Any recommendations for a brace bar to reduce scuttle shake on (normal) rough roads please. Spoke to MX5parts.co and their only bar (D0021) does not fit as the distance between bulhead and servo to great. Asked if the servo stop could be removed and they didn’t know, couldn’t suggest alternative -not very helpful.
Any one fitted a similar bar to same model please?
Thanks.
Steve,
Strictly speaking like us you have an NBFL"…Face Lift.
Probably best to secure a similar year’s Sport factory fit brace. but ours is manual.
Bit nit-picking of them not to give you one!
Usually cheap too, around 20 minutes work to fit.
TBH, I had ours off a couple of weeks years back to paint it and do not recall missing it.
You might want to look at chassis braces too.
Thanks for advice and link. Much appreciated.
Confess to being slightly confused as to model and yes you are right strictly it is an NBFL. Has front/rear fog lights factory fitted, black interior with two tone leather seats (green/black) and wood effect trim. Would post pics if could figure out how!
Just had front n/s chassis leg weld/repair and both rear sills and n/s lower arch new metal. Gather this is common problem. Tower brace something I could fit as you suggest and will try one. If still necessary will consider chassis brace, but could not fit myself and not sure whether front, rear or central brace would be best (or all three!!). Local non member guy suggests chassis brace OK for track but too stiff for pot holed road use.
Be aware that some of these cars have a larger servo with an awkward shape to fit the standard engine brace.
Not sure what the servo is like on the auto but I have found the 1.6 facelift model can be a problem.
There is a mod to get the brace to fit but a while since I got involved. A google search should see you right if this is your issue.
Nah. Cannot see the logic there.
They enhance rigidity to the monocoque. Suspension compliances take care of road surface issues.
We also have a Mk1 Auto by the way, and it’s braced up. Never had around town issues in 12 years. Couple of broken springs and drop links over the years mind. Cheap fixes.
Braces are available and quite cheap. Personally, I’d say fit them…in time.
Mind you, the Mk2.5 shell is over 20% torsionally stiffer than Mk1. 23% I think.
See how it goes anyhow.
Edit:
Rhino has a point, but I do not know the answer either. I do know…my Auto Mk1 servo seems the same as a manual.
Can you post a piccy of the servo and I’ll have a look at mine to compare?
Preferably before you spend money!
Rhino is correct and this is where my problems started. The brake servo on my car is longer measured from bulk head to end and is why the MXparts latest IL tower brace with servo stop will not fit. Did ask if servo stop was removable but they didn’t know.
https://www.mx5parts.co.uk/motorsport-front-superlight-brace-mk1-25-p-360.html
Do the under body chassis braces bolt on to existing fittings or do they need new fixings drilled or welded on?
Don’t really know how much shake on rough roads is normal. Must go to next local club meet!
Thanks for all the responses.
I’m a bit perplexed if I’m honest.
The “specs” are changing now.
I was referring to a scrapped /cheap OEM factory fit turret brace, without claiming it would actully fit until…
I asked you to pop in a picture to enable me and others to try and assist with at least an A/B visual comparision.
That IL, to my eyes, seems a lot fatter in the securing plate dept…not to mention you do not have to worry with an OEM one regarding servo brace.
Secondly, shake rattle & roll in a Mk2.5 is in my 12 years experience with ours (and a couple of others) essentially non existant even on the worst surfaces.
The worst it gets is a minute squeak from the HT screen rail area if traversing a steep sleeping Police-person diagonally to avoid ripping the zorst up.
My Mk1 is/was another cuppa.
I’ll be interested in the passing if you pick up anything better from club shows than we are able to offer.
You will generally find…those people are here anyway.
Good luck with it all, and I trust you have many happy outings.
Will try to figure out how to upload photos as my usual email trick of cut & paste does not work. Chasing article on photos in this forum. Maybe I’m being super critical of my first MX5 ride…
I get the impression Steve is looking for a V shaped brace, the type that bolts to both towers and to the bulkhead. That would be a problem. I agree with Scottish Fiver, scuttle shake is non existent on my NBFL, and as he says, only squeak or rattle is from the hardtop, but only on really rough roads.
Sorry i’m confusing everyone. To clarify, looking for a simple brace between the two top suspension unit. Have looked at the three point braces but can’t see how it would attach in middle without drilling holes and secondly it would obsucre the chassis number plate?
My problem started when I tried to order the IL bar from MXparts who advised me about clearance of the servo stop. I checked and mine extends 245mm and realised not all servos are the same size. Then I asked them if I could remove the stop, or shorten the screw and got a very cold “no idea mate”…
(found a program that should enable me to upload photos here and will do so over w/end).
On relatively smooth roads she is as steady as a rock. On our badly pot holed residential roads around Paignton she does shake a bit. Having said that my new toyota RAV4 AWD can be shaken by some of them. As I say, maybe I’m being a little critical of the ride. would be nice to try a similar MX5, maybe visit a dealer and feign interest and get a free test drive Ha! Ha!
Pics as requested at last!
It was quite a while ago but here is a link to an old thread where this matter was fully discussed and resolved…
https://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/yaf_postst83918p2_strut-brace.aspx?=
Mazdamender is still around on his own website and forum - may be worth contacting him if further advice on this required.