Hello everyone. I’m a new member and this is my first post. I have recently purchased a 1983 gsl. I’ve been coming to this site for some time now and have learned tons . But now I’ve run into a problem that I can’t seem to figure out. Being a 20 year old with a beautiful car and no experience with Analog controls I lost control on a switchback and I Slid in a curb and bent my rear axle shaft .
I’ve looked everywhere for a small axle axle shaft but have not found one . I ended up buying a 84 large axle shaft with 26 spines and it will not fit my car. I was wondering if anyone could walk me through the process of converting the 84 axle to fit my 83 axle. I’ve heard it is possible to take the gears out of the 84 and put them into the 83 along with the 84 axle shafts. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you !

 

series 2 81-83 use small bearings/axles, series 3 84-85 have large bearings/axles. only thing u can do is just swap out the entire rear end. u will also need the drive shaft as the s3 has a different bolt pattern on the diff flange.

 

What part of fl you in?

 

I’m in Deland

 

Will the s3 driveshaft bolt on to my engine ?

 

If your in s. Fl I think I have the parts. Can’t send you pm but think I have what you need. Throw me what you can and if ya can’t then you can have em. It axles spiders housing etc. basically the whole 1980 rear end disasembled, but am keeping the chunk and ring gears. I switch rear ends in mine to disc. Others can confirm this will fit.

 

im about 3 hours south …north of west palm. Let others confirm it will work and you can have em.

 

okay that sounds good . Can I get your number? Also I’ve got some interior parts and a few other parts I can send you pictures of. I appreciate it a lot

 

From mazdatrix https://mazdatrix.com/differential-interchange/

YEARS PART NOTES
79-85 (12A) Complete axle assembly Brake line threads changed in ’81, shoes drums, and adjusters are much better 81-85. Driveshaft flange changed in ’83.
79-83 (12A) non LSD Bare axle housing Interchangeable
84-84 (12A) non LSD Bare axle housing Interchangeable
79-83 Bare axle Interchangeable
81-83 All Interchangeable except must match w/LSD and driveshaft / flange (larger in ’83)
79-83 3rd Member Interchangeable except must match driveshaft and flange (larger in ’83)
84-85 3rd Member Interchangeable

the bare axles should work, you just have to remove the bearing to swap your backing plate on there and have a new bearing pressed on. The backing plates on mine are are for 1980 drums and have a 4 bolt pattern…. Pretty sure yours is 3 bolt.

pm’d my number

 

the shaft doesn't bolt to the engine. it slides up into the end of the transmission. the end that bolts to the diff is different between s2 and s3. will fit in the trans no problem.

 

the shaft to diff flange is 4 bolt.

 

was talking about the outer end of the axle housing where retaining plates and brakes etc go to. My 1980 is a 4 bolt, 84 gsl se is a 3 bolt. Not sure about gsl myself.