1990 Mazda Miata MX5 - service

Disco has gone, dragged off for scrap

Shouldn't really get emotional about an inanimate object but it held a lot of memories.

So fitted new lower ball joint to the passenger side, no real problems.



Hopefully that'll keep the MOT man happy.


Freelander - Dog guard, boot cover and new rear number plate stuck on, don't like screwed on number plates (private plate, the front replaced with an old one got a new one to fit).

Hopefully you get the slightly pragmatic MOT person who gives credit for the work done so advises on the other bit knowing there's a good chance you'll do it. At least you now have more tools to make the job easier next time...
I've been sent away with a go home and sort that out sooner rather than later conversation an odd time.
Fingers crossed.
James.

After the ball-joint battle onto the Handbrake battle (skirmish compared to the ball-joint).

The handbrake (well rear brakes) are a known weak spot for MX5s, the slide bolts seize and the handbrake adjusters seize so don't adjust.

Removed the slide bolt and greased the slide bolts but all seemed fine.




After many attempts to adjust the handbrake adjuster that just resulted in destroying the adjuster screw (that screws in from the back), luckily I had spares. I surmised that the handbrake itself wasn't working, obvious really, unattached the handbrake cable and the return spring and soaked everything accessible with lubricant/cleaner. A lot of mechanical (by hand) to and froing of the handbrake mechanism and it loosened off enough that I could re-attached everything (even the return spring went on without too much of a fight) and get the handbrake working. Adjusted the handbrake for ~5 clicks and all seems fine.




A bit if time spent searching for the pad spring clip that disappeared.

Think like the fronts the callipers need another rebuild, this time I'll sort out the adjusters.

MOT booked, (at a different garage as the original have a 3 week waiting list) for Wednesday afternoon.

The MOT fails (hopefully nothing else has has failed in the months since the test.

• The seat isn't insecure it just moves a bit, I've got a replacement seat runner, - seat runner replaced
• The passenger door can be opened but it's a bit temperamental (needs lubricating and leaving it unlocked) - lock lubricated
• Ball joint covers have been an advisory for the last 2 years, I've bought replacements - ball joint battle won, new lower ball joints and replacement covers for top ball joints
• Handbrake hopefully just needs a bit of adjustment - handbrake adjusted.

The RFR they have applied for the coilovers is incorrect and not applicable, the springs are allowed to come free of the seats. Wording (as exactly copied) in the manual:

“You should assess the security of a coil spring to the chassis or axle when jacking and lowering the vehicle. If the spring does not correctly locate when the suspension is returned to its normal running position, then you should reject it for being insecurely attached.”

Making sure the lock rings are tight if they are genuinely loose is sufficient here provided the springs do indeed sit correctly

From MX5parts
   1 x MDB1686 MX5 MINTEX PADS, 1.8 FRONT 93> & 1.6 98> (comments say as good as EBC Greenstuff and cheaper)
   1 x SI203 FRONT CALIPER PISTON, MX-5 51MM DIA (insurance as I don't know the state of the piston)
   1 x SI207 ADJUSTER GEAR, REAR CALIPER (the adjusters that get chewed up, I like to have spares of these)
   1 x SI3646 Mobil Brake Fluid DOT-4
   2 x SI6619 WASHER,PLAIN
   2 x SI6624 UPPER ARM BOLT - MK1/2/2.5
   2 x SI6625 Front Upper Wishbone Arm Washer, Large, MX5 Mk1/2/2.5
   1 x SI8438 REAR CALIPER, RH, Mk1/2/2.5 STD BRAKE (aftermarket caliper)
   1 x SI8786 IL MOTORSPORT BRAKE LINES MK1/2/2.5 (£130, bit OTT but do it properly)
   1 x SI9032 Front Caliper Repair Kit, Mk1/2/2.5 STD (I've got some old seals but at £6.58, better to use new)

   Total Charged: £320.78

From Autodoc
   Suspension arm
   Article: SKCA-0051623              £40.66         2             £81.32 (+ £14.40 P&P)
   (this is a bit of a gamble with a pattern part, the MX5parts pattern parts at £69 but are out of stock, genuine parts are £182)

Autolink (because annoyingly MX5parts don't have the nut)
   Nut, front upper wishbone to subframe,
   genuine Mazda MX-5 mk1, mk2, mk2.5, FB0128091A
   This is the special nut that goes on
   long bolt that attaches the inner end
   of the front upper wis...                                                     £4.66 GBP      2       £9.32 GBP (+£4.44 p&p)



Also the tester mentioned that the fog light was starting to not show red, it's the rewired reversing light with red film over it and the film is peeling off. So ordered a Red LED bulb to replace the clear bulb, and I'll remove the film. Will hopefully look better as well.

I usually use the brake pedal to pump the pistons most of the way out before removing from the car. May need to top up fluid for this and do them one at a time.

I also have a fitting bodged up that mates a schraeder valve stub to a brake fitting so I can use a foot pump (or even a bike pump) instead of a compressor.

More spending, I don't trust the pattern wishbones (I'm sure that the one I've fitted the ball joint is spinning and I can't tighten up the nut) so I've ordered some from MX5 City that look better quality and hopefully coming from a MX5 specialist will be better. At least they were on a sale, £112 reduced to £90.

Luckily when I ordered from Autodoc I paid for 'safe order' that gives free P&P on returns.

Just need to sort out the caliper, getting the dust cover on correctly. More lubrication required I think judging from the videos.

Good tip to remember for the future.

No nyloc on the nut and tried putting pressure on the top, to me it doesn't look like it's seating fully in the taper. Lost confidence in the parts and would prefer to have a castellated nut.