1. Verify that the joint shaft is not twisted or cracked.
2. Turn the joint shaft by hand and verify that the bearing rotates smoothly and freely.

Drive shaft
Joint shaft removal/installationMazda 6 Service Manual: Schedule 1
U.S.A. and Puerto Rico residents - Engine oil flexible maintenance interval
Use when the maintenance monitor for “Oil Change” is set to “Flexible”. For
details, see maintenance monitor.
Chart symbols:
I: Inspect: Inspect and clean, repair, adjust, fill up, or replace if necessary.
T: ...
Mazda 6 Service Manual: Driving Tips
WARNING
Do not let the vehicle move in a direction opposite to the direction selected
by the selector lever: Do not let the vehicle move backward with the selector
lever in a forward position, or do not let the vehicle move forward with the selector
lever in the reverse position. Otherwise, t ...