Whenever I wind the car out in 1st and shift second hard, something in the rear bangs like I just got hit with a sledgehammer or got rear-ended. The car has a lot of slop off and on the gas in the drivetrain. Other than that, I don't have any problems driving the car. No trans syncro issues, and I replaced a leaking RR shock with 4 new Tokico's. What could it be? Did I blow the rear differential mounts?

 

No one has any ideas? Maybe I cracked the Power Plant Frame?

 

?

 

Does sound more like the PPF than the diff mounts. Easy to check though, once you get underneath the car.....

 

BACKFIRE! BOOM!

How does it sound like? Metal on metal contact? Or just a loud shoutgun sound?

 

I have the same noise, when I shift. Sounds like a huge clunk.
Is there and after market PPF that would be stronger? Can you weld or strengthen the stock one?

 

Not a backfire, just a feeling like I was just rear-ended. I get a little bit of popping from the exhaust, but that is only at low rpm.

If it is the PPF, I'll probably get the MazdaSpeed one from:

http://www.rx7.com/cgi-local/3catalog.cgi?cat=2&part=7

Does anyone have it cheaper?

 

Try Jason above at RX-7 store. Alot cheaper!

 

Yeh, I contacted him. His price was much cheaper. Just wish I'd have time to get under this thing and figure out what it is. I already know the toe links are bad, but I doubt this is the problem.

 

I can't figure out what is wrong with this thing. The only thing I can find is that the toe links are bad and there is a lot of play in the ring-and-pinion. I see that I have a sub frame connector(pipe) from the rear subframe to just fore the u-joint. Is there supposed to be a matching one on the right side? Looks to have the same bolt holes for it.

 

Just curious if you ever found the problem. I have the exact same symptoms and was searching for answers. Haven't crawled under the car yet to look for anything since I haven't had the car long and don't even know what to look for!

If it turns out to be the diff mounts, should they be replaced with stock ones? I know there's tougher ones out there, and even heard of solid ones, but it seems like Mazda made them soft for a reason. Is it to protect things like the gears and u-joints, or just to smooth out rough shifts, or they were cheaper, or what?

Thanks for any advice...

 

what kind of clutch do you have?

since the first day i got a racing clutch (3 puck) in my FD, the same noise started. almost everytime i shift, CLUNK!!! it will sound like its comming from LSD area.

as fellow members mentioned already, it could be your PPF. just check visually.

just FYI, i regret that ive got 3-puck clutch. it is just too harsh too drive on the street. (not impossible though ) im planning to replace it with ACT SS clutch when i get my tranny rebuilt.

 

Actually my clutch is worn out and just started slipping (plan on fixing in the next week or so). As far as I know, it's stock.

I've been trying to do research on what clutch to get. I'm about to settle on the SR ACT street/strip/Al flywheel combo. Sound reasonable for a daily driver? I'm used to a light flywheel, but I don't want the clutch to be TOO binary.

How do you check the PPF? I'll search around for that now.....