Mazda MX-3 silhouetteMX-3

DRIVE SHAFT

M-27prose procedure

Procedure distinguishes left-side drive shaft (transaxle) from right-side drive shaft (joint shaft).

Continued from M-26

Removal (continued)

  1. 3
    Separate the left-side drive shaft from the transaxle by prying with a bar inserted between the outer ring and the transaxle, as shown in the figure.
    Line drawing of the left-side drive shaft being separated from the transaxle by prying with a bar inserted between the outer ring and the transaxle. A pry bar is shown levering at the joint near the transaxle housing.
  2. 4
    Separate the right-side drive shaft from the joint shaft by hammering on a bar inserted between them.
    If the drive shaft will not come out of the front wheel hub easily, install an already discarded nut onto the drive shaft so that the nut is flush with the end of the drive shaft. Tap the nut with a copper hammer to loosen the drive shaft from the front wheel hub.
    Line drawing of the right-side drive shaft being separated from the joint shaft by hammering a bar inserted between them.

Installation Note

Clip

  1. 1
    Install a new clip onto the drive shaft.
    Line drawing of the drive shaft end splines and a clip, with arrows labeled ENDS (down) and UP indicating clip orientation. Dimension below the clip reads 32 mm (1.26 in) max for the clip outer diameter.
  2. 2
    Measure the outer diameter of the clip after installing, and replace the clip if it exceeds the specification.
Clip outer diametermax
32mm (1.26 in)

Drive shaft

Drive shaft

  1. 1
    Apply grease to the ends of the drive shafts.
    Line drawing of the drive shaft being pushed into the transaxle (left side) or joint shaft (right side) by hand, illustrating the installation step.
  2. 2
    Push the drive shaft into the transaxle (left side) or joint shaft (right side).
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