hallmark

Thanks Geoff - managed to get the right sized allen key in (access from within the drivers footwell initially but found it easier from underneath as the cars up on ramps) - bloody thing isn't moving! Tried penetrating oil, iron bar over the allen key for leverage and I'm putting so much force on it I'm afraid it's going to round off! It really doesn't want to come out. Glad there's no time pressures so I'll have another go later this evening - all part of the fun!

Thanks again to everyone that's responded - as always a very informative and friendly bunch! After a bit of further Googling it's certainly a type 9 box - I looked back at the original build spec sheet and the original owner had spec'd the 5 speed box but it doesn't say any more than that (which is fine). The car's a 2013 Supersport, so I guess not long after the change to Mazda happened, not that it makes any difference to be TBH. Good to know what I've got though and as 7 wonders of the world mentioned, plenty of options for upgrading 🙂 Thanks all - Mark.

Hi everyone, Ready to change the oil in my five speed Mazda gearbox, got the car up on the ramps and started looking for the drain plug. First problem - couldn't find it despite looking at many You-Tube videos on how it's done (and of course looking back through various threads on this forum). My eye sight isn't what it used to be, but I cant find the drain plug anywhere (believe it should be 22mm socket) but now I'm not sure I've got a Mazda box so I thought I'd try and take a couple of photo's to see if anyone here can confirm (or otherwise!) if it is from Mazda! Thanks all, Mark

Hi everyone, Well, the lower bolts went in, aligned the top ones as best I could, used the grinder to create a 45 degree 'slope' on the long bolt, covered it in copper grease and gave it a tap - didn't work. Tapped it again (slightly harder) - no effect. Thought "**** it, give it a hell of whack" and it went in perfectly 🙂 Torqued everything up and tried the new diff yesterday - wouldn't know its there sound wise so I'm happy! Thanks again to you all for helping out, it's appreciated 🙂 Mark

Thanks John - that's pretty much exactly what I'm seeing so I think I'll crack on as suggested. Hope I can save the skin on my knuckles!

Thanks both for the replies, I've got to say I did laugh out load at your suggestion Phil - I think that approach could also be quite therapeutic! I'll read through more of the archive links Joanthan sent through first, just in case but I've got a feeling I'm going to need to get the BandAid's out ready!

Hi everyone, I've bought myself a new diff for Christmas but I've got a problem with the passenger side lower diff mount - I just cant get it to align properly with the chassis mount, it's approx a millimetre or two out. Everything else aligns perfectly and I've tried installing the carrier first without the diff just in case that was applying any 'influence' on the shape of the carrier but it's still the same. I've also tried installing the bolts to the lower mounts first, but then I cant get the top carrier (with the long bolt) to align. My previous diff carrier aligned without any issues at all, but that unfortunately doesn't fit the new diff. Is there a secret to aligning these, or has anyone got a work around? Thanks 🙂 Mark

Many thanks all - makes sense, will have a go moving the axle stands in the first instance to see if that increases clearance - think I've read something that the De Dion does have movement so fingers crossed! Thanks again everyone for responding :-)

Hi everyone, Having a bit of a clean up underneath my 1.6 Sigma Superport and one thing led to another and I've basically ended up removing just about everything from the propshaft back (not what I initially intended to do but there you go!). Anyway, all's well thankfully but when the diff was out I loosened the filler plug (for fresh oil once refitted) and thought no more of it until I realised how close it is to the De Dion tube and I'm not going to be able to get a H14 socket in there to tighten. It's finger tight now, but whats the trick - is it to grind down a H14 allen key or equivalent to fit or is there a easier way? Thanks all, Mark