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

Replacing Driveshaft?

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Old Mar 25, 2008 | 04:15 PM
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Replacing Driveshaft?

Has anyone ever had to replace their OEM driveshaft?

And for what reasons?

I read somewhere the source to my vibrations in my cabin is because of the rear U-Joints in my driveshaft are gone.

When I accelerate vibrations get harsher.

When checking for play in the driveshaft. Would bad U-joints cause it to move around?

Last edited by Ex-Eg-Driver; Mar 25, 2008 at 04:30 PM.
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Old Mar 25, 2008 | 04:31 PM
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Yes it's the driveshaft, super easy to replace.
Undo the 4 bolts at the diff, and then slide the old one out, slide on the new one and bolt it down.

You can find a used one cheap (if its n/a) or you can replace your U-joints if you search for the thread.
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Old Mar 25, 2008 | 05:12 PM
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Check the Motor mounts,The Transmission mounts,and the Differential mounts Besides Checking the Ujoints..Any of those Mounts If broken can cause Vibration.The Best thing to do is Put the Car up and Check Everything.There is no sense in Just Guessing,as I have found that you think it is One thing and it Turns out to be another part!
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Old Mar 25, 2008 | 05:51 PM
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Originally Posted by farberio
Yes it's the driveshaft, super easy to replace.
Undo the 4 bolts at the diff, and then slide the old one out, slide on the new one and bolt it down.

You can find a used one cheap (if its n/a) or you can replace your U-joints if you search for the thread.
I would also drain the tranny because you are going to get oily if you pull the driveshaft out.
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Old Mar 25, 2008 | 06:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Ex-Eg-Driver
When checking for play in the driveshaft. Would bad U-joints cause it to move around?
Usually the problem is binding rather than loose joints. You can easily check this by unbolting the driveshaft and attempting to move the joint around by hand. If it is hard to move, then it needs to be replaced.

I don't recommend the ghetto U-joint replacement kit. It is a better idea to just replace the driveshaft with a new one. You can get a less-expensive aftermarket driveshaft from Mazdatrix if you don't want to pay the price for an OEM driveshaft.
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Old Mar 25, 2008 | 06:02 PM
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If you jack up the car from the back and have it tilt forward, you won't get oily. Otherwise you'll have to plug it with something. Also you'll have to drop the catback and one of the heatshields (optional) to get it out. Just hope that your cat isn't welded into the system like mine was. That was a nasty surprise when I was changing my driveshaft.

After I replaced mine, all vibrations were gone. The drive afterwards was so rewarding =D.
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Old Mar 25, 2008 | 09:00 PM
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Dude...I hope its the driveshaft...these vibrations are so annoying. The damn CD player keeps skipping because its so hardcore.
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Old Mar 25, 2008 | 09:19 PM
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ya i had the exact same problem. it SUCKED. Btw I'd recommend some PB blaster for the bolts...and a long *** breaker bar for max torque. Those bolts were on TIGHT for me.
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Old Mar 25, 2008 | 09:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Ex-Eg-Driver
Has anyone ever had to replace their OEM driveshaft?

And for what reasons?

I read somewhere the source to my vibrations in my cabin is because of the rear U-Joints in my drive shaft are gone.

When I accelerate vibrations get harsher.

When checking for play in the driveshaft. Would bad U-joints cause it to move around?
Sorta. I'm overdue to change mine.

Why? It "tinks", "squeaks" and chirps at me when I drive. The "tink" sound echos through the drive shaft when I change between forward or reverse, or if I let of the gas and dont press back on it real easy. The squeaks happen at low speed 3-6mph, and the chirping noise happens when cruising around 40-45mph

You could possibly feel some play caused by bad u-joints. Depends on how bad they are.
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Old Mar 25, 2008 | 09:41 PM
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Originally Posted by fossil_484
Sorta. I'm overdue to change mine.

Why? It "tinks", "squeaks" and chirps at me when I drive. The "tink" sound echos through the drive shaft when I change between forward or reverse, or if I let of the gas and dont press back on it real easy. The squeaks happen at low speed 3-6mph, and the chirping noise happens when cruising around 40-45mph

You could possibly feel some play caused by bad u-joints. Depends on how bad they are.
Whoa, I can hear the "tink" too. I was wondering what that was. haha
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Old Mar 25, 2008 | 10:18 PM
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yea some people would say it's ur front diff mount going or dead, but for me it was just A LOT of play in my U-joint.
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Old Mar 27, 2008 | 06:06 PM
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Feels great...the feeling when you have fixed something...and it actually worked...*sigh* feels great. BYEBYE VIBRATIONS!!!!

...for now... HAHAHA
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Old Mar 27, 2008 | 06:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Ex-Eg-Driver
Feels great...the feeling when you have fixed something...and it actually worked...*sigh* feels great. BYEBYE VIBRATIONS!!!!

...for now... HAHAHA
dude that was exactly the feeling that I had afterwards. Felt incredible. I went blasting down the 280 when I finished at like 1am. It was sweet.
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Old Mar 27, 2008 | 06:17 PM
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Congrats!
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