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DRIVELINE

Driveshaft and U-Joints

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

Rear Wheel Drive GLC
  1. Raise the rear end of the car and support it using jackstands.

    CAUTION
    Be sure that the car is securely supported. Remember, you will be working underneath it.

  2. Matchmark the flanges on the driveshaft and pinion so that they may be installed in their original position.

    Fig. 1: Matchmark the driveshaft flanges before removing the driveshaft

    Fig. 2: If so equipped, be sure to also matchmark the balance washers

  3. Remove the four bolts which secure the driveshaft to the pinion flange.
  4. Lower the back end of the driveshaft and slide the front end out of the transmission.
  5. Plug up the hole in the transmission to prevent it from leaking.

    NOTE: Use an old U-joint yoke or, if none is available, place a plastic bag secured with rubber bands over the hole.

  6. To install, slide the front end of the driveshaft into the transmission and raise the rear end of the shaft onto the pinion flange making sure that the matchmarks are aligned properly. Install the flange bolts and torque to 25–27 ft. lbs. (34–37 Nm).
  7. Lower the vehicle.
1979–82 626

The driveshaft used on 626 models is removed in a manner similar to that outlined for GLC models. The only difference in the removal procedure is that the center bearing must be unbolted prior to driveshaft removal. Remove the driveshaft and the center bearing as a single unit.

NOTE: Do not remove the oil seals and the center bearing from the support unless they are defective.

Installation is performed in the reverse order of removal. Tighten the center bearing support bolts to 27–38 ft. lbs. (37–51 Nm) for the 626 and the driveshaft-to-pinion flange bolts to 25–27 ft. lbs. (34–37 Nm).

929
  1. Raise the rear end of the car and support it using jackstands.

    CAUTION
    Be sure that the car is securely supported. Remember, you will be working underneath it.

  2. Matchmark the flanges on the driveshaft and pinion so that they may be installed in their original position.
  3. Remove the four bolts which secure the driveshaft to the pinion flange.
  4. Remove the bolts, washers, bushings and spacers that secure the center bearing support bracket.
  5. Lower the back end of the driveshaft and slide the front end out of the transmission.

    NOTE: Transmission fluid may flow out of the rear of the transmission when the yoke is removed, so either use the turning holder (tool number 49 S120 440) or a used driveshaft yoke to plug the transmission.

    Fig. 3: Exploded view of driveshaft assembly — 929

    To install:

  6. Slide the front end of the driveshaft into the transmission and raise the rear end of the shaft onto the pinion flange, making sure that the matchmarks are aligned properly.

    Fig. 4: Driveshaft alignment — 929

  7. Torque the flange bolts to 36–43 ft. lbs. (49–58 Nm).
  8. Using the exploded view as a guide, assemble the washers, bushings and spacers onto the support bracket bolts, then install the bracket onto center bearing. Torque the bracket bolts to 27–38 ft. lbs. (37–51 Nm).
  9. Check the front and rear driveshafts for proper alignment (see illustration) after the center bearing support is in place and torqued down. If the shafts are not aligned as shown, adjust the height of the center bearing support bracket with shims and bolts which may be purchased at your local Mazda dealer.
RX-7
  1. Raise the rear of the car and support it on jackstands.
  2. Matchmark the position of the rear driveshaft, pinion yokes and balance washers so that the driveshaft will be installed in the same position and to avoid the possibility of vibration problems.
  3. Remove the four attaching bolts at the rear of the driveshaft, and remove the driveshaft toward the rear of the vehicle, sliding it out of the back of the transmission.

    NOTE: Transmission fluid may flow out of the rear of the transmission when the yoke is removed, so insert use the turning holder (tool number 49-0259-440) into the rear of the housing or a used driveshaft yoke to lug the transmission.

  4. Install the driveshaft in the reverse order of removal. Be careful not to damage the rear transmission seal when installing the driveshaft on the splined shaft in the transmission. Make sure you align the matchmarks made earlier on the driveshaft yokes and balance washers. The yokes on the driveshaft and the rear axle must be aligned as they were when removed or the driveshaft may be out of balance and cause vibration. Tighten the bolts to 25–27 ft. lbs. (34–37 Nm) on 1979–85 models and 36–43 ft. lbs. (49–58 Nm) on 1986–89 models.

    If a new driveshaft was installed and the vehicle is experiencing vibration problems, the driveshaft may have to be balanced. Balancing is performed by placing weights on the flange bolts at different locations on the flange. The balance weights are available in 0.12 oz. (3.4 g) and 0.20 oz. (5.7 g) sizes from your local Mazda dealer.

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