MAZDA 323 is also available in an all-wheel drive version. Additional elements are required to drive the rear wheels. The drive of the front and rear wheels is connected by a cardan shaft. The cardan shaft drives the rear wheel differential, from which two drive shafts extend to the rear wheels.
A transfer box is needed to compensate for different speeds of rotation of the front and rear wheels, for example when cornering (intermediate differential). The transfer box is made as a set of planetary gears with sun and crown gears. Models since 10/90 with a turbo engine: The transfer box is equipped with a self-locking viscous clutch, which automatically engages the rear axle when there is a speed difference between the front and rear wheels. A small difference in speed is acceptable, but the greater the difference, the more the clutch locks up, transferring more force from the rear wheels to the road. Vehicles without a turbo engine and all up to 9/90: The transfer case can be locked by the driver via a switch in the center console. An electric motor engages a cam clutch that closes the transfer case. Thanks to this, the car can move freely in deep snow or mud if one wheel slips.
Attention! Under normal conditions, the intermediate differential must be constantly connected, since otherwise the drive axle is heavily overloaded when turning; in addition, dynamic performance deteriorates. The transfer box is fixed to the gearbox, but has a separate oil filling. Gear oils should be changed as part of regular maintenance.
Manual Transmission: The box is filled with 2.6 liters (turbo engine up to 9/89: 3.6 l) oils for automatic transmissions DEXRON II above -18°C, API class GL-4, viscosity SAE 75 W-90.
Transfer case: Filled with 5.0 liters of gear oil grade API GL-5, viscosity SAE 90. At temperatures below -18°C, API GL-5 SAE 80W oil is prescribed.
Rear axle differential: Filled with 0.65 liters of API GL-5, SAE 90 or SAE 80W-90 gear oil, this oil should also be changed regularly as part of maintenance. Repair work on differentials must be carried out by a specialist workshop.
Attention! See towing vehicles with all-wheel drive. Introduction.