Location of drive shaft components
1. Mounting belt cover; 2. Bracket; 3. The outer ring of the CV joint; 4. Thrust ring; 5. Lead balls; 6. CV joint inner ring; 7. SHRUS separator; 8. Shoba; 9. Mounting belt cover; 10. Case; 11. Mounting belt cover; 12. Mounting belt cover; 13. Case; 14. SHRUS on the shaft; 15. Staple
Driveshaft Component Locations on Manual Transmission Models
1. Locknut; 2. Washer; 3. Assembling the outer CV joint; 4. COVER; 5. Mounting belt cover; 6. Assembly of the CV joint, installed but at the end facing the differential; 7. Thrust ring; 8. Bracket; 9. Bracket; 10. Connecting shaft; 11. Bolt; 12. Mounting bolt for connecting shaft bracket
Location of the drive shaft component on models with automatic transmission
1. Locknut; 2. Washer; 3. Assembling the outer CV joint; 4. Case; 5. Fastening strap stunted; 6. Tripod bearing assembly; 7. Bracket; 8. Connecting shaft assembly
Removing
Drive shaft
1. Jack up and support the front of the vehicle on axle stands, remove the front wheels and mudguards, and drain the transmission fluid.
2. Block the brake disc with a screwdriver, wring out the blocking rim and remove the hub nut (photo). When installing, use a new nut.
Hold the hub stationary with a screwdriver inserted through the caliper
3. Disconnect the stabilizer, remove the nuts and bolts of the ball joint and steering knuckle, and disconnect the rack from the ball joint (Section 10).
4. Release the inner end of the drive shaft from the transmission or connecting shaft as shown in the illustrations. Be careful not to damage the transmission seal. On automatic transmission models, it may be necessary to insert a flat chisel between the drive shaft and transmission housing and lightly tap the end of the chisel to disengage the drive shaft from the differential.
Disconnect the left drive shaft from the mechanical transmission | 
Remove the left drive shaft from the transmission differential (models with automatic transmission) |
18 Use a lever and hammer as shown to disengage the right drive shaft and connecting shaft from the transmission | 
The clevis must be replaced whenever the drive shafts or connecting shaft are removed |
Drive the locking rim of the locknut into the groove of the drive shaft with a hammer and punch
5. Remove the drive shaft from the wheel hub using a puller if necessary (photo).
Use a puller to remove the drive shaft from the hub
6. Supporting the CV joints, remove the drive shaft from the vehicle (photo).
While holding the CV joints, carefully remove the drive shaft
Connecting shaft
7. Disconnect the inner CV joint of the right drive shaft as described in paragraphs 1, 3 and 4. Remove the mounting bolts, remove the connecting shaft from the transmission and remove it from under the car.
Note: After removing the drive shaft, plug the hole in the transmission housing. With both the drive and connecting shafts removed, be careful not to dislodge the side gear slots of the transmission differential. Insert a wooden pin or something similar to prevent the side gears from moving.
8. Overhaul of the connecting shaft and replacement of the bearing require the use of special tools. These operations must be entrusted to a Mazda dealer.
Installation
Connecting shaft
9. Before installation, insert new brackets into the grooves of the drive and connecting shafts and lubricate the grooves with special grease.
10. Insert the connecting shaft into the transmission, install the mounting bolts and tighten them.
Drive shaft
11. Install the drive shaft in place, holding the CV joints, and insert its splined ends into the hub and transmission or connecting shaft.
12. Insert the drive shaft into the differential by gently tapping it with a die and a hammer (photo).
Use a hammer and die to install the drive shaft and transmission
13. Install the steering knuckle and insert the bolts (Section 10).
14. Install new hub nuts.
15. Block the disc with a screwdriver or punch inserted through the caliper and tighten the hub nut (Section 10).
16. Use a hammer and punch to drive the blocking collar of the locknut into the driveshaft groove.
17. Attach the stabilizer bar, install the mudguards and wheels, fill the transmission with the type of fluid specified in the Specifications (Section 1) and lower the car to the ground.