Driveshafts
 

Basically I had a knocking CV joint so I got hold of a spare driveshaft from someone who bought a new one from Mazdas for the same reason. They paid £450 for a new one which naturally I really don't want to pay! So I got mine reconditioned for £85. Came back sweet, took mine off and compared them, look exactly the same, sweet! I've not even driven 100 miles and was travelling at 'speed' in 6th gear tonight and it's blown the joint to pieces. Cv grease has gone everywhere including over my glowing exhaust so the car filled with smoke, thought I'd blown the engine until I realised!!

Basically I'm wondering if the MS3 shaft is different from a normal Mazda 3 shaft? I'm wondering if the overdrive system the MS3 uses proved too much for the driveshaft if I was just given parts that are meant for a lower model? Any help appreciated!!

MS3 torque > MZ3 torque

I should certainly hope the ms3 shafts are beefed up over the mz3.

Sorry what's an MZ3?

I would presume the driveshafts are significantly better, but I was wondering if anyone thinks that 'lesser' parts could be used? Surely the large shaft or CV joint would mean the parts from a smaller engined Mazda wouldn't be the same? I honestly am just guessing that's why I asked on here as I thought maybe somebody would have a know how and when I take my shaft back tomorrow to complain I'll have a clue what I'm talking about lol

Refer back to your question. I'm sure you'll figure it out.

three letter acronym for mazda3 ... it certainly isnt an M3

Yeah I googled it lol, I'll have to ring the company and say I think I've been given a shaft that's not built to take the pain

yes you got the shaft

The regular 3 with abs 06+ has the same hub splines as the speed 3, but the driveshaft is thiner onthe regular 3 and the splines for the tranny do not match up. I know this because I swapped a 6speed into my regular 3 and have done extensive research on this. You cannot use a 5speed axle with a 6speed tranny for the first gens.