FBorDie

I've got an SE axle that will be making its way into my '83, though before I install the axle it could use a fresh coat of paint. Due to the fact that the axle shafts must be removed to get the dust shield and axle retainer off, I figure it may be the perfect opportunity to rebuild it if necessary.

I've never torn down an axle before, and thus I don't know what to look for. I'll assume to look for metal shavings in the oil, wear on the pinion and ring gears, as well as damaged oil seals and axle shaft splines? I expect damage, seeing as the donor car was used for drifting. Would it be unwise to not replace the wheel bearings at the least? They're only just north of 70 for the pair from mazdatrix and in addition to that I have no idea if they've ever been replaced.

Some suggestions would be wonderful!

LongDuck

Depending on how many miles you have on that rear axle (*and that it was a drift car, apparently), replacing the wheel bearings along with new collars would be prudent. I have 222k mi on my original rear bearings and the driver's side has a click which increases with vehicle speed - it sounds exactly like a bearing missing, which gives just enough space for the next bearing to fall down the race and 'click' as it hits the one in front. To say that it's disheartening is an understatement and I've been taking it easy until I can pull the rear axles. I have both bearings, collars, and dust seals in-hand, just need to find the time to do it.

Also, the FSM only suggests replacing Dust Seals if yours are damaged somehow. Expect that removing them will be a bitch if the FSM says to leave them alone. I bought them just in case, but don't plan to replace them unless needed.

Unless the rear end is making untoward noises, I'd probably just drive on it. If you do fluid replacement, be sure to add the GM LSD additive or your LSD clutches will grind themselves to death in short order - then you'll HAVE to rebuild the rear end. Good luck,

Joe428

As someone who did a quick inspection on an axle then installed it just to have to remove it and disassemble it again to replace bad bearing I would suggest replacing all the bearings and seals before installation.

The axle isn't that hard to rebuild and there is a really good how-to with pictures here:

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/differential-rebuild-tutorial-711712/

My only other suggestion is buy yourself a bearing puller if you don't have one. They aren't that expensive and renting the tool from a parts store yielded a worn and rounded off POS in my experience.

FBorDie

I pulled the axle out of a car with no engine, so I've never heard it in use. I should've mentioned this in the original post considering it can change things. If I were to put new wheel bearings in the axle and find it had unwanted noise, I'd be okay to keep the axles assembled, correct? No need to replace the bearings once again?

Are you suggesting I rebuild the third member as well as new wheel bearings? I'd rather not do this, but if necessary I definitely will. Lots of good info in that writeup. As for a bearing puller, what were you referring to? A bearing separator?


I work at a dealership so I have access to many of these tools, including a press. I know for a fact the FSM suggests removing it by using the grinder and chisel method... Which I'd rather not attempt considering my unstable hands.

LongDuck

Yes, the bearings go with the dust shield and the axle, so if you found that your 3rd member was making horrible grinding noises, you could pull the axles and not sacrifice the bearings. It's pretty straightforward from what I can glean from the FSM.

Joe428

Sorry mixed two tools names together. I ended up needing a bearing splitter and a gear puller. My suggestion would be to replace the axle bearings and the third member bearings. Doubt the third member bearings wear that bad as they are constantly bathed in oil unlike the axle bearings but with the prior race use it would be a good idea. Trying to save you the hassle of taking everything apart twice like I did. My third member bearings looked fine with 160k street miles on the donor but I replaced them anyway.

FBorDie

Better safe than sorry lol. I'd rather not drop an axle twice just like you had said. I'll be having one of the technicians at my work teach me how this is done, so for now the tools will be covered but in the future I'll definitely be purchasing them.

Thanks for the help!