To drive around with a cracked diff carrier (cracked where mazda intended it to on the arm)? Just found out it was cracked when I looked under the car today :(. I need the car, and may not have the monies to replace the carrier... thoughts?

 

How far are we talking? You MIGHT be able to limp it a few miles, but to drive around on it for a couple weeks? ehh I just don't see it happening

 

I don't claim to be any expert but if the arm itself is cracked could it be welded? I seem to remember some reference to this but I can't remember where I saw it. Of course, this assumes you can weld aluminum or know someone who can. Seems like it would at least be better than driving around with it cracked.

 

people have welded them before

 

Well if I get an internship next semester, I would need to drive it to Pittsburgh and we have a tig there that I can weld aluminum with. It is a 300 miles drive tho.

 

I guess that I should have added that I'm really asking the above question for my general knowledge as much as presenting a possible solution. - I'm hoping someone with more experience will chime in.

 

You "can" weld it, but welding cast aluminum is a MAJOR PITA and rarely holds

 

I know people have welded it, I just wonder how it will take 300 miles of highway driving.

edit - thanks chpm, I had not idea about the weld-ability of cast alum, hell just regular aluminum is hard to weld. I would have a nice miller tig to do it with tho.

 

Is it broke and hanging, or just cracked?

If just cracked and your desperate, duct tape FTW!

 

Ha Ha - I"d like a picture of that!

 

It is cracked a little further out on the arm than this one. AKA it is now just supported by the one arm and the PPF.

 

that and superglue.
when I shattered a transmission all it took was a tube of superglue and some time and the gear was back together and still holds.

 

Superglue? Comon man, JB weld all the way.

 

JB Weld and rubbing alcohol.

 

lol, I could actually try to jb weld it. Whats the worst that can happen, it breaks again? haha

 

i mean thats the break point, if it broke anywhere else, dunno what your deal is.

 

Seriously? JB weld? LOL
Might as well have hustler ejaculate on it. Even that will hold better.

 

Something of that caliper is not needed. I heard his seminal fluid is stronger then a weld.....

 

It will also cause a CV joint to lock up when it completely breaks in half....and that my friends is not much fun.