Tailshaft -notchy uni joints

PhilM · Postby **PhilM** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 10:01 am

I was investigating a vibration that I noticed when coming home from the last track day - its noticable when accelerating in 5th at 3000rpm (there is no wheel balance vibration), I put it on stands an run it in 5th gear and teh back of the gbox was vibrating.
I also noticed the tail shaft was not fitted to the factory alignment marks -90deg out. so I removed the shaft and found the uni joints very notchy in 1 direction at both ends. I inspected 1 other NA and 1 NB shaft thinking I would get a 2nd hand one - but both these were similarly notchy in their movement ?
As mine also has a lot of scoring on the spline tube where it goes into the bush I have decided to get another new one, you cant replace the unis as they are pressed in - Mazda $460.00 or $450.00 for a custom built with heavy duty unis that can be replaced. Im going for a custom built by Gibsons in Newcastle

Has anyone else noticed the problem - I suspect that as the uni moves through a very small angle due to the PPF, it wears out in the 1 spot.
I hope it fixes the vibration.
Phil

pcmx5 · Postby **pcmx5** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 7:49 am

Phil,

I had a vibration a year or two back and the garage found that one of the rear uni's had \"frozen\", gave it a hard hit and it freed up.

Very interested in your prices for both the genuine and other replacement, seem very cheap compared to what I got quoted at the time I was having dramas.

Can you let me know what you do and how it turns out please?

Thanks,

Peter

pcmx5 · Postby **pcmx5** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 3:58 pm

pcmx5 wrote:Phil,

I
Can you let me know what you do and how it turns out please?

Thanks,

Peter

Hi Phil, any feedback on your new tailshaft?

Peter

PhilM · Postby **PhilM** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 9:20 pm

Update on tailshaft
I replaced tailshaft with a custom built one from Gibsons in Newcastle -$450.00. They made it with 25mm cups (heavy duty Holden) which can be replaced unlike the OEM ones. On the 1st run - to the Hunter xmas party - the vibration was gone but on the way home when accelerating upa hill it started bumping the Cat heat shield. after backing off and on the throttle the rattle went??. there was no vibration felt in the gear lever.
I bent the heatshield out of the way about 10mm and have not had any problems since.

Gibsons have all the dimentions and have made many other Mx5 shafts, they were good to deal with.
I also fitted a new OEM gearbox oil seal and gear lever boot seals.