PPF problems....
 

So I slapped a new, used diff in the rear end of my NA and I’m running into an issue. The PPF isn’t wanting to line up and bolt in. Am I missing something here?

for what it’s worth I can’t rememebrr what year the diff is from.

From memory the 1.6 and 1.8 diffs use different spacers.
But don't quote me on that.


Assuming it's all the same, the PPF is just an absolute dick to line up and install, mainly due to Mazda's insistence on using those stupid spacers instead of just making shit fit the first time.

I remember it taking a lot of prying, rubber mallet, and swearing before it finally slid into place.

+1 on it being a MASSIVE pain in the @%%. I will never separate the Diff from the PPF again, that spacer is an absolute nightmare. I dont think i had to use a different spacer when i put a 99 diff in my 92, but i could be mistaken.

If you do manage to get it to line up don't forget to torque them. It's not fun when you don't, ask me how I know..

Also loctite them.

From memory the factory stuff is the green wicking one, but blue works fine.

Dont use red, you'll never get the fuckers out again.

Hrm. So i can't actually relate to this one. If the bolts come out, taking the PPF off or putting it back on is cake in my world.

Yeah you’re probably not using the correct method when removing the ppf. Unclipping the wiring harness takes longer than undoing the bolts.

The time consuming part for me has been trying to get that spacer in between the PPF and the top of the diff. maybe there is a different spacer for the NB's that i dont have.

You should not need to remove that spacer. Remove the PPF from the trans side first and tilt/rock a little. The spacer with captured nuts should slide out with a light tap of the rubber mallet. I learned that putting it back on is much easier front first and rear after.

I just drop the PPF with the diff and remove the PPF off the car. The secret is to do it so often and use anti-seeze on the plugs and bolts.

Getting the bastard off was easy, getting it back on is proving to be the bitch from hell. Just so I’m clear, it’s possible, I just have to put on my man panties and get rough?

Usually it's the opposite. Hard to remove and a song to install

Which side should I put on first? Transmission or diff?

on mine I found it much easier to do the diff first.

The gearbox end seems a lot more forgiving when it comes to sliding it in place.

I always install the PPF on the diff first outside the car.

It's so fucking easy, wtf.

Remove the spacer in the diff first, that way the other three bolts keep the PPF in place and it isn't jammed on the spacer. Once out, put the non-shouldered bolt in a few threads and smash it up to remove both nuts from the top of the diff. Remove the three front bolts, then the ppf comes off both trans and diff at once. I'm assuming exhaust is already removed, as it should be for any diff or trans removal anyways.

HKS And Midtenn, thanks for the input. The diff is already in The car, but it’s not like I can’t take it off again... begrudgingly.... lol

Disengage the parking brake, that'll allow the diff nose to pivot and match the ppf angle of the dangle.

I didn’t have to remove the diff, thank God... but for some reason I couldn’t get one of the bolts on the forward part of the ppf in again. Annoyingly. Still, everything else is on, PPF, diff, prop shaft..., not complaining. All the wires are on, blah blah blah. Thank you all for your inputs and assistance!

Ooh shit, forgot to install the shifter... lol