Insane in the membrane

by **RLtd** » Thu, 24 Feb 2011 6:21 +0000

Hi all, glad to be back on here with another 5. Picked it up at the weekend and the fun began. My good friend and all round genius mechanic, James, sorted the electrical issue which had prevented the previous owner from driving the car for about a year.
Fully serviced it and we had it running sweetly.... Happy Days.

Today I set myself the task of cleaning it and sorting the passenger window, which likes to just sag and ignore my commands!
Removed the door card and half of the push fittings stayed in the door. The back of the door card was soaking wet and crumbling into pieces. The moisture membrane was rolled into a ball, so nothing was there to stop the moisture soaking directly into the card. Anyone know where I can get a non soggy, red door card?

The window was a cable problem, no surprise there I guess. One cable was rusted and snapped. Checked online, 21 squid per cable, might as well do the 2 on that side, one long, one short. Then I spotted the entire assembly, minus motor for 80ish. Seemed like the better option.

Gave the car a bit of a rub, inside and out. The wet dog smell isn't gone yet, but at least its looking less tired now. I'll try to post some pics. Could do a how-to for the window if anyone wanted it? (probably done already?)

Anyway, looking forward to meeting up with some of you next month. I've plenty work on the car to keep me busy in the meantime.

by **mx5ash** » Thu, 24 Feb 2011 8:10 +0000

Welcome back, it would be hard to find a red doorcard I'd say. If the trim is in good condition you could always get/make new back panels and recover them. They are that complicated to cut/drill out. Was thinking of making some from a thin rigid plastic. Would solve them getting wet.

by **Medic5** » Mon, 28 Feb 2011 1:34 +0000

http://www.google.ie/imgres?imgurl=http ... hQeZ5MCwDQ

by **Steve** » Mon, 28 Feb 2011 10:04 +0000

My door panels are in a similar state, been thinking about doing something like this :
http://www.mx5atlanta.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3988

Would 3mm hardboard from B&Q do it?

by **leamyj** » Mon, 28 Feb 2011 2:08 +0000

I'd think so..there's probably countless options out there in terms of finish too. That quilted effect looks nice.

John

by **mx5ash** » Mon, 28 Feb 2011 2:44 +0000

I bought some Perspex sheet to do this with years ago but never quite got round to it. The stuff I bought was to thick so the clips would fit on to it. Might have another look at it soon

by **RLtd** » Mon, 28 Feb 2011 8:33 +0000

Cheers for the advise lads, appreciate it. I like the plastic idea, I've been looking for some for another little job on the 5 already, but can't find any locally. Gonna try a sign company in town next I think. The quilted finish is nice, I've seen it on a few Pitcrew 5s in the past and looked well. I'm tempted to go the carbon route though. I decided to gut the interior today, wash carpet, clean seats properly and fit new underlay before putting it back together. Got the passenger seat out and 3 of the 4 bolts on the drivers side. The last one was in bits, looks like some previous owner had a go and made a mess of it. Ah well. I called to a local garage, young chap had a go with a vice grips. No joy. His boss had a look, seemed pissed off for some reason(maybe it was late, 5pm) saw him look at his watch. I offered to come back tomorrow and he barely acknowledged me, turned around and walked away. Manners cost nothing, so I won't be back there in a hurry.
I have a plan for tomorrow. 13mm socket, hammer...... it'll move then.
I'll try to post pics( I know I said this before....)

by **mx5ash** » Mon, 28 Feb 2011 8:52 +0000

Local friendly tyre place, impact gun, jobs a good un ;-)

by **sidewaysreilly** » Mon, 28 Feb 2011 9:27 +0000

13mm socket = M8 bolt. Gently does it or you will shear the head off it. Are you sure its a 13 socket??? Most nuts/bolts are either 12mm or 14mm.

by **mx5ash** » Mon, 28 Feb 2011 9:32 +0000

It's a 14 I reckon but think he meant hammer on a 13 as he's rounded it off already. Are you using 6 sided socket or a 12 sided. 12s are a bit shit for stuck bolts

by **sidewaysreilly** » Mon, 28 Feb 2011 9:35 +0000

got ya.......

by **RLtd** » Mon, 28 Feb 2011 11:13 +0000

Yep, your spot on. The bolts are 14mm, I did mean that I was gonna beat on a 13mm. Most of my tools are back home, about 35 miles away, so I had to make do with a crappy ring spanner. After that, I spotted a 13mm socket and a light bulb turned on......
The impact wrench would be the job alright. If only I hadn't let my friend borrow my compressor. I'll try the socket tomorrow and if that fails, off to the local tyre place I'll go.

On a side note, I'm a member of quite a few forums, some are mx5 ones too, and you lot are among the most helpful and friendly I've encountered yet. Thanks again, glad to be part of the club.

by **Steve** » Mon, 28 Feb 2011 11:38 +0000

If you are about tomorrow I can pop over with "Goliath" ('leccy impact gun) and some tools/drill.
PM your address/GPS and a time.

by **sidewaysreilly** » Mon, 28 Feb 2011 11:59 +0000

iLL BE OVER THERE TOO

by **Steve** » Tue, 01 Mar 2011 12:36 +0000

Cool, you staying in the same place? We'll only be down the road. Will txt ya tomorrow.