dann2707 Posted January 31, 2016 Report Share Posted January 31, 2016 Looking at booking a summer trackday. What would be the next best track for Boris? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadManMike Posted January 31, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2016 56 minutes ago, Adam@TartyBikes said: Which ones did you go for? Are your rubber ones dead? Anything but Super Pro or IL Motorsport will be a downgrade IMO... Yep, they're all old and battered. I've bought a set of old wishbones to clean up and paint and fit all new bushes. I went for Flo-Flex ones, a few people have recommended them and they'll certainly be better than the wrecked ones currently on there. I'm trying to do a complete overhaul of the steering components, as it just doesn't feel good - after full geo set up it's still loose and pulls to either side. Hoping all new bushes and drop links will solve the problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamR28 Posted January 31, 2016 Report Share Posted January 31, 2016 Are they definitely battered? Sorry to keep pushing the point but... I've dealt with 6 MX-5s, all of similar age to yours, and never seen a dead wishbone bushing on any of them (drop links / ARBs yes, but not wishbones). it is of course possible but it's worth checking before going ahead and repalcing IMO. The Flo Flex ones are... bluntly... crap. People say they are good because they make the car 'feel' lively and fast, but a good friend of mine fitted some to his race car and they were squeaky, induced binding into the suspension and generally nasty. He swapped them for IL and the car has been completely transformed. Again, sorry to bang on, but just trying to save you the cost of a wasted set of bushings and a full geo... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamR28 Posted January 31, 2016 Report Share Posted January 31, 2016 2 hours ago, dann2707 said: Looking at booking a summer trackday. What would be the next best track for Boris? Anywhere! Oulton is right up there with Cadwell though, and not too far for you... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadManMike Posted January 31, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2016 32 minutes ago, Adam@TartyBikes said: Are they definitely battered? Sorry to keep pushing the point but... I've dealt with 6 MX-5s, all of similar age to yours, and never seen a dead wishbone bushing on any of them (drop links / ARBs yes, but not wishbones). it is of course possible but it's worth checking before going ahead and repalcing IMO. The Flo Flex ones are... bluntly... crap. People say they are good because they make the car 'feel' lively and fast, but a good friend of mine fitted some to his race car and they were squeaky, induced binding into the suspension and generally nasty. He swapped them for IL and the car has been completely transformed. Again, sorry to bang on, but just trying to save you the cost of a wasted set of bushings and a full geo... I've cancelled the order (Well, requested to). Some people said the Flo Flex were OK, but I hear they need maintenance to avoid the squeak / seize issue, so I'm not up for that. Is it likely that my loose steering is down to drop links and arb bushes being dead? I'd just like the car to feel tight, rather than the wandering it does in a straight line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamR28 Posted January 31, 2016 Report Share Posted January 31, 2016 Yeah, about every week you'd need to have them off for greasing, lol. It's unlikely but possible... are the drop links and ARB bushes dead? Are all the ball joints OK? Do you trust the place that did the geo? You could try some toe in up front if you don't want the car to feel lively, easy DIY, can provide instructions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadManMike Posted January 31, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2016 FCM Motorsport did the geo, full print out and everything. They're very well known and trusted here, they race Evo's at Castle Combe. To be honest, I don't know about the bushes, but there must be a reason the steering is so crap and those are the only things I can think of. If I'm not moving and I turn side to side it makes a clunking sound and doesn't "engage" for quarter of a turn or so. Hence when I'm driving the car likes to drift side to side. It's certainly better now it's had geo done but it feels mechanical rather than the geo being out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark W Posted January 31, 2016 Report Share Posted January 31, 2016 Sounds like someone needs to get themselves up the M6 to come and play Mazdas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadManMike Posted January 31, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2016 I definitely need a new engine and clutch before I drive that far And I really do need those things, mine smokes constantly now. I'm expecting Curby to finish it off, then I'll get it towed home and replaced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Rainbird Posted January 31, 2016 Report Share Posted January 31, 2016 Too lazy for many words tonight: Carb cleaner/blue roll only, no abrasives. Stock drilling larger than I'd expected to see. Provides lots of lube to small end. Cleaned up bottom end. Will complete when crank removed at some point. Waterpump was in. Now isn't. Now replaced by an entire t-shirt. Surprised it all fitted! Won't flow coolant as well but should keep crap out of the hole. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamR28 Posted January 31, 2016 Report Share Posted January 31, 2016 More brum brum from today. And from yesterday... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurtisRider Posted January 31, 2016 Report Share Posted January 31, 2016 Mike have you checked your steering rack/column? Mine both have play in and are causing me grief, I have fresh parts to fit though and along with tracking it should make my front end feel like new Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamR28 Posted January 31, 2016 Report Share Posted January 31, 2016 The racks have auto adjustment, column is very unlikely to have play but also worth checking, yep. Things like inner tie rods, outer ball joints, top and bottom ball joints could do with a check too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamR28 Posted January 31, 2016 Report Share Posted January 31, 2016 And more from today... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurtisRider Posted January 31, 2016 Report Share Posted January 31, 2016 19 minutes ago, Adam@TartyBikes said: The racks have auto adjustment, column is very unlikely to have play but also worth checking, yep. Things like inner tie rods, outer ball joints, top and bottom ball joints could do with a check too. How does the auto adjustment work Adam? Aren't inner tie rods considered part of the rack or am I being stupid? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamR28 Posted January 31, 2016 Report Share Posted January 31, 2016 There's a spring-loaded 'guide' that presses against the back of the rack itself, ensuring it's always nice and snug with the pinion. The inner tie rods are replaceable on this rack, just screw on and off: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=miata+rack+schematic&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjIs-LigNXKAhUCoRoKHS11Dt0Q_AUICCgC&biw=1680&bih=913#tbm=isch&q=miata+inner+tie+rod Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadManMike Posted January 31, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2016 The main issue I face is that I don't really know what I'm looking at. I've done a lot of work on the car, but it's mostly rust and dirt, so I can't really tell if a part is worn out or not. Having the car on axle stands in a parking space doesn't make inspection easy either. I realise the solution is to take it to a garage, but they'll more than likely tell me everything needs changing - after all, that's how they make money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadManMike Posted January 31, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2016 Also, the inner rods, how would they create play? I'm possibly being stupid here, but surely they either work, or they snap and you know about it...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamKidney Posted January 31, 2016 Report Share Posted January 31, 2016 Well the teg engine has fallen through for the time being. Had a lump of money go out that Id not expected/forgotten which doesnt make it affordable for a few weeks B16 is almost completely reassembled now. Cam belt and water pump arrive tomorrow, and I'll be making a trip to Hull on Saturday to collect the last few bits and pieces I need to make the swap 100%. Mike: They have a ball joint on the inner end that sit in a cup, which in turn screws into the rack. All sealed by two long rubber boots. The ball joint can develop "in/out" play. One of mine also needs replacing on the civic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurtisRider Posted January 31, 2016 Report Share Posted January 31, 2016 Ahh I see, on mine you tighten a bolt or something for the preload and ram in as much grease as possible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg1040 Posted January 31, 2016 Report Share Posted January 31, 2016 Was it a b18 you were going for Sam? Tegs been sat at parents for the last 2 months while I'm working abroad. Wasnt keen to drive it over untill i knew everything was going to go well. I have decided if all goes well here and contract goes into a rolling 1 I will be driving it over to Italy end of april. I'm 20 mins drive from Imola circuit so would definitely be booking up some track time there. Aswell as other circuits around. Car will be due it's mot again aswell by the time I get home so make sure it's in tip top condition before making any long journeys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamKidney Posted February 1, 2016 Report Share Posted February 1, 2016 B18c6 out of a Uk spec Integra Greg. Was as planning on matching it with a JDM ecu and exhaust which would let it pull the higher power that the identical jdm b18c does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadManMike Posted February 1, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2016 Sounds like there's a good chance it's the rods then. I replaced the actual ball joints and rod ends, but didn't do the rods themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forteh Posted February 1, 2016 Report Share Posted February 1, 2016 12 hours ago, Adam@TartyBikes said: And more from today... Casual track time radio usage, are you training to be the next stig? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamR28 Posted February 1, 2016 Report Share Posted February 1, 2016 1 hour ago, MadManMike said: Sounds like there's a good chance it's the rods then. I replaced the actual ball joints and rod ends, but didn't do the rods themselves. Check them before buying anything! 21 minutes ago, forteh said: Casual track time radio usage, are you training to be the next stig? Haha. The steering wheel controls make it easy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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