2004 Mazda - Limited Slip Differential

That Puppy very probably have a bend out steering rod link in that area. I will bring it to your favorite shop to check it out underneath. Check it out!

MazdaTorque,

MC

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What makes you think it's the LSD?

So you've had the wheel and tire replaced, is that it? Did you do that yourself or some shop?

Have you personally taken the wheel off and looked? You shouldn't have to know a lot to see if something is bent or wrong. If nothings wrong then get it aligned and if you haven't done that yet.

First step, I think, is a four wheel alignment, any hard hit tends to through out the alignment. Death wobble is normally front suspension issues. Did the front take even a small hit?

A hit on the rear corner, with enough force to damage the wheel may have also damaged the internals of the shock absorber, or it's mount. Might have also bent a sway bar, or the rear centering link. I have never been under an RX8 so I am not completely familiar with the suspension design.

Good luck, and please let us know how things turn out.

That was the frist step, front end shop said it was out and put it back in. said he didn't see any damaged parts, he seem to think it mite in the LSD. On impack front wheel hit frist and when rear wheel hit the six inch fuel cap, stood up and knoked a hole in center of rim causing car to jump in air. Rear diff. has CV axles with coil springs. I was wondering if the impact could have damage the LSD from the difference in size in the tires when the car hit the payment.

Thanks Sam

Your alignment is probably out of whack, have a four-point done. This usually manifests itself as vibration at certain speeds and uneven tire wear but not always. I had a slightly loose ball joint and bent tie-rod and never noticed it until I went in for inspection and the car failed. Personally, I wouldn't trust the dealer. Find a good, independent auto mechanic. They are worth their weight in gold.

The LSD does not have anything to do with this.

I will assume that the tires are all the same brand and in good condition.

Take the car to a specialty shop that does 4-wheel chassis alignment.

I would avoid that dealer.

Sounds like a goofed up shock. Also check the rear suspension links by photographing the ones on your car and a car like it with no damage and compare the photos. If you bent something, you will be looking for bushings that are compressed away from normal. Once the bent stuff is fixed at a suspension shop that also has a frame shaper you may then align it.

I agree with the others that A) this has nothing to do with the limited slip and yes I do believe you when you say it has one. It was an option on some trim levels and standard on others, but that is beside the point. B) you should get a four wheel wheel alignment done. Like the others, I suspect bent parts. The rear suspenson is a multi-link set up and it is possible to have a component bent and still "look good".

I have another concern though and that is, if you went over something hard enough to do that much damge to the rear, what happened at the front of the car? I can't imagine a type of impact that would do the type of damage you described and not touch the front of the car. Unless of course you were sliding sideways when you went over what-ever-it-was.

In any case, how it happened is immaterial, getting it fixed is the important part. By the way, the four wheel alignment will also let you know if there is a problem in the front end as well. It is possible to have minor damge at each end that is difficult to spot and the net effect is a car that is barely driveable.

Go back to your dealer and get the shop forman or service manager to go with you on a test drive (you may have to pay for their time) over a near by road that will recreate the problem you describe. Once someone in the dealer service centre has experienced the problem you describe, they should be able to do more than "look" at it. If they can't then it is time to find a new dealer.

The tire and wheel that you used to replace the damaged set may not have the same offset. If this is the case, you can test by moving the new tire/ wheel to the opposite side. This would move the pull to the other direction.

Other than that, I would suspect the strut, or shock. Because the car pulls when accelerating, and is loose on bumpy roads, it should not be too hard to bounce your parked car, and compare the reactions from side to side. I hope this helps.

It was in the LSD. I had one new tire and one tire with 40% wear, which was causing the LSD to make the car pull left when you accelerate.

Thanks for your time and input

Sam

Thanks for taking the time to respond with the cure. We are all smarter for your decision to reply. Enjoy the ride.

Hi and sorry to piggy back on the end of this thread but it seems answered and my issue is much the same.

I lost control in the wet going round a long bend (so was moveing reasonably quick). The car spun 180 degrees (rx8 40th anv) and had a really hard impact agaist the kerb. drivers side rear took most of the impact taking a chunk out of the kerb. that wheel is slightly buckled, but i have been told it is repairable. The car took off a bit and mounted the pavement. The passenger rear (inside) also has visable kerb damage. The car was almost un drivable but i went to a kwiwk fit and had all four wheels aligned (they where all way off). They told me about the drivers rear wheel being slightly buckled. Anyway the car now drives fine with no wobble or rattles. There is however a slight whine/rubbing/vibration/electric motor (hard to describe but a mix of all really) type noise that is most noticable at 65 MPH. The noise seems to be from under the rear seats when im driving.

Could this be the LSD and if so do i need to worry about it? the car has only done 4.5k miles.

Stuart

You should have the wheels and axles checked for run out. The noise sounds like it might be a wheel bearing. If it is a wheel bearing, it will be worse when driven in a left turn or curve. Better on a right. Good luck.

The CV joint could have been damaged and causing the noise/vibration. That problem would be easiest to detect by applying power, and then backing all the way off the throttle. A bad CV joint will usually be noisier under load then when unloaded. Good luck.

thanks for the reply bob. I will get the bearings checked at a local garage.

The noise is only realy noticable on the motor way and as said mainly at around 65mph. I tried applying power and backing of, the noise is much the same. But the pitch or tone of the noise changes. The best way to describe it is if your flymow hover mower blade was slightly off balance or maybe even slightly touching somthing as it spun.

not sure if that description helps at all.

You might wont to put it on a car lift with it running and in gear and see if your rims are bent or warped,plus you might be able to run down were the noise is coming from. It does have a carbon fiber driveshaft. Also you may wont to drop the oil in the LSD to see if you have any metal shaving in it . This is just a subjection.

Hope this helps Sam