Meet Mindy, Daves MK1 NA MX5

ast · 2 March 2019 08:50

To be fair, my 96 is still on original bushes after 270k kms, and still handles terrifically. Most of those were spent in the badlands of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.

I wouldn’t assume a general “its the bushes” issue; too many people “upgrade” to some sort of poly bush and have buyers regret. In worse scenarios, an ebay set of silicone bushes is fitted, the bushes seize up and the wishbone snaps…

As your is a late UK 1.6, then it should have been stripped by Mazda of its subframe braces. The longitudinal braces are a waste of time, and I suspect yours might not have the mounting points on the floor pan for these. The front and rear braces should just bolt up, and will certainly improve that low speed shudder.

Try swapping the wheels from rear to front. Just because the tyres are new, doesn’t mean one isn’t bad. Hopefully the tyre place got the red spots correctly aligned. You might also have a wheel that isn’t round. Wheels can be damaged, and many cheap wheels aren’t even properly round from the get go (Rota had a reputation for this)

Get a proper alignment done; maybe replace the alignment bolts at the same time, as these can go bad. And by “proper alignment”, not just taking it to a place who checks it is within vague Mazda specs, but who can actually set up a car. WIM (Wheels In Motion) is a long way from you, but can recommend places local to you who know their stuff. Frankly, I hated WIM’s fast road set up at times.

Lanny Chambers setup was for years considered the setup for the NA MX5:
http://www.hummingbirds.net/alignment.html

Good starting point.

Although it all looks crusty underneath, if it was really rusty, the garage would have hit problems extracting the rear shocks, and the lower shock bolt seizes up, and breaks the captive nut inside the wishbone. That they didn’t suggests that under all that underseal, everything is fine.

The steering vibration needs more characterization; does it occur at all speeds, or only low speed, for instance. Have a look on miataforum.com, in the NA section. There are a HUGE number of threads related to vibration issues, and some really good advice there. I personally would not be booking myself in for a bushing replacement right now, unless you have identified a specific pushing that has failed. Its an expensive route to follow, and may (probably) won’t solve your issue.

So,

Easy options in order; swap wheels about, test, visually check for run out (jack up, spin wheels), proper alignment, fit front/rear subframe braces from a breakers.

Chillax · 2 March 2019 10:35

Thanks Saz! Mazda stripped the braces off? Was this a cost cutting exercise on the last of the .NA’s? Seems strange doing away with them if they made a difference. You wouldn’t have a pic of the ones I need to get would you?

I’ll go through your list and see if I can get to the bottom of it. Don’t get me wrong, the car is really fun to drive since getting the new suspension and tyres, just a bit tiresome when pottering along.

ast · 2 March 2019 15:01

Just the 90hp 1.6, I suppose to reduce weight, not cost cutting. You don’t have a cockpit brace either.

Now, the original designers allegedly didn’t want the rear brace on, as it tamed some of the handling characteristics

Front brace, fitted on 1.8. This is aftermarket, but they mount in the same spot. I think yours should have threaded hardpoints to use.

Rear brace:

This is factory 1.8; the longitudinal braces are sopt welded, so can be split. You should have threaded tangs on the rear subframe to accept this. I’m not sure you have the threaded hardpoints on the floor pan though. On rusted cars, the captive nut on the floor points can break off.

There are also aftermarket versions.

Chillax · 2 March 2019 18:40

Saz you’re a star mate! Might invest in the front one first and will check to see if the mounting points are there when I’m fitting the new discs,/pads. Thanks for the photos mate, makes it so much easier to see where things should go.

Dave

ast · 2 March 2019 23:45

Fit rear first, on the basis that I don’t think anyone has fitted just a front brace.

Autolink sell refurbished brace bars cheaply:

https://www.autolinkmx5.com/subframes--brace-bars-232-c.asp

The rear is so easy to fit, I doubt you even need to lift the car.

Chillax · 4 March 2019 15:57

Another box arrived for Mindy today, again from MX5Parts!

New brakes

Looking at her current discs, the fronts look to be quite new, so will still change them but keep the old ones as spare. The rears are also in pretty decent shape, no lips on the discs, so once I get em off will decide if these too can maybe be kept as spares. Could probably have got away with just ordering the pads front and rear, but thought I was always going to replace all thius for new stuff during the resto so might aswell just get them and fit them now. Least I know then it’s been done, and also will feel better knowing that if Gayle’s out in Mindy on her own, the brakes are all safe. Expecting the pads to be utterly gubbed going by the noise they were making! Once these are all fitted, going to put her in to get the brake fluid flushed and renewed, plus a service including all fluids changed.

Chillax · 12 March 2019 23:01

So…I have been busy! I know I’m not supposed to be working on cars or doing anything strenuous at the moment due to the heart attack, but I’ve been bored rigid and finally thought to hell with it, I’m doing this!

So I’ve replaced Mindys brake discs and pads! Took a lot lot longer than it normally would (usually about an hour, took me 6 hours all in as had to keep stopping to get my breath back/have a wee break.

The old discs weren’t actually too bad, but better to replace them anyways. Pads weren’t worn as much as expected, but the material felt weird, like it had maybe been cooked by heavy breaking or they had been contaminated, deffo felt odd. Plus they were el’ cheapo pads! Old brakes below.

Oh, and don’t worry, that surface rust has now been checked, buffed and treated with rust treatment, and painted over for now to protect it until i redo all the underseal/dinitrol it.

On with the new!

Can also see the new springs, dampers and bump stops. Pass side completed below.

so fronts now done, just got the rears to do now, although felt really tired today for some reason so will see how I feel tomorrow. Hopefully will be able to do them!

Took her for a nice run on Monday seeing as Gayle was on a day off, brakes nicely bedded in now. Gave her a bit more stick, and by god does she handle a lot better than when we bought her. Even as a passenger, Gayle said Mindy felt really solid now, and planted through the twisties.

I had her out for another blast today, and went even quicker than I have ever went with her before and can report she actually encourages you to go even quicker through the bends. Took her into town, and so much comfier than she ever was before, more relaxed to drive. Still a bit to be gained by loosening/redoing those bolts and of course the geo set up. But at least now she feels like an MX5 should, and how I remembered those mk1’s feeling that i drove years ago. All is good in Mindy’s world!

Chillax · 12 March 2019 23:09

Oh, meant to add, was really surprised how easy everything came apart, no siezed bolts or discs that won’t come off, even the caliper pistons pushed in nice and easy. Really enjoyed working on her, and if I get told off by cardio nurse I’ll just say “but hey, its therapeutic!”

Gayle was fine as she knew where i was and what i was doing, was under orders to take it easy. Think she got that i needed to do this, needed to feel like…well, like me again! Said on the day i had the heart attack that i would not let it redefine who i am or what i can do. So this really did make me feel good again, even if it did take way longer than it should and drained me of energy. Was worth it!

Ps: you guys will back me up if i get Tokyo from the cardio nurse, eh chaps!? Lol

RoryK · 14 March 2019 13:33

Just had a good read and catch up, so happy you are on the mend buddy! Also good to see the car is helping you with that, keep it up!

Chillax · 14 March 2019 17:25

thanks arory. Yes Mindy is deffo helpibg, although just back from cardio clinic and my cardio nurse gave me a wee ticking off regarding working on the car! To do no more than a half hour stint a day working on car, and to avoid using arms as much as i can. Guess ill need to learn how to use a spanner with my feet! Lol

To be fair, when she explained things I totally get it, so will be taking it easy where Mindy is concerned. Still, least im getting to drive her a lot just now with the sunny mornings we’re having just now has deffo lifted my spirits.

Chillax · 20 March 2019 23:22

Right! This spending has to stop! Another box arrived today addressed to Mindy. What has the wee minx been buying herself this time?? Something very nice, thats what!

All will be revealed tomorrow. Think this is what is known as teasing! Lol

ast · 21 March 2019 11:22

What, you literally have parcels sent to your car, address “Mindy the MX5”, or “Mindy, Dave’s MX5”?

Scottishfiver · 21 March 2019 13:42

Ruddy lightweight you are my lad.

Koni Street kit.

New SS exhaust

New Panasonic battery

New chrome IL wing mirrors.

New tyres

New sills & arches

Track rod ends

New discs

New calipers

New brake hoses

New Autotrans sump

Hood & Frame

Anti roll bars

Drop links

Boots

Refurbed wishbones

Ohh…plus extensive rot proofing.

I think the windscreen, bonnet, boot, doors & front/back bumpers are OK though.

Chillax · 21 March 2019 22:15

Yup, think she must be ordering the stuff herself Saz! lol

Chillax · 21 March 2019 22:19

LOL That’s some shopping list right there! All the very bits I want for Mindy too! I can be heavyweight if you want to give me your bank card Robin ■■■■ I’m deffo having to stop spending for now though as I’m still off work, and also got a holiday to pay for next week (plus Gayle’s birthday is coming up) so Need to let the funds recover a bit for now. Oh, then it’s MOT time in May! Dreading that!

Chillax · 21 March 2019 22:20

Been working away in the garage again! We had bought really rough tombstone seats a while back. They were filthy, had rips in the vinyl and looked awful, but we were going to get them retrimmed so didn’t matter. Problem is, the seat bases need swapped over as the UK spec mx5 has the seat belts bolted to the seat base (so to9mbstone seats have nowhere for the seat belt to bolt on to). We decided to strip the seats down and also take the covers off to see if they would maybe clean up a bit in the washing machine. If we could get the bases swapped over, we could use the seats until we were ready for them going to the trimmers to be covered in leather.

So, started removing seats…

Then stripped the covers off the seats. Hats off to Gayle, who removed all the little metal clips holding covers on (bloody hundreds of the pesky buggers!) while I held the seat firm/held cover out of the way.

Cover off

The seat base covers were horrible, all stained (including oil stains) and smelt of cat pee! They has been stored in a barn so anyones guess what the actual smell was! Back rest hanging up in conservatory to dry after a long time in the washing machine!! Came out really nice!

Now the refitting of the covers could begin. Rather than use the clips (which were mostly corroded and busted anyways) we chose to use cable ties. Cable ties all put in place first before offering up cover.

And then fitting the cover. Horrible job, and fingers are still sore!

Before fitting the tombstone base cusion to the uk spec metal seat base, I rust treated them then primered followed by spraying them in satin black. Know you won’t see this once fitted, but I like wee details like this done properly.

Seat finally built. Note the split that I also repaired by using vinyl repair section cut from the old seats.

Fitted to car…splits now repaired on both seats.

This spending money has to stop! Another box arrived addressed to Mindy…what has the wee minx been buying now??

Something very nice, that’s what!!

I’ve always loved the Nardi wooden steering wheels, but being 360mm they were too big if you were tall like me. Problem being that in order to drive the mx5, my left leg had to be at a very uncomfortable angle to work the clutch, as it couldn’t fit under the steering wheel. So the wheel I bought is only 330mm. Took me ages to hunt down a wheel that has the same styling as the Nardi (spokes etc all look similar) but smaller. This one came all the way from Germany and wasn’t cheap! Still, love the way it looks. Also got a Nardi horn push badge coming which will finish it off nicely.

Had her out for a wee test drive, and felt weird at first with the wheel being smaller (and wood) but also because my leg wasnt trapped against the wheel anymore. There is another mod to remove a wee spacer from the column to gain another wee bit room so will be doing that too. New seats feel so much better! More supportive due to the side bolsters, but seem to have more padding too. Plus as Gayle pointed out, no more cold draft on your neck due to the space between the old seat and the headrest! Next job will be to get new speakers for the seats as the originals have disintegrated, then get it all wired up. Well happy, and again, find it theraputic to be working on Mindy again, albeit at a much slower pace.

Oh, old seats and bases etc, which will be on their way to the tip tomorrow! Manky!

AndrewR · 21 March 2019 22:30

Those recovered seats look great and I ‘love’ the new steering wheel.

Chillax · 21 March 2019 23:30

Thanks Andrew. Yeah, the seats turned out better than we expected, so glad the work was worth it. The original seats had a lot of wear on the drivers bolster (which was worn right through to the foam) whereas these seats have no wear at all on the bolsters which is surprising but nice! The new wheel looks great and feels nice, although looks a bit out of place at the moment due to everything else being black on the interior (the chrome and wood really stands out!). So we will get the wood trim for the centre console, and the chrome vent surrounds to give her a bit of an upgrade and theme that will tie in with the new wheel. Be nice to lift all that blackness, should brighten the interior up nicely.

ast · 22 March 2019 00:06

You’d be surprised at the demand for separate headrest seats; it seems Spitfire and TR6 owners like them as they are an easy fit, and have the same general appearance as the originals (separate headrest).

Some of the copy Nardi wheels are a bit dodgy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBIbG4gRHbU

Technically, the seatbelt change occurred in late 1993 (1994 in UK). If you peel back the carpet, on the transmission tunnel you will find tapped mounting points (hidden by a plastic plug) for the early stalks. Its what I used when I fitted the 1991 special option seats to my 1996.

Chillax · 22 March 2019 01:31

yeah the seats do look similar to those found in triumphs etc, I just prefer the tombstones. My original seats were totaly gubbed though, really worn and really uncomfortable.

That’s scary stuff with the fake Nardi’s eh! That thing looked like rubber! lol Mine isn’t a fake Nardi (wasn’t advertised as a Nardi either) and seems to be really well made. I chose it as the spokes seem similar in design to the Nardi and I’ve always thought they looked like quite an elegant wheel. Hopefully this one will last a while ( it should do as cost almost the same as a Nardi!!! LOL)