How-to: MS3 Pivot Shaft Seal, Bearing, Breather Replacement

[alden]

Such a detailed How-To! Greatly appreciated. I'll be attempting this over the weekend!

[alden]

Well, attempted this, and everything went smoothly! I attribute my success to this thread. Thank you for this how-to!

[Mtspeed]

Are these parts the same on the 2009?

[DynoBunny]

Originally Posted by Mtspeed Are these parts the same on the 2009?

Yes, as far as I'm aware they're the same.

Glad this is still up, years of write-ups I've done were messed up as I used photobucket to host and they got rid of 3rd party hosting without paying. Pretty lame. Flickr is still good for it thankfully.

[Batmzr]

The old breather will not come out no matter what I do. Please help!

[Wcdfmt510]

Just resealed mine. Super easy.took about 15-20 min

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[Batmzr]

I ordered the whole assembly and expected it to include the breather because all the pictures had one when you type that part number. It includes the bearing and seal. So I am trying to tap out the old breather so I can put it onto the new casing but it won't budge.

[Batmzr]

Got it out. Ended up having to hammer it kind of hard used a 1/4 pin punch. And his instructions he used the same 5/32 used for the cotter pin( elastic pin).

[alden]

Originally Posted by Batmzr Got it out. Ended up having to hammer it kind of hard used a 1/4 pin punch. And his instructions he used the same 5/32 used for the cotter pin( elastic pin).

Breather took quite a bit of force to hammer out for me.

[AndyMZ3]

First, thanks DB, excellent write up. I did the seal, bearing and breather repair this past weekend, and yes, "while you're in there" -- I replaced the gear oil. I paid $17 a quart for the Ford stuff. The color of the old stuff was pretty dark, and I had added about a half a quart of some 70W90 laying around to replace what was leaking out. Sorry so verbal, here is my comment -- never before had I heard what I have seen described as the whine or groan of the LSD when turning the wheel and cold. Never in 4 years of ownership, and now at 134K. Well I hear it now -- very pronounced. I am hopeful that I can find some research that informs me to replace the Ford unicorn stuff -- or just not worry about it. Again, thanks DB, at least I am not leaking everywhere!

[Cheapspeed]

Originally Posted by AndyMZ3 First, thanks DB, excellent write up. I did the seal, bearing and breather repair this past weekend, and yes, "while you're in there" -- I replaced the gear oil. I paid $17 a quart for the Ford stuff. The color of the old stuff was pretty dark, and I had added about a half a quart of some 70W90 laying around to replace what was leaking out. Sorry so verbal, here is my comment -- never before had I heard what I have seen described as the whine or groan of the LSD when turning the wheel and cold. Never in 4 years of ownership, and now at 134K. Well I hear it now -- very pronounced. I am hopeful that I can find some research that informs me to replace the Ford unicorn stuff -- or just not worry about it. Again, thanks DB, at least I am not leaking everywhere!

I used oreillys generic gear oil. A lot cheaper and as good in my opinion.

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[sarm1084]

Awesome write up sir! I feel like I can handle this job like a pro thanks to you!

[TR6]

I have a slight leak and going to replace the seal, but after reading this I think I will just do the full seal, breather, bearing combo. Thanks for the great write-up! Are the part numbers still the same for Gen 2 I assume?

[Db09ms3]

Originally Posted by TR6 I have a slight leak and going to replace the seal, but after reading this I think I will just do the full seal, breather, bearing combo. Thanks for the great write-up! Are the part numbers still the same for Gen 2 I assume?

It's the same. Job is pretty easy.

[TR6]

Originally Posted by Db09ms3 It's the same. Job is pretty easy.

Cool, thanks. Parts are ordered and if all goes well they should will go in this weekend...

[TR6]

Mission accomplished. It actually wasn't that bad and went fairly well thanks to the great info here. Much appreciated. I think it took almost 1.5 hours, and I went fairly slow and careful.

My breather was fine so I did not replace it, but I did do the bearing (even though it seemed fine as well). It seems maybe a SLIGHT improvement in shifting, but nothing as big as what some of you are reporting. But overall it does seem to be a small improvement, and no more leak

Thanks again for the great write up.

Oh, and I did have to remove the guide pin/bolt. I tried without removing it and it would not come out. I actually just loosened it some (didn't remove it all the way) and that worked.

[Lim075]

Originally Posted by dagrimey1 You don't need a press to remove or install this bearing. The how to explain how to do without one. Replacing that bearing made shifting a number night and day difference. Sent using Moto Fo Sho Doe

I need help. I replaced the seal and bearing.. but it's stiffer than before and I can't push the shifter down to get into reverse! I am having trouble getting into first and second gear too! I only replaced the bearing bc of everyone saying how much better it was.. I'm wishing I only did the seal..

[TR6]

Did you get it seated correctly when putting it back in? And did you put the pin back in?

I was actually going to post again today too:

Mine shifts fine and no more leak, but I am getting a bearing/whine noise, especially at higher speeds in higher gears. Any ideas? I did replace the bearing as well.

[Lim075]

I did put the pin in, and tried as close to the picture as I could for the bearing. Just before the inside lip. I think it might be the shifter arms might be crossed.

[Lim075]

Originally Posted by Lim075 I need help. I replaced the seal and bearing.. but it's stiffer than before and I can't push the shifter down to get into reverse! I am having trouble getting into first and second gear too! I only replaced the bearing bc of everyone saying how much better it was.. I'm wishing I only did the seal..

Figured it out. The plastic black clip was vertical instead of horizontal. Now it's super smooth with a new bearing and seal. Although I might go back into it to do the breather.. it's kind of stiff now.

[Lim075]

Anyone know the part number for the plastic clip? Or have a part diagram of this assembly? I can't seem to find it in manual transmission or transfer case etc.

ms3_pivot_shaft_seal_replacment-056

[Db09ms3]

How about you don't clutter this awesome how-to and create your own thread?

[Lex2007]

He's asking questions related to the topic of the thread.
That's what the forum is for. Be nice.

[TR6]

Originally Posted by Lex2007 He's asking questions related to the topic of the thread. That's what the forum is for. Be nice.

Exactly. Heaven forbid we follow the how-to and have additional questions or some issues arise, or someone has some other helpful info to add.

Glad he figured out his issue. I definitely have a whine/gear noise now (that was not there before) and seems to be getting louder. Could I have installed the bearing too far, or not far enough? How far in should it be installed? Anything else I could have done to cause the noise?

It shifts fine into all gears and runs fine, just making a whining noise that can't be good...

[Axoid]

This is an awesome write-up. My 2008 MS3 (160k+) just started leaking around this area, and my local garage is estimating about $400 to repair it, all labor really. I ordered the parts from Avondale as they were the lowest cost I found and plan to do this myself soon.

My question is, before I start, how much of the trans fluid will I need to refill the case? Do I have to drain the whole case or just top it off when I am done? I called Mazda and the recommended fluid is

0000-77-5W90-QT

and it's about $15 a quart and takes 5 quarts to fill the case. I don't want to buy more than I need.

Thanks,
Don

[Lex2007]

Originally Posted by Axoid \ My question is, before I start, how much of the trans fluid will I need to refill the case? Do I have to drain the whole case or just top it off when I am done? I called Mazda and the recommended fluid is 0000-77-5W90-QT and it's about $15 a quart and takes 5 quarts to fill the case. I don't want to buy more than I need. Thanks, Don

You dont need to drain any gear oil. Its all from the top of the transaxle my bro. Just TAKE PICS so you know how everything goes back together!

[Axoid]

Cool, thanks for the reply.

[Lim075]

Also take your time putting it back together and putting it in.

Funny thing is, my local Mazda dealership doesn't sell the gear oil for the MS3.

[rauce]

Used this how-to to fix my trans leak, thank you!

[SeeMeGovan]

Screw the mazda stuff, use Ford Motorcraft XT-M5-QS tranny oil. A bit pricier but sooo good. You only need 3 quarts btw, and you'll have a little left over.

[dagrimey1]

If you didn't do the bearing and only fixed the seal, I'm sorry you missing out on these smooth transitions between gears.

Can't believe I using Tapatalk again!

[ACms6]

Great write up! Huge thank you! Only took me about 2 hours

[JDTRUMPET]

I just wanted to say a HUGE thanks for this amazing write-up! I have the same pooling on my plate and very much need to fix this.
I drive a 2007 Mazdaspeed6, so from what I am reading it should be a very similar repair.... while just a bit different with the Transmission Mount for a bolt.

My main question is where you guys order your parts from? I can't find these anywhere!
I am a newb at ordering online, but this one is a must... Thanks!

[ACms6]

@JDTRUMPET I purchased my rebuild kit on amazon for only $50 with free shipping. Delivered in 2 days to my door.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01M3...b_b_asin_title

[IDRIDR]

Or, it looks like this is the complete assembly with breather:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M697X6T/

[Db09ms3]

Wow, they sell that whole assembly meow? Sex.

[SeeMeGovan]

Yeah might be worth the extra $30 to not have to tap out the bearing. I definitely need to do this soon, noticed a small puddle of oil on top of the plate.

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[Hoobrus]

Hello, this is my first message on this forum. I recently purchased a used Mazdaspeed3 with 100k miles. Got a decent deal. The car is almost totally stock, including the original leaky seal

I am about to purchase a replacement and do the job myself, but I was curious if there is anything better than the OEM seal, since it seems kind of defective by design, apparently...

[Db09ms3]

No improvements on that bitch. I have 'heard' that short shift plates may exacerbate the issue but I have no proof on that fo'sho. The job is easy just follow this procedure.

[cwichman]

First post to the forums. Really just wanted to show my gratitude for this write up! Everything went smooth sailing thanks to everyone on here. Ended up just getting the whole plate from Amazon to save the hastle of pressing the bearings in and my speed3 shifts like new again with no puddle! Everyone on here is awesome.

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