When I shift, there is an occasional clunk after I let the clutch out. I've narrowed it down to either the drive shaft or the differential. What are the chances of this problem being either of those mentioned?

 

Chances for either is good especially in a 17 year old car but if the sound comes from behind the transmission, I would probably suspect the differential first. If the drive shaft was going it would probably give you more of a rythmic knock.. knock... knock sound instead. Put the car in first gear then jack up the rear to test and get a feel for the play in the drive train.

 

Okay, I'll do that..thanks. I do hear it coming from the rear of the car and sometimes when the RPMs are below 2k, maybe at about 1300, it does make a rhythmic knocking, although not when in first gear. I bet this is going to be quite expensive to fix.

 

if you end up needing a new driveshaft it's not too bad, you can get an aftermarket one (with replacable u-joints) from Mazdatrix for $242 plus shipping and it's an easy install (OEM driveshafts are around $350, non servicable u-joints)

either way, the sooner you figure out what the problem is the better... u-joint failure at speed can't be too fun, especially if it's the front one


drew
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smackfu.net

 

Yeah, I'll bet having the car do a flip in the air would not be too cool.

 

If you still have your cat it should land on all 4's if fliped.
But pull the driveshaft and check the ujoints real good. Have same noise with mine and found ujoint shot. Not loose but binding and made a click. Still waiting on a shaft now. So when I put the old one back in and new fluid in the rear-end that clunk was not as noticeable as before from shifting. Still has the other noise but it looks like driveshaft only and not rearend. But the driveshaft for sure.

 

Okay. I think the rear end fluid in mine is from the factory, so it's 17 years old. I think it's time for a change.