Mazda 3 Service Manual: Drive Shaft Removal/Installation

CAUTION:

• Performing the following procedures without first removing the ABS wheel-speed sensor may possibly cause an open circuit in the wiring harness if it is pulled by mistake. Before performing the following procedures, disconnect the ABS wheel-speed sensor connector (axle side) and fix the wiring harness to an appropriate place where it will not be pulled by mistake while servicing the vehicle.

NOTE:

• The right-side drive shaft of MZR 2.3 DISI Turbo equipped vehicles cannot be disassembled. Therefore, replace the front drive shaft as a single unit if there is any malfunction of the boots, boot bands, or constant velocity joints.

1. Remove the aerodynamic under cover No.2 and splash shield as a unit..

2. Drain the transaxle oil or ATF..

3. Remove in the order indicated in the table.

4. Install in the reverse order of removal.

Drive Shaft Removal Note

1. Install a spare nut onto the drive shaft.

2. Tap the nut with a copper hammer and separate the drive shaft from the axle.

3. Separate the drive shaft from the wheel hub.

4. Separate the drive shaft (LH) from the transaxle using the SSTs

.

CAUTION:

• Be careful not to damage the transaxle oil seal with the bar.

5. Disconnect the drive shaft (RH) from the joint shaft by tapping the transaxle side outer ring with a brass bar and hammer.

6. Install the SST to the transaxle after the drive shaft is removed.

Drive Shaft Clip Installation Note

1. Install a new drive shaft clip to the clip groove at the end of the drive shaft with the clip opening facing upward.

2. After installation, measure the outer diameter.

• If it exceeds the specification, repeat installation using a new clip.

Standard

• MZR 2.0, SKYACTIV-G 2.0, MZR 2.5: 31.2 mm {1.23 in}

• MZR 2.3 DISI Turbo: 33.2 mm {1.31 in}

Drive Shaft Installation Note

Left side

CAUTION:

• The sharp edges of the drive shaft can slice or puncture the oil seal. Be careful when installing the drive shaft to the transaxle.

1. Apply transaxle oil to the oil seal lip.

2. Apply grease (L2Y1 33247) to the wheel bearing inner race and drive shaft contact surface (Area A in figure).

3. Insert the drive shaft into the wheel hub.

4. Install the drive shaft to the transaxle.

5. After installation, pull the transaxle side outer ring forward to confirm that the drive shaft is securely held by the clip.

Right side

1. Install a new clip onto the joint shaft..

2. Apply grease (L2Y1 33247) to the wheel bearing inner race and drive shaft contact surface (Area A in figure).

3. Insert the drive shaft to the wheel hub.

4. Inspect the drive shaft and spline shown in the figure for grease.

• Grease: Additional grease application is unnecessary.

• No grease or drive shaft is newly replaced: Apply grease to the spline as shown in the figure.

  

  
  

5. Insert the drive shaft to the joint shaft.

6. After installation, pull the transaxle side outer ring forward to confirm that the drive shaft is securely held by the clip.

Front Lower Arm Ball Joint Installation Note

NOTE:

• The bolt insertion direction can be either front or rear of the vehicle, however, keep the insertion direction the same on both the left and right sides of the vehicle.