so, I've got this interesting squeaking or something to that effect coming from either the u-joint on the tranny side of the drive shaft, or the tranny itself. It only happens while I'm in gear, doesn't matter if clutch is in or not, and also only while decellerating or not under load. Second it's underload, no noise, off the gas and it's back. Anybody have suspicons as to what's going on?

 

Sounds like the description I gave when my U-Joints were going out. I was thinking it was my U-Joints, about a week or so later, my driveline dropped.

~T.J.

 

prehaps it'd be worthwhile picking up two then eh

 

heh... the guy at lordco says you can't just get u-joints, they're some sort of non-replaceable setup, where you need a whole new driveshaft.. wtf..

I'm gonna jack up the car and check'em out.

 

what a stupid design, why on earth would they choose to WELD the u-joints to the driveshaft?! mazda = handycapped.

 

the shafts wear around the uni joint wheich is why they are made non-replacable.

if yours are welded on someone has already replaced them and welded them in due to sloppy/worn holes in the yokes.

 

Just get the aftermarket driveshaft from Mazdatrix. Not all that expensive (considering) and it has replacable u-joints so, in the future, it'll be easier.

 

The factory U-joints are staked in place on '83-up models. They're not welded from the factory.

This is SOP for Japanese cars since roughly that timeframe. Saves time in assembly. Just stuff the cups in there, stake them in place, and done. No fussing with clips or anything. They can probably assemble and stake all in one seamless motion.

The driveshaft from my '88 Subaru looks like it uses the same U-joints. Veeeeerrry interesting (rotary-powered RWD Subaru, anyone?)

 

Mine is doing the same thing and it turned out to be the rear U-joint. I'm having a custom driveshaft fabricated ($300 CDN, about $200 US) with removable U-joints, as Mazda wanted $700 for a new factory shaft.

 

any idea if the 2nd gen driveshaft will fit?

 

Most likely not - it's a different wheelbase, with a driveshaft going into a fixed differential housing instead of a moving live axle.

 

While we're on this topic, does anyone make a lightweight driveshaft? I'm on the path of having one custom made with an aluminum center section, but if RB or Mazdatrix makes one that could save time and money...

 

What about the 'pre 83 driveshafts, do they fit and are the u-joints replaceable?