Well recently i've been having the shaking/bucking/screeching sound coming from the rear in reverse and deceleration while in gear. Pretty sure its the u joints cause I can totally wiggle the driveshaft around. I've searched and searched and noticed a lot of people have got new u joints and had a driveline shop install the new parts. I noticed rockauto sells u joints for the front and rear, but obviously you supposedly cant replace them. Should I get the ones from rockauto and take it to a driveline shop or just get the $267 aftermarket driveshaft from mazdatrix and not worry about it for another 10+ years. Help me decide please. Thanks.

 

its up to you. i've heard that shops can replace the non replaceable u-joints. i've never come across one. the u-joints hold up fairly well over the years. i'd first pull the driveshaft and verify that the u-joints front or rear or both are faulty efore you order any parts.

 

If you have a shop rebuild the driveshaft, they will source the joints for you. Find a local shop and ask if they can do the rebuild.

 

Well looks like mazdatrix is the way. Just talked to a driveline shop and they said 300 or more haha.

 

or you could get a driveshaft shipped in from a forum member. Do you have a S2 or a S3?

 

True. I have a S2. I'm thinking the mazdatrix one though cause if it ever happens again I'll be able to rebuild it myself.

 

So how do I check for bad u joints with the driveshaft out of the car? The rear u joints have no play but the front yoke feels like its going to fall off. It makes the same sound when you wiggle it as when I was in reverse.

 

Then I'd say the front one is toast.

 

assuming that you took out the drive shaft, it will be obvious which u joints need replacing.

In 1990 a machine shop pressed in new u joints , they lasted until 2000. In 2000 I installed a junk yard drive shaft.

So I should of spent the $267 in 1990 on the rebuildable drive shaft.

 

Just replace the U joints...

Part #
8BB1-25-060

 

I buy u-joints from Rockford Driveline. They also have a good instruction page to explain how its done. IIRC they are about $19 ea.

 

I checked that place out, but they seem to have them for 84 and later years only. Right now I'm pretty set on the aftermarket driveshaft from mazdatrix. I think it will be easier in the long run.

 

You cannot service 84-85 driveshafts.

 

correct but i believe the mazdatrix driveshafts are completely serviceable

 

A good driveline shop will replace the "non replaceable" joints in the 84/5's. For less than half the price of the mazdatrix version. I had mine done in OKC a couple of years ago for $116.00.

 

Most are considered 'not seviceable' its all about production methods. They swedge the joints in when its first made so there are no clips holding the caps in. The bore that holds the caps is still fine if things don't get worn to far. Once you hammer out the originals you clean off the burrs that hold them with a die grinder and the new joints use clips on the inside to stay in.

 

I ended up ordering the aftermarket driveshaft from mazdatrix. I'll report back after its installed.

 

Installed new driveshaft yesterday morning and everything is perfect now. Rides smoother than before. Thanks guys.