Hello. I'm wondering if anyone has ever run into this dilemma. I have installed my 7.5 rear end which was built by Martin. I have installed my bigger axles into the rear end which Martin also built. I had the local Mazda dealership install new bearings in the broached hubs. I installed the Martin supplied axle spacers into the hubs and they fit into the new seals just fine. My hubs are bolted up and the axles are spline engaged and sticking out the hubs. Now comes the dilemma. I am unable to expose enough threads on the axle to allow the new axle nuts to engage??????????
Has anyone else ran into this issue and if so what was the remedy?

The only solution I can offer is to turn down the spacers on a lathe?

 

Don't turn down the spacers. I'd venture to say that the axles are just not pulled through the hubs far enough. It's a rather tight fit. Once you can engage the nut it will pull the axle through.

-Jason

 

Thanks for the replies guys. I thought something just did not make sense on this one so I ended up calling Martin. We had a good chat for a few minutes about my not enough threads to start the nut thing. During the chat I mentioned that the Hubs slid on the axles like a hot knife through warm butter. He thought this was odd as they are supposed to be tight. He then started, out of curiosity, to measure some of his axles from the face of the outboard CV to the end of the axle. He got 4 1/8 inches. Then I measured mine and got 3 11/16 inches !!!!!
He said he had never heard of this before (what luck I have). I'm now sending my short axles to him and he is sending new long axles to me and covering all the costs.
It's so good to finally understand what was going on with these axles!!!!!

Again, thanks for your comments and suggestions.

 

That's weird. Are the outer CV's from the wrong application or something?

-Jason

 

Don't convert down the spacers. I'd project to say that the axles are just not drawn through the locations far enough. It's a rather limited fit. Once you can interact with the nut it will take the axle through.. . . .

 

I'm having axle issues also. I think my issue is im missing the spacers and the axles are pulling through the hub too much. This is causing the hub to bind and preventing the wheel from turning. Do you happen to have a picture of wha tthe spacer looks like and how it is supposed to fit so I can look at mine?

 

You absolutely need the spacers. The oil seals on the Miata spindles are larger in diameter than the corresponding surface on the Thunderbird CV's. The spacer increases the diameter and also keeps the axle from pulling in too far. The spacers themselves are about 3" in diameter and maybe a little less than 1/2 inch thick. Unfortunately I can't think of any pictures of them anywhere.

Contact Martin if you don't have them.

-Jason