I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: __ rear box section by subframe
Hi all, so I’m a bit new to the ownership and not massively technical, I’ve had my mechanic give the once over as the suspension needs some work, in looking he has found the hole below.
The question he asked is “is there a box section replacement you can weld in here or it is a weld in a plate to repair”. He won’t weld so any Birmingham welder names welcome.
Going to clean it up (plenty of surface rust only) replace shocks, springs, brace bar, ARB drop links and a load of stuff at the front as well then seal it (not decided with what so please recommend).
So that’s my question to the hive mind, is it a box section you can buy or is it weld a plate. For reference, this is drivers side, rear near the subframe.
Thanks everyone I know you all have so much experience.
I’d get this checked properly by a specialist. That removable bracing strut in the picture looks terminal to me. That suggests a more general deterioration. When was the last MOT?
Thanks @Beryl - Paul. My man is pretty good and has done a decent check. Those brace struts are getting replaced along with a load of other bits as listed.
I’m trying to understand if that section has a replacement I can buy or if it needs cutting out and welding because there aren’t spares.
Last MOT August ‘24
Thanks again
I’m a relatively new to the mx but from what I’ve read replacement sections are mostly custom made, hence me suggesting you go to a specialist. The pic you provided shows heavy damage. This isn’t going to be an isolated part of the car. Get a proper assessment. Should be places aplenty around your way.
Thanks Raymond, managed to speak to an old mate of mine who’s an auto welder, he says it’s a patch job, 60/90 minutes work, £200 max. He sees these all the time along with front chassis legs.
Appreciate the help.
That is a good price. In all my NCs, I removed all the arch liners, removed the grommets, and injected Dinitrol ML using an extension pipe. They do tend to rot from the inside out. If you look at the picture,
It’ll have to have a piece made up. If it’s gone there I wonder what the cill ends/lower arch area are like in front of the rear wheels, maybe they’ve already been done.
They haven’t been done, I knew the car as was in the family before I had it.
It’ll get sorted in the longer run. Just need this sorting first of all. Budget and all that.
Really appreciate all the help.
List of jobs to do:
Inner and outer tie rod replacements
ARB drop links front and rear
ARB bushes front and rear
Rear subframe brace
Full suspension change (on Bilsteins from factory), thinking of coil overs, MeisterR’s look the favourite.
It will remain a road car and needs to handle local speed bumps.
While underneath getting wire brushed, hammerite and lanoguard coverage.
Busy time !
Had a welder look at it properly today, with MX5 experience and thankfully not “a scrapper” and very doable, he has checked sills and floor and all good.
He agrees, strange place for such a drastic spot but rest of it ok!
He’ll do the subframe brace struts at the same time in case any welding needed for the nut retention.
Thanks again everyone for the input. Think the picture painted a million words when 100 would do!
Iain
If the roof drain was disconnected somewhere along its path (salty?) water will keep filling that primer-only protected cavity, with its weedy 10mm drain hole.
Take out the seatbelt mounting plate and through its big hole you’ll see if all is well with the various sections of drain inside there.
Good find. 8mm stainless is serious. Mazda originals are about £130! There is a weight penalty if that is a concern. If not you could DIY this item with steel bar for a fraction of either price😀
I’ve just bought the IL Motorsport brace that is just upstream of that area. The standard item is seriously flimsy and is the weak spot of the standard bracing IMHO….
