Audiofight

Here's the deal:

I tore my driveshaft apart, literally. The front U-joint was about to break. I pulled the driveshaft and removed the U-joint. I am going to either find a replacement that fits from another car or else have a local shop to me make some. I am too cheap to buy a new one from Mazda (outrageous) and I don't think the Mazdatrix one is reasonable either (not-quite-as-outrageous), so I am going to figure out how to rebuild my original one for under $100.

My question for you guys is:

Which service would you prefer to have done?

seveninphilly

iTrader: (7)

Replaceable ones would be my choice but a junk yard drive shaft is key.

Audiofight

Well, I am 99% positive I will have U-joints available.

If I can't find another vehicle that used a driveshaft U-joint that small, my dad (mechanic for 30+ years) swore that he remembered some bigger trucks using U-joints that size (roughly) as steering knuckles. So, I should be able to find some and do a write-up on how-to-do it yourself.

C'mon people. Is it worth my time to show you how to do it or offer the service? LMK

Audiofight

No one wants to rebuild/have rebuilt their driveshaft? C'mon.

WonkoTheSane

iTrader: (2)

are the u-joints supposed to be replaceable? mine just died, and i called every car parts store within 100 miles looking for em, and noone listed anything....

Node

iTrader: (1)

I posted some driveshaft info a while ago, and someone found a place who makes lightweight replacement driveshafts for FCs, I'll search around for the info. Wish me luck

Node

iTrader: (1)

here is the thread with replacement driveshaft site, and my writeup on the specs of stock driveshafts (S4 FC)
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...ght=driveshaft

here is the site for FC driveshafts, I didn't check for prices though
http://www.dennysdriveshaft.com/

Maxthe7man

I had the shaft done in my N/a, the joints are 'staked' which means the yokes have to be machined to accept a snapring style ujoint, any real driveshaft shop can do it, it cost me 185.00 Canadian or something like that with upgraded u joints, balancing and life time guarantee..Max

Audiofight

I will find some U-joints that the same size as the original.

Maxthe7man is right. The factory U-joints are staked in. All you have to do is place a large socket below the U-joint and take a punch held in a vice clamp and smash the living &#%^ out of it with a large hammer.

Repeat in the opposite direction to break the old one loose. This will also take care of the staked rim holding the factory one in.

XimbueX

I had my driveshaft rebuilt w/ replaceable u-joints for $120. One of the best services I ever had done. They harmonically balanced it and garunteed it for a while.

Just look for a driveshaft shop in your yellow pages. They are pretty common.

Matt Ford

WonkoTheSane

iTrader: (2)

What was the shop that you had yours done at for 120? because out here in east bumble.. .err.. never mind the location, out here, there's no listing for a driveshaft shop in my phone book.. Thanks for all the info, i'm glad i don't have to spend 250 for a new one from mazdatrix

XimbueX

It was a place called Oliver's driveshaft co. I'm in central NC, and there's a fair amount of trucking businesses, so they get their share of business.

I wish you were around when I was selling my driveshaft.

Where in PA do you live? I did a quick search and found 5 places near pittsburgh that do work like that.


Matt Ford

RX7BEAR

Hey audiofight Im in Grand Rapids Mich I got mine drive shaft done out here in Jenisen By a very good drive line shope for I think it was 80.00 they drilled out the old ujoints and put in new ones that were bigger and have grease fittings plus ballanced it . Pm me if ya want their address and number you can send yours to them or drive over.

WonkoTheSane

iTrader: (2)

i'm in central pa, ~ 3.5 hours from pittsburgh (which is a much greater distance without a good car!) i'll prolly have to put the rx on hold for a while now and start trying to fix the eclipse again.. damn cars...

XimbueX

Hey I hear ya. If worst comes to worst, you can garuntee that Mazdatrix will send you something worth your cash, even if it isn't the cheapest around. They do a pretty good business, and I have always ended up a happy customer. Sometimes that's the price you pay for solid customer service, especially if you aren't near a major market for rx7's.

Matt Ford

WonkoTheSane

iTrader: (2)

i wonder if i should give those guys listed above a call... the machine shops around here won't do it... i don't really want to pay 250 for a new one, but, as you said, i prolly don't have much choice out here where there's no such thing as rotory..

Audiofight

I found replacement U-joints like I said I would.

$40 + shipping for two new ones. It will take an hour or so, depending on your skill, to replace both of them.

Tools required:
[list=1][*]Large Socket (14mm or 7/8 should be close)[*]Large Hammer[*]Vise Clamp[*]Medium to large punch[*]Flat file[/list=1]

Instructions:
[list=1][*]Clamp punch to avoid smashing fingers. [*]Prop the U-joint caps on the socket[*]Place punch on the U-joint cap and smash the living (&*& out of it.[*]Flip and repeat until both caps are off and the U-joint is removed[*]Once old U-joint is removed, file the inner openings flat to remove all rust and debris that may hinder installation of new U-joint.[*]Place new U-joint in the openings and carefully pound the new caps onto the U-joint.[*]Insert clips and grease fitting[*]Grease up[*]Reinstall driveshaft[/list=1]

Make sure you mark the rear-end and the driveshaft so you can re-install it exactly like you took it out. Also mark the front yoke so it is also re-assembled exactly. This way, you won't need to re-balance the driveshaft unless it was out of balance in the first place.

WonkoTheSane

iTrader: (2)

that is really, really sweet where did you find the ujoints at?

Audiofight

I found them at a local shop. Some shops will stock and re-sell U-joints that only rebuilders have access to.

The shop near me marks the U-joint up and sells them at retail price, making profit. Why should they care who buys them as long as they make money?

I can get em, just email me.

XimbueX

Any driveshaft shop would be able to service you. Ask a mechanic for a recommendation. There's nothing specific about the rx-7's driveshaft that makes it any different to work on than a transport truck's

Matt Ford
XimbueX

WonkoTheSane

iTrader: (2)

there's no driveshaft shops, i've asked my two mechanics.. and the machine shop said they can't do anything for me unless i can get them the u-joints..

Audiofight

Wonko

I have U-joints.........

Email me if you need some.