The 2000 Mazda Protege base model came with the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission. The front axle shafts transfer rotational power from the transmission to the front wheels. The most common sign of a failing axle shaft is clicking while cornering, which will eventually leave you stranded if not repaired quickly. The driver side axle is connected directly to the transmission, and the passenger side axle is connected to the short shaft. Replacing either is a straightforward task, but you will need one special tool.
Park the vehicle on a level surface and set the parking brake. Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel to be serviced with the lug wrench. Lift the front of the vehicle into the air with the floor jack and place the jack stands under the front sub frame. Lower the floor jack until the vehicle rests securely on the jack stands. Remove the floor jack.
Remove the splash shield bolts with the socket and ratchet. Lower the splash shield and slide it from under the vehicle. Place the drain pan under the transmission drain plug. Loosen the transmission drain plug with the socket and ratchet. Remove the transmission drain plug by hand and allow the transmission fluid to drain. Remove the drain plug gasket and clean the threads with a lint-free cloth. Install a new gasket onto the drain plug and install the drain plug. Tighten to 29 to 43 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and socket. Store the used fluid in a safe place until it can be disposed of properly.
Remove the lug nuts and the wheel from the vehicle. Instruct an assistant to sit in the vehicle and apply the brake. Loosen the spindle nut with the breaker bar and 32 mm socket. Remove the cotter pin for the tie rod end with the pliers. Remove the castle nut with the socket and ratchet. Separate the tie rod end from the steering knuckle with the tie rod separator. Remove the pinch bolt and nut for the lower ball joint with the socket and ratchet, holding one with a wrench. Place a rag around the ball joint dust boot and pry the control arm and ball joint out of the steering knuckle with the pry bar.
Remove the spindle nut all the way and then thread it back on until it sits flush with the axle shaft. Hit the spindle nut with a hammer to separate the axle from the wheel hub. Remove the spindle nut and discard.
Separate the driver side axle from the transmission by prying it out of the transmission with a pry bar. Separate the passenger side axle from the transmission short shaft by placing a steel rod against the inner axle housing and taping it with a hammer. Remove the axle shaft from the vehicle. Install the special service tool No. 49 B027 006 into the transmission, in place of the axle shaft, if the driver side axle was removed, to prevent the side gears from falling.
Insert the axle into the wheel hub. Loosely install the new spindle nut. Remove the special service tool and slide the axle shaft into the transmission for the driver side. Press the axle into the short shaft with the gap in the C-ring facing the front of the vehicle, for the passenger side. Pull on the outer ring of the axle to ensure it is properly seated in the transmission or short shaft.
Pry down on the control arm with the pry bar and guide the ball joint stud into the steering knuckle. Install the pinch bolt and nut and tighten to 32 to 43 foot-pounds with the torque wrench.
Instruct an assistant to sit in the vehicle and apply the brakes. Tighten the new spindle nut to 174 to 235 foot-pounds with the torque wrench and 32 mm socket. Place the wheel onto the vehicle and install the lug nuts hand tight.
Locate the fill plug on the outside of the transmission about midway up the case. Remove the fill plug with a 17 mm socket and ratchet. Fill the transmission with fresh 75W-90 differential fluid until the fluid is level with the fill plug, approx 2.8 quarts. Remove the old gasket and clean the fill plug with a lint free cloth. Install a new gasket onto the fill plug. Install the fill plug and tighten to 29 to 43 foot-pounds.
Lift the splash shield into place and tighten the retaining bolts with the socket and ratchet. Lift the front of the vehicle off of the jack stands with the floor jack. Remove the jack stands from under the vehicle and lower the vehicle to the ground. Remove the floor jack. Tighten the lug nuts to 65 to 87 foot-pounds with the torque wrench.
