Is a machine shop worth it?
 

Here's my problem: I have an 84 GSL that I've been restoring, and for the most part, she's been a dream to work on. Recently though, I broke one of the teeth in the gears of the LSD. I know this because of how she sounds when she drives (just about make youy cry) and when I drained the oil out a piece of metal came out that looks just like a tooth.

Here's my dilemma: I've found an old 79 in absolutely terrible shape for too much money but with that and a bunch of other parts worth scavenging but A) I live in an apartment complex with evil management that forces me to work on my car either at night or on sunday when they don't see me (otherwise I've been threatened with lease termination, the bastards) B)Buying an older, poorly cared for car to fix a newer, well cared for car lacks a certain sense. What's to say I won't encounter the same problem six weeks from now? One of the other issues is that I haven't been getting alot of responses in the classified to my wtb ad, and those responses I do get are for the GSL-SE. I've contacted Mazda, and they said that part isn't available. Victoria British can replace just about everything except the part I need. I've been to two junkyards that didn't have any Mazdas at all, and I haven't driven in three months (which is killing me).

Here's my question: is it worth talking to a machine shop to see if they could build new geared parts to spec? Is that going to be crazy expensive (I got about, or will have $250 max to pay for this)? Will they even do something like that?

I'm going to try another tack on the classified and see if I get further, but man this is frustrating. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Mac

Just look for another third member. Have that rebuilt while it's out side of the car, (new bearings and what not) and then swap the two on Sunday when no one is around, it should take 2-3hrs if you have never done it before. You should expect to pay between $100-$150 for a usable LSD 3rd member (IE you could just swap it in and be fine). Hell you may as well get a set of axles and press on new wheel bearings as well. That way you will have nothing to worrie about in the rear end except for the brakes for another 100,000 miles.

Good Luck
Ryan

gears are VERY expensive to machine. You can always check, but I'm pretty sure $250 isn't gonna cut it.

good luck finding a shop that can do that period and do it under that price, i would not turst it if you did, its cheaper and less headache and more realible to get another part you can just swap out

Those gears are precision formed and then case-hardened. Not the sort of thing an ordinary machine shop can do. That's why certain OEM gear ratios trade at premium prices, when they can be found.

A junkyard is your best bet. There shouldn't be a problem with parts quality. You may even be able to get the gears online. I once needed a Fiat punkin and the local JY pulled it and had it at the front counter next day for $40. I think I was lucky.

Just search through the 1st gen parts section an locate another 3rd member, to save on shipping ask if they would just send you the pumpkin (gears) either way the extra brakes etc will be a nice set of spares. Stay with a GSL for the LSD.

Hi, Lutz is near tampa right? Theres plenty of rotorheads out that way. I know of at least a couple that probably have parts that can help you out. Just on here is spinracing and rotary7 and evil aviator . Check out and join the mrccfl www.mrccfl.com . The florida rotary community is strong here in central florida. You should have no problem hooking up with someone who has the parts you need at a reasonable price.

the 79 parts will not do you any good. they do not interchage with an 84.


The gears and Rear from any 84 or 85 will work for you. A GSL-SE rear will work for you.

Search national junkyards for one. It's how I get parts. The local yards here charge INSANE prices, maybe 10% under new or rebuilt.

www.car-part.com

Thanks for the replies. You just saved a newbie a week of crying by warning me against the '79. I thought all first gen parts were compatible. car-parts.com is also a resource I didn't know about, and they did have the parts I need. I'll also look into the local rotary group. It's true, there are a lot of us around here, and we all wave at each other when we drive by. I've had guys follow me into parking lots and stores to ask if I knew where to get a certain part, or anyone selling an engine. It's funny, so I'll check out the club too.