Diff Axle Shafts

dimarg · Postby **dimarg** » Sat Apr 19, 2014 2:00 am

Hi MX5 Brains Trust,

So I've finally picked myself up an LSD in carrier housing to stick in my NB, but whilst trying to install it with a mate tonight we came across an issue.

The housing of the diff to be installed has flanges to bolt the axle shafts onto, although the standard axle shafts have no such flanges nor does the current open diff.

Do I need different axle shafts or can these flange mounts be removed from the housing that is to be installed?

Kind regards,
Giuls.

cookie · Postby **cookie** » Sat Apr 19, 2014 8:44 am

I did read this last night when searching for "backlash" for my own problem and those stubs come out. Whether or not the new ones are the same I cannot remember sorry. There's just held in with a circlip. I've always removed the hub nut the pulled it out of the hub and the just given it a quick sharp pull and they just easily pop out. And you don't wreck the seals if you're being a tight ass like me.

green_comet · Postby **green_comet** » Sat Apr 19, 2014 9:56 am

The early model MX5's had 2 piece axles with flanges that bolt onto the diff. Mazda changed the design later on to one piece axles with small c clips to hold them in the diff.

dimarg · Postby **dimarg** » Sat Apr 19, 2014 10:17 am

Thanks guys.

So green_comet, can these flanges on the housing be removed to accept the one piece axle? Or should I start looking for some two piece axles?

Cheers.

ralt · Postby **ralt** » Sat Apr 19, 2014 11:04 am

Hi.
By your description You have a na6 lsd which is more than likely a viscous.
If you have then your tailshaft will not bolt to the flange of the new diff.
Also you cannot use your driveshafts by removing the flanges from your new diff a completely different set up.
I would get a torsen centre in a housing and put it into the nb as you already have everything except the centre.
To put this unit in you would need na tailshaft, na driveshafts and end up with a rather weak set up.

dimarg · Postby **dimarg** » Sat Apr 19, 2014 11:14 am

Hi ralt,

Thanks for the response.
I probably should clarify, it is a Torsen T1 in a 1.8 housing, although seemingly an early 1.8 housing.

The initial plan was just that, get a torsen in a 1.8 housing and just drop it in, however it seems I've gone for an early 1.8 housing which will not suit.

rossint · Postby **rossint** » Sat Apr 19, 2014 12:16 pm

The stub axles pop out of the diff then your one piece axles will work fine. I've just done this with my diff upgrade.

dimarg · Postby **dimarg** » Sat Apr 19, 2014 1:05 pm

Hi rossint,

Sorry for being a stickler, but just to clarify.

Does that mean the flanges come out of the diff, and one piece axles 'clip' in?

Cheers,
Giuls.

ralt · Postby **ralt** » Sat Apr 19, 2014 1:50 pm

Hi.
I would trial fit one of the axles in the car as I assume you have a complete torsen in its housing?
If so put one of your axles in the the diff centre and see if it clicks in. If so lever the axle you have trial fitted from the centre and remove the flanges install the diff in your housing.l You may have take the bolts top and bottom out of the upright with the hub and brakes attached and move it out to get your axles into the housing. Be careful not to stretch the rubber brake line. Have fun.

ralt · Postby **ralt** » Sat Apr 19, 2014 1:59 pm

Hi.
Just thought if you trial fit it may be difficult to get the axle out of the centre as it will be difficult to lever out not being in the housing. Just remove the flanges and fit the centre the axles should click in.

rossint · Postby **rossint** » Sat Apr 19, 2014 2:35 pm

I had the same situation you have, only going into a 1.6. Early 1.8 diff housing with the flanges and later model 1 piece shafts.
Flanges pop out to allow the one piece axles go into the diff housing.
At first I thought I'd have to find the 2 piece axles but it wasn't the case.