I have been trying to get my 1.8 NC3.75 roadster back on the road for a few weeks.
It needs diff and gearbox oil changes, an overhaul of the brakes (I have the parts), engine oil/filter change, so nothing too difficult.
I have however rounded off one of the bolts on one of the calipers (bought a replacement caliper just in case removing the bolt damages it).
I have therefore looked for a local mobile mechanic, but they only want to use the parts they buy, not the ones I bought.
I am a bit worried about carrying out the brake/clutch fluid change and the diff/gearbox oil changes myself…
So: can anyone in or around the Furness area recommend a trusted local mobile mechanician (I live in Dalton-in-Furness), or (big ask), assist me with pointer/tools if I do the jobs myself?
What is stopping you driving it to a garage? If it’s Sorned/ uninsured, garages can pick the car up Legally if they have enough incentive for the work you wish done.
“Looking for mobile mechanic, but they only want to use the parts they buy, not the ones I bought”
Empathy
Experienced exactly the same issue when I needed to replace my 1.8 NB 2.5 Battery that I’d purchased [after guidance from Club Members] from MX-5 Parts
RAC didn’t want to know
Nor did my trusty mechanics
Unfortunately because you bought the parts any mechanic can’t guarantee them so are extremely reluctant to touch them with a barge pole…not matter what their pedigree [MX-5 Parts]
I ended up changing the battery myself…which was astronomically stressful…but got there via support and guidance from Club posters
Will try and find the Thread so you can see my journey
The car cannot be driven to a garage, and a garage will not use the parts I bought either, so there’s no point in having a garage collect the car… Plus, would you trust a garage to carry out the work in the right order before starting up your car?
Changing a battery seems easy compared to changing brake/clutch fluid by myself (can it even be done by just one person?).
And with the rounded off bolt on one of the calipers, overhauling the brakes will require a torch (heat), or some bolt-grip set of sorts.
Or an impact wrench.
Which is why I was asking for help from someone local and mechanically aware, who might appreciate me returning the favour when they need help with servicing their own car…
I remember you and your car from conversations on here, back when I was a paying club member. It’s nice to hear from you.
I have glanced at your story, but it worries me more than anything else that you had to go through your ordeal alone, even while well guided.
I mean: well done for managing it all.
I realise now why changing the battery wasn’t simple…
I dread doing my brakes…
But onwards and upwards I guess.
I shall read your post in more details shortly.
Thank you.
I’ve just checked Bullits’ records and note that back in 2018 a garage was perfectly happy to fit her a drivers side rear light cluster that I’d purchased on line from a Breakage Yard ! So no problem with a part I’d supplied myself and one that was second hand !!
Then…but sadly times have changed me thinks and I don’t blame the garages or mobile mechanics because in my experience we’ve become much more litigious [influenced by our cousins across the pond perhaps ?] in this country now
And I totally agree with you “Finding someone local and mechanically aware, who might appreciate me returning the favour when they need help with servicing their own car”
It’s a pity that us on line posters don’t live closer to each other
And I also totally agree with you ‘the value of having a second pair of hands’ [even if they are not mechanically minded/knowledgeable]…for many tasks…not just work on our MX-5s
And then there are the tools needed [I was lucky the battery only needed 1 x spanner]
Brainstorming here …seen any other chaps/chapesses doing a bit of work on their vehicles you could approach ‘quid pro quo’ as they say ?
‘Nil desperandum’ to continue the latin theme
I had to go way out of my ‘comfort zone’ to get the Battery done
