Tailshaft Noise

[Schultzy]

Hey guys this is my first post and first MX5 so any advice is appreciated.

I have a '90 Eunos Roadster with about 80K on it. Went to the mechanics and got a Exedy heavy duty clutch put in but when i got it back, it made this horrible noise coming down in the rev range.

2 days off work later and many trips up and down the road, they worked out it was the bearings in the tailshaft. They mounted it on a different angle and the noise went away but has now come back.

The mechanics have told me they need to custom make a new one and will cost me about $500. Is this true? Can i get a second-hand item?

Cheers
Chris

[Juffa]

Hi Chris,

Welcome to the obsession. I have owned 3 MX-5s over the past 9 years and have this same issue, after the clutch was changed. I was told by one mechanic that it was due to bearings in the gear box....anyway to makea long story short, I recently replaced the diff in my current MX-5 with a Torsen LSD from a 2001 MX-5. This included replacing the tail shaft. Since doing that the gear box 'lash' noise has gone. I believe that tail shaft on the later model MX-5s has a heavy rubber damper built into it which has eliminated the noise.

So, while I have no idea as to what causes the noise, I do know one way of eliminating it.

J

[Craig]

These guys might have a second hand shaft to sell perhaps?

http://www.mx5plus.com.au/

[Schultzy]

ok thanks guys.

Juffa, if you dont mind me asking, what was the approximate cost on getting that new diff and tailshaft in?

[Boags]

ok thanks guys.

Juffa, if you dont mind me asking, what was the approximate cost on getting that new diff and tailshaft in?

MX5Plus - the one that Craig linked - sell them with low ks for around $1200. This is a larger diamter diff (not going to break any time soon) and is a factory TorSen LSD.

You can get the upgraded diff without LSD for much less though.

Boags

[Juffa]

If you do decide to upgrade to a later 1.8l model diff (Torsen or non-torsen) you also need the tail shaft, the two drive shafts and the nuts/bolts to attach the tail shaft to the diff, as the 1.6l tail shaft and drive shafts are not compatiable with the later model diff.
I paid about $1800 for the lot. I installed it myself. The main reason at the time was to prepare for a major increase in power due to a planned turbo install. A side benefit of the new diff was the elimination of the dreaded noise.

J