2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

Differential Smacking

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Old Mar 23, 2002 | 06:55 PM
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Differential Smacking

Alright just started it today and seems to be getting worst. when taking off and shifting and letting off the trottle then gettin back on it a loud smack comes from the diff. sounds like theres play in it. i checked it out drained the oil, no metal at all in the oil. What could this be?
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Old Mar 23, 2002 | 07:20 PM
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Differential mount, the front mount. www.mazdatrix.com, $150, and about 8 hours of work.
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Old Mar 23, 2002 | 10:03 PM
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8 HOURS! Dude It's not that involved. Take off catback (15minutes) Driveshaft (15 minutes) Drop out entire rearend (20 minutes) pull old mount off (10 minutes) Install new mount (10 minutes) take a **** (3 minutes) re-align and mount rearend (30 minutes) re-re-align rearend (15 minutes) driveshaft (15 minutes) exhaust (15 minutes). Thant's about 2.25 hours, so give it 2.75 hours if your slow. No reason it should take more than 3 hours and that's allowing you to take a dump instead of a **** ! I mean hypntyz7 and I did it in less than 2 hours, no problem.
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Old Mar 23, 2002 | 10:17 PM
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You are my hero dude. 20 min to get the rearednd out? Took me 2 hours! Install the mount in 10 minutes?!?!? WTF? Are your arms made of steel? Wow. That is the shortest time I have EVER heard of. Even HAILERS says it takes forever!!
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Old Mar 23, 2002 | 10:20 PM
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$150!! the mazda comp one is only $63
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Old Mar 23, 2002 | 10:25 PM
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And the front mount was only 60 bucks x 2. 120 and cheaper for the racing ones.

Does anyone know if the racing ones will hold better and be more wheel hop retardent?

I get the same thing in my car. How much longer can I expect it too last?
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Old Mar 23, 2002 | 11:45 PM
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Dude, if you have the air tools and a floor jack to support everything while you take all the bolts out, it's not that hard to do. I guess with hand tools you could need another hour. But ****, if you can't do it in 4 hours there is somethng wrong. Oh sorry,I forgot a few numbers... get car up on jackstands (10 minutes) remove rear wheels (5 minutes) put wheels back on at teh end (5 minutes) get car off jack stands (10 minutes) SO I'll give you 4.5-5 hours with hand tools and 3.5 with impact wrench. Or maybe mine was just super easy and the gods were smiling upon us!
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Old Mar 24, 2002 | 12:25 AM
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Is there a way to check those mounts befor i start taking everything off?
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Old Mar 24, 2002 | 12:57 AM
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Jack up the rear end, start the car. Get 2 long broom sticks or the like. Put the car in gear, hold down the clutch w/ one of the sticks, revv the car w/ the other and ease off the clutch. then, when you can get the clutch all of the way off, gun it. The idea is to watch the differential as you do this, so use the sticks as your feet and stick your head under the car to watch the differential. The differential will bounce, and hit the subframe if it is the culprit.
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Old Mar 24, 2002 | 03:05 AM
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HAHAHAHA. And I am sure the Mazda Dealer will do this for you using the broom stick techniques. lol.

The dealer will do it for you for aroud $150.
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Old Mar 24, 2002 | 03:48 AM
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I just removed the rubber and welded the bitch on my FC. $ 25
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Old Mar 24, 2002 | 06:37 AM
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I checked mine with a long screwdriver. Just pry on the rubber. The rubber was torn away from the steel, it was obvious when I pried on it.

I watched the guy at the dealer change mine in about 15 minutes. He didn't remove anything but, the car was on a rack and he had several long extentions and an air ratchet.
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Old Mar 24, 2002 | 08:10 AM
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how much at the dealer MikeL? (dare I ask)
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Old Mar 24, 2002 | 08:43 AM
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They charged me $100.
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Old Mar 24, 2002 | 10:42 AM
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From: houston
Just weld the thing. Thats what I did it worked great. Until the motor died. I did it on some other cars and no complaints.
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Old Mar 24, 2002 | 12:50 PM
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Long (4 foot) extensions and you don't have to drop the diff, especially if you have access to a lift and can move around. My dad and I did mine in about 2 hours, taking it easy and planning everything carefully. A little prying and you _don't_have_to_drop_the_diff_.

My ex-mechanic wanted to charge me 4 hours labor because you _have_ to drop the diff, he said. Nope, you don't.

Definitely check to see if the rubber is separated from the metal. But from your description it's probably the mount.
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Old Mar 24, 2002 | 01:51 PM
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alright yeah its broke it pryed up on the diff and i could see its busted, now whats the easyest was gettin it out? how are you guys gettin out without removing things?
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Old Mar 24, 2002 | 01:53 PM
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Originally posted by rico05
Jack up the rear end, start the car. Get 2 long broom sticks or the like. Put the car in gear, hold down the clutch w/ one of the sticks, revv the car w/ the other and ease off the clutch. then, when you can get the clutch all of the way off, gun it. The idea is to watch the differential as you do this, so use the sticks as your feet and stick your head under the car to watch the differential. The differential will bounce, and hit the subframe if it is the culprit.
Or just get under the car and push up on the diff with your hands....
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Old Mar 24, 2002 | 02:11 PM
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Originally posted by Felix Wankel


Or just get under the car and push up on the diff with your hands....
but then you don't get to play with long, hard, pole shaped objects
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Old Mar 24, 2002 | 02:12 PM
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Originally posted by Scott 89t2


but then you don't get to play with long, hard, pole shaped objects
I save that for after I get the car fixed
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Old Mar 25, 2002 | 10:10 AM
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From: Grafton WV
alright yeah its broke it pryed up on the diff and i could see its busted, now whats the easyest was gettin it out? how are you guys gettin out without removing things?
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