N/A Driveshaft Question
 

I didn't see this in the FAQ or the archives, so...

The U-joints on the driveshaft of my '88 convertible died. The dealer wants over $400 for a new OEM driveshaft. Even at half that price, I wouldn't want it, since the U-joints aren't replaceable. Mazdatrix offers one for (I think) $268 with replaceable U-joints. I'm looking for a used one.

That's the background; here's the question:

The dealer said that there are 6 different part numbers - none of which are interchangable. What are the different ones, and what will fit on an '88 'vert other than a shaft from another '88 vert?

Call this company www.arizonadrivelines.com and tell them you have a 88 convertable rx-7. They will sell you replaceable joints for your shaft. 50$ shiped.

They are a living nightmare to get out. They are stacked in. Not to bad to put new ones in. This will save you alot of money and effort. good luck.

That's funny Iceblue!!! You found the company on the west coast and I found the company back east that sells the same product for the same price even the same part number.

www.rockforddriveline.com is who I found in the Chicago area.

You can google part number 430-10A with quotation marks and the two comapnies come up.

OBTW 430-10A is the part number for the new u-joints you need. 50 bux shipped

Or, any local driveline shop can make you a new shaft. I had one made for my car using u-joints from a large Dodge truck. Cost $300 Canadian and according to them, is unbreakable. The u-joints are replacable and greasable, too...

No Shit, I had beat the crap out of the old ones. The piece of metal stock that I used for a punch was really mushroomed after driving four of those damn things out. Then I had to use the cut-off wheels on the drimmel to get the last part out. The directions show you using a pair of pliers to pull them out the rest of the way........yea right.

I replaced the drive shaft in my n/a with one from a turbo with replacable joints.

Your not kidding! mine showd vice grips. I tryd that. UHHUU not in a million years. You cant clamp vice grips hard enugh to hold on. I pressed mine with a devised method on a C clamp then clamed the part that stuck out as titeas I could without braking the cap in the clamp and slowly twisted them off. Worked well. And then pressed the new ones in.

I call :bss:

The TII use a 3in shaft with larger U-joints not to mention the yoke is larger and wont fit in the NA tranny and the rear diff mounting bolt pattern is larger. The saft will never fit on a NA. EVER!

Your not kidding! mine showd vice grips. I tryd that. UHHUU not in a million years. You cant clamp vice grips hard enugh to hold on. I pressed mine with a devised method on a C clamp then clamed the part that stuck out as titeas I could without braking the cap in the clamp and slowly twisted them off. Worked well. And then pressed the new ones in.

I call :bss:

The TII use a 3in shaft with larger U-joints not to mention the yoke is larger and wont fit in the NA tranny and the rear diff mounting bolt pattern is larger. The saft will never fit on a NA. EVER!

Thanks, Guys.
 

Thanks, iceblue and jhammons01 for the links to the replaceable joints.