The Ohio Random Thread... aka We Should Probably Be Working

No the boot can't be replaced. You can try jimmy rigging it back together and getting some fresh grease in there but you will have to replace the axle eventually. I got a used OEM one for $100 shipped a while back from one of the Mazda junkyards in CA, I ended up selling it to Jake.

I'll save you the time in research... Don't waste your time with cheap ones from Rock Auto or whatever, many people have reported that they break. New ones are $300-ish from Mazda Motorsports.

Thanks for the info. I'll probably end up getting one from Mazdaspeed or find a used one. I may jimmy rig it until I can get a new one. Hopefully I can get a new one and install it before the 2nd annual Corey invitational
 
If I were you I'd get one from MazToy, The Parts Group, or Specialized Parts Planet. Or, I think fatti might have one, I'm not sure what he's parting out right now.
 
I thought autozone sold two piece boots for this situation? I've never had to do it, just know I've seen them before.


If Nelson got a full repave would you guys be more willing to go there for organized track(HPDE) days and/or Fundays?
 
any symptoms? or just happened to see it?

Everything feels tight, but I can hear something knocking around when going over bumps at low speeds. Don't really notice it while on the highway. I can actually feel the knocking through the floor by my feet.
 
I thought autozone sold two piece boots for this situation? I've never had to do it, just know I've seen them before.

I looked around everywhere and I never found anything. I had a bunch of grease all over the lower control arm and ended up buying an axle just in case.

If Nelson got a full repave would you guys be more willing to go there for organized track(HPDE) days and/or Fundays?

I usually go there once or twice a year for organized HPDEs with the PCA despite the crappy pavement.
 
#2 get a new shaft ASAP. Think about how fast that badboy spins and how quickly the grease is being forced out of the boot. It may not have much grease left in it now and the longer you wait the more grease is flung out of it and when it goes dry it will fail.

Jess, I would love to go to Nelson after a repave. I'd like to go now but it looks pretty sketchy to me.
 
As far as Nelson goes... the track is rough, but what's worse is the runoff area. Very uneven and/or non-existent. Particularly the carousel area. I've seen first hand people go over the tires and end up on their roof or wedges against trees. Bad news.
 
#2 get a new shaft ASAP. Think about how fast that badboy spins and how quickly the grease is being forced out of the boot. It may not have much grease left in it now and the longer you wait the more grease is flung out of it and when it goes dry it will fail.

Ya I'm already searching for a replacement.
 
When I was a youngster there was a guy down the street with some sort of Porsche (iirc) that went to nelson all the time. I remember thinking that dude was like a rockstar because he had a racecar.
 
Found someone selling MS3 axles on Ebay. Says it's 100% brand new, OE quality. You guys think this will be good? Or does it looks like it's just a cheap replacement axle (like the cheap ones from rock auto, etc)?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-New-DTA-CV-Axle-Driver-Side-Mazda-3-MazdaSpeed-Model-2-3L-Turbo-Manual-Only-/130926337961?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1e7bd15fa9&vxp=mtr

If it's not OE don't waste your time. Ask Jake, he broke a non-OE deal.
 
Yeah, but Jake also has a million and a half horsepower too... LOL
 
Ya I had a feeling it wasn't actually OE. I know for a lot of parts, it's recommended to replace both sides (like brakes and suspension stuff). Is this the case with axles or will I be good just replacing the driver side axle? I checked the passenger side and the boots look good, no tears.
 
Jake has 400whp and was on a sticky drag strip with sticky tires. But I would still go OEM. And you can just replace the one, no need for both.
 
Ya I had a feeling it wasn't actually OE. I know for a lot of parts, it's recommended to replace both sides (like brakes and suspension stuff). Is this the case with axles or will I be good just replacing the driver side axle? I checked the passenger side and the boots look good, no tears.

I've done just one before. Never had an issue. I always looked at those as "Replace as needed" type of items.
 
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