Another WA MPS 6 Owner

[TBDM]

Hey Mate

Myself & Ms Mazda looked at buying the car you own. The issue with the 4WD system in your car maybe that the rear tyres are a different size to the front.
It has the OE 215/45R18 on the front and the dealer put 225/40R18 on the rear, which is 14mm or 2.15% different in overall diametes.
The salesman were aware of this as I pointed it out to them and they offered to change them to match all round if we bought the car.
If they wont help you with the tyres and you need some pm me as I can help you out

Otherwise they may have changed them already and your car has the same issue as ours, it just comes on randomly.

[shakespeare]

Great info guys, I went back to the dealer today and they will have a look at it as soon as they can (its a Nissan dealer so hopefully they can handle it) . shakespear, I certainly have noticed some juddering, in reverse, 1st/2nd and during engine breaking, also occasionally there is a large thud from the rear changing 1st to 2nd.

Hey Ms Mazda, is the clutch in the one you ended up buying any different? The light came on for me driving south too, it seemed to occur around new sections of the freeway, so possibly the road surface is causing the abnormalities in wheel rotation, light hasn't appeared any time other than on the freeway. I agree CR Kais are my favourite too, great looking wheels.

Anyhow, sorry for turning this into a million question thread, good to know the AWD protects itself kmh001 hopefully all the problems get sorted soon, will definitely come on the cruise.

* EDIT - didn't see TBDM's post! * Something to check, as KMH001 mentioned above, even tyre pressures are extremely important on both rears or both fronts (front to rear can differ slightly, I've found a 40 (F) and 38 psi (R) combo works well) I mention this as a long time ago I lost some air in the drivers side rear tyre (down to 16 psi) this caused some very bad thuds when shifting, particularly downshifts. Filled it with air and all was good, alternatively if could be diff mounts.

The tyre sizes are most likely the cause! Still is good to ensure correct pressures are in your tyres! Also get them to look at the mounts anyway.

There are two mounts for the diff, the forward mount is bolted to the diff on the drivers side, the rear mount is bolted to the upper side of the diff. The noises you've described could indicate the forward mount is loose (bolts loose or rubber inserts where it attaches to the body are worn/broken). Have your dealer have a look at this too, a quick check is if there is excessive movement of the diff (up/down or left/right) then you may have a mount issue. Be mindful though that the stock diff mounts offer a little movement (1-3mm) left to right for NVH etc.

See this thread for some more info. http://www.ozmpsclub.com/forum/tech-...solutions.html

Hope you get it sorted quickly

[anaesthetics]

Just got back from testing out the clutch adjustment (its late but it was just bugging me so much after getting home I had to try it), does indeed make an improvement. I do wonder why Mazda use such a crazy clutch.
Checking the tyres they are just as you said TBDM, I will see if I can get them to change them to match all round.
I'll also mention the diff mounts. Thanks again everyone

[Ms Mazda]

Oh shit that's right, the tyres were different sizes.
Sorry about not mentioning that mate, I totally forgot about that.

Yeah get them to change them all to the correct size.
It's bullshit because as my husband just said in his post, he told them straight out that they were different, I would have thought they would have changed them right away. I'd say that's what is most certainly causing your 4WD light to be flashing. But yeah, if the dealership give you grief over it just PM TBDM and he'll help you out

About the clutch, yeah the one in our MPS is less grabby than yours.
It's still quite a stiff clutch though and I've still managed to stall it many times! Haha

[kmh001]

If the dealer doesn't play fair and you need to argue with them about tyre size, there's another weapon in your armory. Assuming your car has original MPS wheels: 225/40/18 is not a legal fitment on a 7 inch rim.

[anaesthetics]

Quick update, it's booked in for Thursday, they're pretty busy at the moment, but I did say tyres need to be changed and the diff needs to be looked at. What you say about overheating due to the difference in sizes definitely seem the primary cause, it only happens after driving freeway speeds for a while, happened again today and when I pulled up and got out I could feel the heat from the rear putting my hand over the rear wheel area.

[TheJunglist]

welcome to the forum. hope u get it all sorted!!!!

[anaesthetics]

Got the car back today and it seems all fixed, no shuddering, no AWD disengagement, felt like a completely different vehicle, and all from changing tyres. Only thing that irks me is the Dealer chose to swap the stock size tyres off :/ I guess I should be impressed the ones they put on were probably slightly more expensive. Mad props to all the people who've helped explain the issue. So when will the next cruise be :P (I know you guys just had one last month.)