Ok, my auto to manual transmission swap is almost complete and while I'm in there mucking around I thought I'd change the rear end gears as well. I've got a 4.88 gear set from Mazda that I want to install. The problem I'm having is in getting the axle out. I read somewhere that all that was needed was to remove the brakes and undo 3 bolts that hold in the axle flange and the axle should just pull out. Well, I've got everything out but the axle won't budge at all. Any suggestions? The car is an 83 GSL and to the best of my knowledge everything in the back is stock. The car has very low mileage and seems to be in very good shape.

 

A slide hammer will work. If you don't have one of those big enough get a length of big chain and make a piece of metal that will bolt across a couple lug bolts. Bolt the piece of metal on the hub and hook the chain on it. Stand back about 6' a do a 'crack the whip' motion with the chain. It may take a few times to get the chain to snap just right but when you do the axle will pop out. Watch your toes!

 

you can use a spare tire or the stock brake drum or brake rotors. Install it backwards and use long lug nuts. Leave use so u can slide the rotors like a slide hammer.

Oh bTW, you wont be happy with a 4.88. Instead, I highly recommend a 4.44 gears. Let me know if you're ready to make a trade.

 

Thanks for the advice, I'm about to start day two and we'll see how it goes. I was just worried that something might be broken inside. The guy helping me do the work seemed to think the axles should slide out easily, but he's never worked on an RX7 before.

Oh, and the car is a dedicated race car, not a street car. I think I'll be very happy with the 4.88