The front u joint in my 85 GSL-SE is worn out. My mechanic tells me that it cannot be replaced because it's held in by "punches" in the housing, and there's no groove in the housing for a clip spring to hold a replacement u joint. He says I need to buy a new driveshaft.

Does anyone have a solution to replacing the front u joint, or does anyone know where I can buy a new driveshaft or have a u joint replaced in my old one?

Thanks,
John

 

Yeah they're not replaceable. Not sure about NC but in Los Angeles, there are several driveshaft shops that cut and weld new yokes and install replaceable u-joints on a stock driveshaft. Minor problem is that the new u-joint is larger than factory so the heatshield needs to come off for clearance

 

Thanks. I'll look for a driveshaft shop around here.

 

The 83-85 u-joints can be made to be serviceable on the stacked u-joints. I just had it done on my 1985 GSL. Code me $100 but I'm sure it can be done cheaper. Here's a pic. I went ahead and powder coated mine. This is what I used. The drive-shaft shop had them in-stock.

u-joint part number 430-10A IIRC Staked-In U-Joints

 

Thanks man! I've located a shop locally that carries the Rockford u-joints

 

Mazdatrix stocks an aftermarket driveshaft for about $300. They incorporate traditional replaceable u-joints so you can rebuild them if you ever wear them out.

 

I had my driveshaft rebuilt awhile back.
GSLSE here.
Most driveshaft shops can hook you up. My U-joints were replaced a little while back when I couldn`t find a used Rx7 driveshaft. I think they used a Dodge truck driveshaft U-joint in the repair.

Those kinds of shops are pretty creative.

 

If this driveshaft shop doesn't work out, I'll order one from them. Thanks for the tip!
John

 

Also had mine done at a drive shaft shop about 10 years ago. I'm about to have it done again.

 

Be sure to have your driveshaft balanced when you do it. I had mine done and will have to take it back to the driveshaft shop for balancing (vibrates from 0-45 mph)

Also it's my understanding that after you have the Rockford u-joints fitted, you can change them yourself (using a Rockford u-joint).

 

I'm not sure what u-joint they used last time but it is pressed in. I will have it balanced at the same time. I think 10 years ago it cost me around $50, I'm guessing now it is close to $100.

 

Mine was $100, but the shop owner loaned me his tools and jack and helped me remove and reinstall it in his parking lot.

It would have been easy had it not been for that damned exhaust shield covering it. I've bought some tin snips and am gonna remove it permanently todAY.

I understand it's for those 3 catalitic converters, and while I was asleep one night some elves removed all 3 of them along with the exhaust pump and installed a Racing Beat exhaust system.

 

On my old car, I ran a straight through exhaust so I removed the heat shields. I never had a problem with excess heat on the floor.

All the heat shields bold in so there is no reason to cut them. By unbolting them, you could always re-install them if needed.

 

They do bolt in, but you can't remove them without removing the exhaust system on my car