UPDATE: My broken MSP (tranny/differential)

[03BlkMicaSPD]

Got the call from Mazda today. They told me that where the shaft from the transmission that goes into the differential (at least thats what im assuming) had a broke whatever it was connected to. He said something about a ring that was welded and it broke in half. I didnt get really what part he was trying to say that it was but he just said it was part of the transmission assembly. My transmission does not have to be replaced but the part is nowhere to be found right now he said. He also mentioned that he noticed that some of the local dealers had the exact part on order also, so hearing that makes me think this part may be a weak point in the tranny/diff setup. Will post when I have more on this. So far Al Smith Mazda has done nothing but be helpful! Said it was covered under warranty no questions asked. (first) But he did comment on the tire wear, and I just mentioned that they had quite the low treadwear raiting.

 

[sychofreak]

hey man, I didn't even know your car was broken.... when did that happen???

 

[charles]

What is up with these transaxles lately?(poke)

 

[mspdfreak]

too many clutch dumps.

 

[03BlkMicaSPD]

Never Dumped the clutch... Thats the stupidest thing you could ever do, it just causes wheelspin and destroys the clutch/tranny.

 

[03BlkMicaSPD]

If you read some old posts, there is a part in the differential that is only spotwelded three times and is pretty weak. I am almost certain this is the part that went in mine.

 

[03BlkMicaSPD]

End of last week Jason, driving completely civilized, while going to work and it went crunch and wouldnt go anymore in 1st while I was releasing the clutch.

 

[K-S-W]

Al Smith mazda backs up there warranty issues. I have not had a bad exp. with them yet.

 

[KyRaceFan]

This is the 4th or 5th diff to go. Definately noticing a trend here with that bad spot welds holding the diff together..
Let us know how your dealer experiance goes.

Also, im goin over to the speed shop fixing gcottons car on friday. I'll take pics of his diff and highlight what is broken.

 

[03BlkMicaSPD]

Definetly do that. I just got off the phone with them, it was that part in the differential. I asked him and he was suprised that I knew what part it was. I asked if they could have it welded and he said they couldnt do that. So I said if I had it strengthened would it affect my warrenty, and he said if we were to take it apart and see it welded then it might. I just thought well, the next time it breaks, you can pay for it again then.

 

[Heathen23]

I've had nothing but bad experiences with them. They attempted to deny my warranty for a cracked exhaust because I had a turbo timer. My first free oil change they failed to put the cap back on. The people that work there act like they are doing you a favor by getting off their asses. Just my 0.2. I no longer go to Al Smith.

Good Luck with your tranny! Glad they are treating you right.

 

[gboromsp]

Does anyone know how much the part is if it breaks? If mine should break i'll buy the part and fix it myself, and make some more spot welds on that thing so it doesn't happen again.

 

[CatD399]

Sorry for threadjacking, but clutch dumping is only when you start off, or also when you shift while rolling?


end of (jacked) .

 

[INGREXCO]

i did the exact same thing and i never dump the clutch...

 

[KyRaceFan]

Does anyone know how much the part is if it breaks? If mine should break i'll buy the part and fix it myself, and make some more spot welds on that thing so it doesn't happen again.

IIRC its about 1000 for a new diff from Mazda
plus about 14 hours labor at 99 an hour.

 

[INGREXCO]

i need to get the pics online.. (don't know when) but i took pictures of my lsd after they took it out of the car. they claimed it was a solid cast piece but it looked like it snapped to cleanly to be that way.

 

[t3ase]

$1379, I believe.

 

[KyRaceFan]

rofl... theres no way the diff is a solid cast piece.

Pics friday..

 

[03BlkMicaSPD]

Al Smith has a new Mazda Service Manager, His name is Ashley and he moved there from Capitol, I believe he is why Al Smith service is now good. He did all my warrenty work at Capitol before he moved to Al Smith and he always tries to please the customer. Good guy. PS: the car is going to be done today so I might have it back. He said if I was to have it welded all the way around it would void the warrenty if it could be the cause of something else to break in the tranny. So untill my 50000 mile warrenty is over, I will just let them replace the part. Then I will weld it

 

[t3ase]

Thread moved to MSP Engine & Performance.