makes u-joints that can be used to replace the staked-in ones on the factory driveshaft. I searched it and found that a lot of you have been using these but I didn't see any reviews on them so I was wondering how they've worked out for you? is it a good deal or should i just buy the mazdatrix shaft? thanks

I tried to go this route when mine needed attention. Without a press, it was more difficult than I had hoped getting the oem staked-in u joints out. I ordered 2 at $30 apiece, and the front one went in great. However, I must have bent the 2 ears inward slightly on the rear of the driveshaft when hammering the old u joint out. I couldn't for the life of me get the last c-clip in its groove to hold the joint cap in. One more small tap with a hammer and I shattered the cap. I called Rockford and spent another $30, as I couldn't buy the cap itself. When that arrived, the cap went right in and looked like I had just enough room to slide the clip in. I tapped the clip with a hammer once and it split the cap. I threw the driveshaft in the trash and got a new one from mazdatrix.

The Rockford joints looked great, but they didn't work in my case. I'm sure if I would have used more careful methods of removing the old ones, I wouldn't have had an issue with using them. I have pictures somewhere that show my attempted install. I will try and dig them up and post them, as I'm not sure how much of what I said actually makes sense!

I paid a local drive shaft company about $120 I think to do mine. They disassembled it and then I powder coated it and took it back for them to assemble it. I haven't drivein the car with it in yet.

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/...ps92876533.jpg

Thanks! this helps a lot I think I'll try them out for a bit and see how they work. if I
don't like them I'll just get a shaft. I think its worth trying for only like $100