Intermediate shaft

[_-Night-Shade-_]

Oh no I think the ATX has a different IS then! You should use one from an MTX.

[mazdags94]

This is my thought as well except the IS from a KL is the same length from ATX to MTX as I've found. Also, the spline count on the MX3 IS (output side) is the same as the MX6, 626, and PGT. The part of the cv that goes into the hub is what is different (28 splines compared to 26 on the MX3). See the pic below:

MX-3 V6 PS axle:



MX6 - PGT V6 PS axle:



I post this because it looks as though the IS should be interchangeable though the CV joints themselves are not. The above images are posted to point out the spline count on the female end of the PS CV from the K8 to KL.


Also, I'm sure everyone knows the difference from a 2-bolt to a 3-bolt IS, but just in case no one has, here is a pic (courtesy of mx6.com):


Obviously, the bolt hole locations are different from on to another but the overall length is the same.

My 3-bolt KL IS should be arriving this week. I will post up results as soon as possible.

[mazdags94]

Just received my recently purchased IS from a 93 MX6. Everything seems to look the same as the 2-bolt, except for the different mounting hole locations (and having 3 holes).

It even measures the same as the PGT shaft I had (that was accidentally dismantled).

[Daninski]

I'll have to count the splines on my spare shaft to see if they're different from my MX-3 shaft. Never thought there would be a difference. Thanks

[mazdags94]

My understanding is that the spline count is the same. Interestingly enough though, based on the pictures above, there is a 3/8" difference from on cv shaft to another(PGT/MX6 vs MX3). The mx3 cv is 3/8" longer than the pgt/mx6 one. Oddly enough, the mx3 Intermediate Shaft is 3/8" shorter than the PGT/MX6.

I will check the diameter this evening and attempt to mate it with the cv to see if there are any complications.

[_-Night-Shade-_]

It would make no sense for the Intermediate Shafts to be different lengths from Probe/MX-6 vs. MX-3 because they all use the same transmissions (physical dimension-wise), the only thing I can think of that would make sense is ATX vs. MTX...

[mazdags94]

Nightshade: I agree 100% and that's what I thought when I began the mtx and DE swap.

I test fitted the mx3 cv joint and IT FITS! I should also mention that the Intermediate Shaft I test fitted came off an ATX 2.5L V6 MX6 (LS I believe).

Maybe theres only a difference between the MX3 ATX and MTX intermediate shaft (idk why I keep capitalizing it, lol), or even further, maybe theres only a difference between the ATX and MTX for the 94+ in the MX3...

This is frustrating to me as I can't figure out why theres a difference and it seems to me that I'm the only one this has ever happened to...

[_-Night-Shade-_]

You're confusing me when you say "test fitted the mx3 cv joint"... you mean the whole axle? CV joint is just the end part. And how did you test fit it, and why? I thought the IS was the issue here, not the axle.

[mazdags94]

You're confusing me when you say "test fitted the mx3 cv joint"... you mean the whole axle? CV joint is just the end part. And how did you test fit it, and why? I thought the IS was the issue here, not the axle.

The "test fit" of the cv was done by fitting the cv onto the shaft. There was a concern mentioned by solo_ryder that the output spline count on the IS would be off and/or the output shaft diameter would be different from the K8 to the KL. The input shaft (tranny side) would obviously have no question.

A probe one should work, but the output diameter for the cv axle or spline count might be different IDK.

The probe might be different in the bearing area because it proly uses different cv axles and the inside axle snub or inner joint might be a different size. But regardless, just use a MX3 one or mod it like I did

That was the reason behind that.

I haven't gotten the chance to install it yet but I will post up results when I do. Sorry for any confusion.

[_-Night-Shade-_]

Yes if I'm not mistaked you were testing the wrong thing, you need to see if the outer end will fit into the Hub/Spindle, not the IS. Because the end that goes into the IS has the same spline count for all of them.

[mazdags94]

Yes if I'm not mistaked you were testing the wrong thing, you need to see if the outer end will fit into the Hub/Spindle, not the IS. Because the end that goes into the IS has the same spline count for all of them.

Why would I have to do this if I'm using an mx3 cv shaft? I know that fits... as I'm not using a pgt or mx6 cv joint. I know for certain that a PGT cv joint wouldn't fit because the spline count is off (see CV joint pics above).

Yes if I'm not mistaked you were testing the wrong thing, you need to see if the outer end will fit into the Hub/Spindle, not the IS. Because the end that goes into the IS has the same spline count for all of them.

The probe might be different in the bearing area ....and the inside axle snub or inner joint might be a different size

[mazdags94]

Well sh**... come to find out, the ATX IS from a PGT doesn't seem to fit. The bearing bracket that bolts to the block sits out an extra 1/2" so I can't put the bolts in....

This is VERY infuriating! Anyways, in my research, I tried re-testing the previous IS from my ATX MX3 and what do I find???? The ATX IS has 24 splines on the input shaft to the tranny! It doesn't even fit inside the tranny (too small)! The overall diameter of the shaft is about 1/4" smaller than the PGT/MX6 shaft.

Now I have three intermediate shafts that I cannot do S*** with

I may just try to modify the three bolt IS I just bought to see if I can shave enough off to get it to fit.

[mazdags94]

http://wwww.mx-3.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.p ... w=previous" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

found this link too late.

[_-Night-Shade-_]

Well, sorry to say but told ya so! Should have just gotten an MTX 3-bolt IS and called it a day

[mazdags94]

[sigh]

Nothing like wasting money and getting a good punch in the nuts to get you thinking straight