My rx-3 has developed a light popping sound from the rear of the car. It happens when Im in or out of gear so it reciprocating related, it doesnt change on bumps so I dont think its suspension related either. checked online and others say bad spider gears make the popping. changed fluid last month noticed a bit of crap on the magnetic plug. Can these rears be rebuilt? ANY IDEAS?

 

Your diff head is on the way out mate. The sound you hear is the pin that runs between the spider gears sliding out and hitting the main gear thus causing the bits of steel to break off that you saw.
A diff specialist may be able to rebuild the diff head, but it may be easyer to find another second hand one and chuck that in
good luck

 

Thanks for the reply mate. May be hard to find a used one locally but will have to start the legwork soon. I knew it wasnt good when it started and its funny coz if you ask anyone else to listen to the noise 99% would say what noise? very light but makes sense with the metal shavings in the diff oil. If it totally fails will it go BOOM? or just loose drive? My daily driver for the time being.

 

"If it totally fails will it go BOOM? or just loose drive?"

Usually a part of the pin snaps off gets jammed elsewhere and then goes BOOM!

..but before that happens the noise you hear now will get real loud and clunky over time. If you got some spare coin i'd search out a lsd head.. isn't racing beat hq near you?? give them a ring

 

check hector hooks rotary

 

just get a 3rd member from a 79-82 RX-7. its that simple