A co-worker has a Mazda RX-7 that was making a noise he couldn't identify. I
listened to it and diagnosed a worn rear u-joint. Off he goes to the parts
store and buys a replacement, and he and I set about replacing it. When I got
under the car and looked, I saw that the bearing cups were retained by crimping,
rather than the usual circlips --- but hey, he had the replacement joint. We
forced the cups out, then discovered that the replacement cups were way too
small to fit. A recheck with the parts store and the Mazda dealer determined
that you can't replace the u-joints --- you have to buy a new drive shaft, at
$400 plus! Jeez! Talk about disrespect for the consumer!
Steve Byers
Havelock, NC USA
'73 Midget GAN5UD126009G "OO NINE"
"It is better to remain silent, and be thought a fool
than to speak, and remove all doubt" -- Mark Twain
----- Original Message -----
From HFC <froggi at cdsnet.net>
To: James Algar <JamesA@HI-TORQUE.com>
Cc: Spridget List <spridgets@autox.team.net>; 'Larry Cogan' <woodrat@spacey.net>
Sent: Wednesday, April 12, 2000 9:40 PM
Subject: Re: U Joint Zerk 70 Midget
> ...get this. You can't even replace U's on a Mazda 929. A tranny shop takes
> your drive shaft, cuts and modifies to accept replaceable U-Joints! Where's
> the logic here. I'm sure there are others like this.
>
> WFO
>
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