U-Joints Question...

I was going to change my u-joints. ALL 3 of them. So i took the drive shaft out, and took the middle u joint out,and was going to take the front u joint out (the one from the tranny to the DS) and I noticed it was smaller and theres no retaining spring. Also it looks like it cant be punched out because of the metal notches holding the cap in. The rear one is the same way.

Are these supposed to come out? And be changed? The middle one was the one that was bad, but i figured while i had it out i would change them all. If you want pictures of it i can get them tomorrow, but hopefully someone will have encounted this before and understand what im talking about. Anyways thanks for your help.

Dee

Mazda made em none replaceable gotta buy a new shaft although Devin (mazberrydelight) had found some that will fit

rockford driveline companents part #430-11

Edited: 6/27/2006 11:46:45 AM by aftershock

www.arizonadrivelines.com

look for the staked u-joints. arizona drivelines will sell you staked ujoints with a grease fitting as well.

you have to press them in yourself, make sure you know what you are doing

i replaced my front and rear when i first bagged the truck 2yrs ago.

arizona drivelines will also rebuild your shaft for you if you do not want to do it. 1peice mazda shaft is $195, 2peice @ $275

So basically, i just need to buy the correct "U-Joints" and Install them just like i did the center one correct? I mean, ill use a retainer spring, and fill it with grease just the same?

Also, how do i get them out? Since the metal is "Staked" (or whatever) Do I just press them out the same...and it will break free?

Thanks again for your help.
Dee

pretty much, press out, press in. just be careful, you can break them easy if you press them in even slightly crooked at start