I'm in the process of putting my new clutch in, I took the tranny off last night and the bell housing has a greasy residue all round it mainly below the shaft. I took the pressure plate and disk off and they were completely dry. The disk was definetly shot. So is that residue normal? Thank you.

 

Wouldnt say it is "normal" but have seen it on tons of bell housings. Can be from lots of things including clutch oil that has leaked in from blown slave to tranny oil from bad seal rear or tranny seal. I would say just have a good look at everything and if nothing looks bad then just clean it up and dont worry.

My 2 cents anyhow

 

My car is over at a friends place, otherwise I would take a picture. It looks like its coming from around the seal where the shaft comes out of the tranny. What is that seal called? Is it a pain to replace it?

 

Called front tranny seal, havent done one personally on the car but I believe it can be replaced (probably rear seal too) that is if it is shot. It could have been replaced before. Anyhow, do a search here for more info, and perhaps others could pipe up on thoughts on this as well. My response was for the general part of your question that I have seen lots of bellhousings with grime and grease inside.

Changing the seals though is not a hard job.

 

Thanks Tiers! Another question I have is about the driveshaft, when I pulled it out there was a really thin metal ring that was cracked , what is that called ? I'm trying to get all these part names togther so I can order them.

 

Thanks Tiers! Another question I have is about the driveshaft, when I pulled it out there was a really thin metal ring that was cracked , that came out of the rear of the shaft what is that called ? I'm trying to get all these part names togther so I can order them.

 

Hmmm from rear of shaft, rear tranny seal gone too?

Also pilot bearing and seal...always good to put new one in when you change clutch or separate engine/tranny. (well SOME will say leave it alone if good but I am on the other side saying always change).
Also for parts, VERY often your local Mazda Parts/Service dealer can get you the right part at a good price. Some things they rip you on but simple things are usually better then sending away. I have built up a good reputation with my Mazda dealer too, so I get a substantial discount on parts, just by being friendly and tellin them I have got parts from them or directly from Mazda for years.