What did you do to your MX5 today ?

[satfan54]

Did the front suspension passenger side, knackered the lower wishbone ball joint in the process, got genuine mazda joint but no nut included. Doing the front springs and struts has cost me more than the quote I got from Advance.Lesson learnt.
Cheers.

[ger]

Did the front suspension passenger side, knackered the lower wishbone ball joint in the process, got genuine mazda joint but no nut included. Doing the front springs and struts has cost me more than the quote I got from Advance.Lesson learnt.

The shocks come out without removing the lower ball joint, there is a trick using a big screwdriver through the bottom mount point (this is starting to sound sexual) you rest the shock on the screwdriver, while using a bar to lever down on the upper wishbone and push the bottom of the shock inward while guiding the top plate out under the arch.

[Steve]

Easiest method is to remove the BIG long bolt that holds the upper wishbone on, it slides out easily and won't mess up your alignment.

When doing the rears, use the stock car jack against the body to push wishbones down.

[Stig]

This evening I treated the car to;

An engine flush
Oil and Filter service.
New Plugs.

I also fitted new lock nuts to secure my rota cup alloys.
I also took my centre console apart to address a "whizzing" noise from my stereo when listening to the radio. Thought it might be the FM expenader that was hardwired into the car whn it had the jap import headunit, so I took it out and rewired the unit, and the "whizzing" is still there - FECKING ANNOYING!
It's like the alternator causing the "whizzing" on revving the car - any ideas?
Still, overall a good evenings work on the 5 - ready for the IOM trip!

[satfan54]

Thanks for the replies regarding the front shocks and sorry for the late reply but have been away.I had done the first shock by using my wife to bounce on the lower wishbone and after that another method was required.I could not take the whinging twice. I dont think it was a bad idea to release the lower ball joint,I just made the mistake of hitting the crown of the crown nut, and that screwed up any chance of removing it. However,with the joint removed,the work on the suspension was a one person job,but expensive.For anyone doing this job,just remove the crown nut completely and replace it with a standard nut to protect the threads on the ball joint while you beat the s--t out of it. I thought of this within 30 seconds after making a ba-ls of mine. Thanks again for the support.

[ger]

or go and get a ball joint splitter for about 10-15 euro and do it properly, its cheaper than a new lower ball joint.

[leamyj]

Quote of the year:

"I had done the first shock by using my wife to bounce on the lower wishbone and after that another method was required."



John

[Geese]

OR

"I had done the first WIFE by using my Wishbone to bounce on the lower SHOCK and after that another method was required."

[leamyj]

John

[ger]

We interrupt this thread to apologise for this unwarranted attack by the supporting members. Luckily, we have been prepared for this eventuality, and are now taking steps to remedy it.

and now for something completely different...

[Geese]

or go and get a WIFE splitter for about 10-15 euro and do it properly, its cheaper than a new lower ball joint.

Ah it's great being single

[ger]

[ger]

"Ah it's great being single"

I dont know, being married to the right women has its advantages



She has trouble fitting under the 5 though

Anyone got a lend of a bottle jack?

[satfan54]

or go and get a ball joint splitter for about 10-15 euro and do it properly, its cheaper than a new lower ball joint.

I have a bal joint splitter and used it to lock the joint to try remove the nut, but it did what I thought it would do which was to burst the rubber seal, the reason I did not choose to use it in the first place.
Cheers.

If I had a wife like above, I would not need axel stands!

[ger]

I have a bal joint splitter and used it to lock the joint to try remove the nut, but it did what I thought it would do which was to burst the rubber seal, the reason I did not choose to use it in the first place

Confused… the rubber seal is the cheap bit, 2 or 3 euro.

wish you had taken a pic of your wife jumpin on the wishbone, could have been in next years calander classic.