During this past weekend’s autocross–a more high-speed affair hosted by the Martin Sports Car Club at the Florida Rally & Motorsports Park–a guest driver got to sample our Miata for a run.
What’s that noise from the rear? he asked.
It’s part of the car’s character, we replied.
Carlos, one of our faster locals who had just driven our …
Because to change them when using a press, you needed to remove the upright from the car :) Depending on how the axle splines feel about that, it's not always an easy job.
Is the car sitting on the bumpstops at static ride height? Sure looks like it. I'd take a look at that suspension setup, you might be able to improve both ride and handling. IIRC that's a two-piece shock, it's set too long.
Magazine cover: 8 great Porsches for under $10k. Might be fun (for David, who bought one) to revisit what those cars are worth today...
I believe we installed the bushings in Ed Senf's old shop, so we had access to everything. But I can't recall everything from 2001, I admit.
Yes, car sits a bit low. Suspension setup was set for this Friday but, well, those bushings.
It's not so much access as the willingness of the halfshaft to relinquish the upright. Sometimes they go all Nancy Reagan on you and just say no.
IIRC this is a 1994 so you can unbolt the stub shaft if it gets cranky with you.
It's a '92 if it matters.
Then you can still unbolt the stub shafts. It's only those fandangled newer ones like the 1996 that have one-piece axles. Maybe 1995 as well, I forget the cutover.
Alternately, IIRC those upright bushings come out pretty easily with the Harbor Freight ball joint tool, even when the upright is still attached to the car.
With a utility knife, a section of threaded rod, three nuts,a large washer,a piece of exhaust pipe. You could have that out in no time flat. No fire. No complete disassembly. No realignment. Just wear gloves for the lube to grease it up. That grease is sticky!! I didn't have the threaded rod set-up for the picture. They were recycled.
Note that I said if you were using a press :) In a well-equipped shop, that's the most likely as it's the quickest way including total setup time.
Or, if you're not used to doing NA Miata bushings, you might have just missed them because they don't come off with the arms.
Bushings have been ordered from Powerflex.
In reply to Keith Tanner :
Mazda sold out once the Miata got the 1.8L.
The job should be a breeze! I know you guys put anti-seize on all the bolts when you re-assembled it last time. And then it sat in a garage! What could go wrong?
(Am I evil or what?)
In reply to Noddaz :
Installation was totally a breeze.
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