is it possible to install the watts link (where it attaches to the differential) upside down or backwards? Reason for the question is that the driveshaft hits the body when going over bumps with a heavy load in the car. The car has had this problem since I bought it used in 1990. It was in a wreck. The differential is from a 1982, while the car is an 1983.

I've checked or replaced shocks , springs , spring rate , bushings, car-height, tires' positon to body , trans mounts , and trans crossmember rubber things. I have the cleanest 22 year old rx-7 heat shield in all creation now.

The drive shaft isn't centered in the drive shaft well. It hits the e-brake cable bracket that is 20 inches from the start of the differential when going over bumps with a load. With a 300 pound load in back, there is about 3/8's inch clearance between the driveshaft's rubbing mark, and the bracket.

 

20 views and not a single suggestion? Wow, this problem must really be tough since not one person would hazard a guess.

 

This is what it should look like.

 

PM 1984se. He had the same prob but I don't remember if he ever fixed it.

 

I guess its possible, and that would cause some problems like what your saying.

 

Without having one apart in front of me.... If the long end and short end of the center link were flipped it would cause the rearend to move in a strange path up and down. If the center link were flipped(installed backside to the front, if possible) the rear would be off center. Measure from the brake backing plates or discs to the frame rails, I think it would be obvious if its off center by looking at the fender openings/tires. And the center link would hit the floor if it were flipped upside down. I would suspect the wreck history, can you get a 4 wheel alignment correct on the car? Jack it up and see what the rear does as you go through the travel, even take out the springs so you can get it way up in the frame.

 

trochoid and jgrewe for your help,

The watts link looks like the picture. I also took out the springs and the shocks, and lifted the car with a jack under the differential. The drive shaft is off centered, and it goes way way up in to the well, and hits a bracket or something on the passenger side of the driveshaft, 20 inches from the rear universal joint. Maybe when they rebuilt the wreck, they added that piece to join pieces? Mazdatrix said something is totally obvious, but they never heard of this problem before. I also took the car to Nelson's Mazda when in L A. One of their **** head mechanics tried to tell me it was the clutch master cylinder, but Nelson was a straight shooter and said I wouldn't fall of that story.

I guess the only thing to do now is add washers to lower the trans mount, and add washers to the rear shocks to raise the rear. The car has served me well since 1990, just wish I could get to the root cause.

Thanks again