The limited slip in my '05 6-speed with less than 11K miles failed. Over the course of 2-3 weeks, the rear end went from perfectly quiet to groaning so loudly even my wife noticed. The car has been sitting in the garage since. Mazda is replacing the entire differential. It's been a week, and the parts have not arrived as of yet. They must be shipping by horse and buggy.

Before anyone asks, the car has not been abused. I've never even dropped the clutch at high RPM. Hope this is not the start of a trend.

 

Highly unusual. This is a very big and strong diff. I would guess it was abused before you bought it or had a fluid leak that went unchecked or un-noticed.

Paul.

 

I dont think its the start of a trend since this is the second time ive heard of it happening for my life on the forums, which was since the beginning of 04...

 

I had one put into my '05 AT Sport at about 3000 miles. went around a corner and heard a loud POP sound. Started binding on corners ,so the dealer installed a new one. It came from Japan.

 

I think mine would have been dead by now if I hadn't changed the fluid. Bought the car with 3700 miles. Immediately noticed that the read diff would bind when turning tightly. (getting into and out of parking spaces was the worst) I changed the diff and tranny fluid at 4500 miles and got gobs of shavings out of the diff. Nothing really large, but there was a thick slurry of oil/metal on the drain plug. Filled it up with RP 75w90 and it now feels perfect. Quieter, cooler to touch after a long drive, smooth in tight turns.

 

There is a guy here in Australia who says he's on his third diff!!

I imagine he's pretty tough on them....he is the only one I know of who's had problems.

 

As a follow up, still no part. I suspect that it may be because it has to come from Japan. We'll see.

The car was purchased new with 8 miles. There is no indication of any type of fluid leak from the diff. Maybe it's just a fluke.

 

graybeard.. i saw your post on my thread... in what kind of situations did you get noise on the diff?? i only get noise from the rear on certain left turns.. it has not gotten worse, just predictable on fairly tight left turns... I am going to get it checked out

 

i felt my diff start to chatter on turns, mostly when pulling off from a stop (such as a 4 way intersection), I took it to the dealer and they claimed they couldn't duplicate the problem. This was way back at about 7k miles on the car. Now, at 126xx miles or so I did my 3rd fluid change and noticed metal shavings and debris in the oil. Also, the diff wouldn't lock up anymore, I would get the "inside wheel burnout" whenever it was wet or I took a turn quickly. Another trip to the dealer, with metallic fluid, and they tell me they can't take the diff apart to inspect it because I have tein coilovers on the car. Somehow this voided a drivetrain warranty? I'll fight a bit more, but if they don't move I'll be upgrading to a new lsd. Probably a Carbonetic, but not sure yet.

 

That's BS. Coilovers do not effect the diff, other than the half shafts being at a slightly different angle (but experiencing less travel, which would actually reduce wear and tear on the CV joints.

To deny warranty, they have to show how your aftermarket part caused the problem.

 

Changing the diff fluid with an improper one or adding some friction control fluid can cause your diff not to lock up. What kind of fluid did you use? Have you used any friction additive ?