[mj.rx7]

So I have an 86 rx7 in decent shape but the front u joint just went, turns out the u joint is directly connected to the drive shaft which means I'd have to buy a new drive shaft.

Should I bother looking for a used on or just buy a new car????

[!SG]

looks and waits for raiden to answer this...

[mj.rx7]

hahaha ya i'm kind of waiting for that to

[hk20000]

a driveshaft is a driveshaft. call Pat's automotive in Langley see if they can get you one. They install on site too.

My JDM tyte Galant VR4 had one (of three!) replaced there $115 drive in drive out good as new.

[mj.rx7]

ya i was quoted $700 and it had to be brought in from the states, which is why im trying to find a used one, but ya i'll call them and see what they say.

[mj.rx7]

so just tried to google pats automotive but i couldnt find it any chance you could give me the phone number??

[hk20000]

http://www.patsdriveline.com/cnt/main/index.asp

Surrey

[billboa]

Pick-a-Part here in Chilliwack has 2 rx7's in there right now. not sure if the drive shaft if there but worth the check. they r fc's tho and i beleive the 86 is an fb? either way just call a bunch of wreckers and ask if they got rx7's. If u dont know how to take it out then bring a knowlegable friend or find out how online and bring instructions.

Just goin to a wrecker, taking off the part, bringing it home and installing it with the help of grandpa or the internet saved me a few thousands dollars in the past few years.

[hk20000]

^ negative how much longer would you think a 23 year old driveshaft U joint is going to last yanked from the wreckers?

[mj.rx7]

i have been phoning wreckers but i'll definitly try them and actually the drive shafts might be fine on a wrecker car mine only went because i was pushing it really hard, and i've been working on cars since i was 6 so doing the work is no big deal.

thanks for the ideas

[mj.rx7]

so pats is awsome... but heres my other issue the minute they take down the exhaust system it might not go back on so does anyone know of a good exhaust place

[hk20000]

Pats has welders.....I wonder what do you mean by it not going back on properly though...

Does your driveshaft only come off if the exhaust system comes off kind of deal? Like European cars? Most Japanese cars I've seen have the exhaust and the driveshaft sitting next to each other and the shaft just comes off on its own.

[billboa]

wont go back on? is it rusted out or something?

[Raid3n]

the u-joint on FC's is part of the drive shaft, so you either need to replace the whole thing or have the old one cut off and a new one welded on by a drivetrain shop.. but i'm not sure whether that would be a good idea or not.

there should be a few guys on BCRotary that may have one for sale. just make sure if you get a used one (private sale or wrecker) that it is the same series (S4: 86-88, or S5: 89-91) and the same motor (Turbo or NA, the turbo drive shaft is shorter than the NA because the turbo transmission is longer). and make sure you don't lose the nuts for the connection to the diff. as i believe they are weighted.

[Raid3n]

Pats has welders.....I wonder what do you mean by it not going back on properly though...

Does your driveshaft only come off if the exhaust system comes off kind of deal? Like European cars? Most Japanese cars I've seen have the exhaust and the driveshaft sitting next to each other and the shaft just comes off on its own.

the stock system is a dual can setup, so one side needs to cross to the other side of the car, and that means going under the drive shaft unfortunately. even most single exit systems exit on the drivers side (for the FC at least).

[billboa]

there is a convertible S4 with engine, tranny and ide assume driveshaft at Pick-A-Part.

[mj.rx7]

ya pats said they could do the u-joint without replacing the whole driveshaft and the issue with the exhaust is that the owner before decided to try and weld the exhaust back together and ended up screwing the whole system up so if i take the exhaust down it might not go back on and thats what i'm worried about.