Drive Train / Diff Noise

[NA Mike]

Greetings Everybody,
My '93 NA Classic Red LE is 'whining' poor girl. 178K's and hasn't had a hard life but an unpleasant noise from diff is now in play. Been on mates hoist, run in gear and even with a stethoscope, could not pin point the noise from the diff. The noise is speed related even when coasting out of gear.
Your thoughts and guidance please. I'll need the work done so any suggestions for a workshop or service joint other than Mazda dealers, in the St George district in Sydney, would be heaps appreciated.
Mike

[StanTheMan]

Classic Red LE suggests it is an NA6? .

drive it until it breaks. tow it home when the time comes & replace the diff with a 1.8 one

a 1.8 conversion. which includes a drive shaft & 2 half shafts .

the 1.8 diff is 7" as opposed to 6 inch for the 1.6

the 1.6 diff is quite weak.
I did mine almost 16 years ago with about 220K km on the clock.

ort you couuld try to find a replacement diff. Hope ity lasts a while

or replace the centre with an LSD.

but your pinion ring can also still break as it is also toothpick weak.

[greenMachine]

Wot he said ^^^.

I'd start assembling the bits now, and act before it leaves you stranded. The job is pretty straightforward, everything just bolts up.

Of course, if it already has the 7in diff it is a different situation altogether, and would require a more precise diagnosis.

[Ross]

Hi Mike,
Could also be a wheel bearing, another common failure/wear item.
I just did mine and it sounded like what you are describing.

[NA Mike]

Gee Stan.....I'm a ruined this 70 year old this arvo. NA 1.6 I believed was 'perrrfect', without any weaknesses but you've brought me back to reality.....6" diff weak.......pinion ring, toothpick weak:( Only joking of course......you've experienced this years ago and have shared your fix. Thanks.
Ross....wheel bearing also a good possibility.
Green Guru....appreciate your point. I need to get to it.....just got to find a shop to attend to my NA as I don't have the nouse nor am I set-up. St George area or anywhere in Sydney!
Appreciate your pointers, guys.
Mike

[StanTheMan]

once you install a 1.8 diff with a torsen center ..... it will be perfect.

[ben wilson]

How old are your tyres?

My NA6 and my old AW11 both had what sounded like some sort of transmission noise until I changed the old, hard tyres that were on the cars when I got them.

[pdsman53]

MX5Mania send their Diff rebuilds to "Hornsby Diff and Transmission Specialists".
(02) 9477 6396