Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkB
It's obvious where the rear cradle is weak as it is open rectangles with no triangulation and the diff is fixed to this.
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Before we all start getting emotional on this lets understand the problem!
It is how the diff is mounted to the chassis not chassis flex itself that has caused the problem. The diff has moved because its
not fixed to the chassis in a way that constrains the movement of the diff nose. Quite simply the diff nose mounting rubber has too much movement in it. The nose of the diff rises as a reaction to the road wheels driving forward, the twist on the alluminium diff carrier exceeds the strength of the carrier and it fails exactly as in the pictures NTS posted.
What is needed is a better diff nose mounting arangement to constrain the movement. As said previously, Mazda designed the diff mounts for vibration isolation rather than to constrain torque reaction.
I like the way MNR have mounted the two rear mounts but they do still have diff problems - just view the locost usa site and have a look.
BV
