I broke my 1.6 Differential
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 15,235
Total Cats: 1,700
From: Charleston SC
I have no reason to upgrade to some sort of 1.8 LSD on the DD. Quite frankly I really don't need a 1.8 diff in general. This is a bone stock car that probably has 80hp at the wheels on a good day. I just want it running as cheaply as humanly possible.
If the idff is set up correctly from the factory is the crap shoot. If it is, then it should last a good, long time. Note that I mentioned that the SM guys go through the diff to set tolerances correctly--something Mazda is known not to do. If the diff is set up improperly and there is too much play, then it will fail. Hopefully it fails in a manner that does not jamb the pinion, locking the rear wheels with it.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 15,235
Total Cats: 1,700
From: Charleston SC
The SM guys don't blow up their 6" diffs. They make sure that the diff is set up correctly, and most change gear oil before every event. Those are some hard driven cars.
If the idff is set up correctly from the factory is the crap shoot. If it is, then it should last a good, long time. Note that I mentioned that the SM guys go through the diff to set tolerances correctly--something Mazda is known not to do. If the diff is set up improperly and there is too much play, then it will fail. Hopefully it fails in a manner that does not jamb the pinion, locking the rear wheels with it.
If the idff is set up correctly from the factory is the crap shoot. If it is, then it should last a good, long time. Note that I mentioned that the SM guys go through the diff to set tolerances correctly--something Mazda is known not to do. If the diff is set up improperly and there is too much play, then it will fail. Hopefully it fails in a manner that does not jamb the pinion, locking the rear wheels with it.
Biotch please. I blew mine like a bauce on the track. I'm well aware. But for a stock 1.6 beater DD I wouldn't hesitate to save somewhere around $500 and put another 1.6 in.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 15,235
Total Cats: 1,700
From: Charleston SC
So basically this large nut that is behind the driveshaft came loose. It is what caused the separation. I am working on getting the old diff out now, and I should have another 1.6 diff to swap in later this afternoon.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 15,235
Total Cats: 1,700
From: Charleston SC
The thing it screwed on to had a ton of play so I am pretty sure I destroyed the inside of the diff.
Unfortunately that is no longer my biggest issue. Since the DD is 20 years old and was a commuter car in MD, it is full of rust. So take a guess at what bolt I broke.


That is right, the bolt that holds the diff to the subframe. So it looks like I might be swapping in a whole sub frame.
This whole thing is becoming annoying. I should torch the car and just buy my molester van today and be done with it.
Unfortunately that is no longer my biggest issue. Since the DD is 20 years old and was a commuter car in MD, it is full of rust. So take a guess at what bolt I broke.


That is right, the bolt that holds the diff to the subframe. So it looks like I might be swapping in a whole sub frame.
This whole thing is becoming annoying. I should torch the car and just buy my molester van today and be done with it.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 15,235
Total Cats: 1,700
From: Charleston SC
On another note. I should be getting my Turbo back Wednesday, it just needs to be overnighted from Japan. So I will be driving that car for the time being once it is together Wednesday evening.








