'92 Miata: Budget Project Car

erod550 · Postby **erod550** » Mon Aug 05, 2013 9:14

I've changed my shocks out twice now and couldn't get the long bolt method to work so I used the San Francisco method I think it's called, where you remove the vertical bolt on the bottom of the control arm. It's a huge pain to get it all lined back up again and held still to get that bolt back in there though.

And yea the rears are super simple, just stand on the control arm and it pops right out. Hardest part of the rears is reaching into the trunk to get at the top nuts. My trunk doesn't have a liner though so I don't even have to remove anything to get at them, just have to use an extension and a u-joint adapter to get over the fuel hose on the driver's side.

Postby **Huzer** » Mon Aug 05, 2013 9:14

erod550 wrote:I've changed my shocks out twice now and couldn't get the long bolt method to work so I used the San Francisco method I think it's called, where you remove the vertical bolt on the bottom of the control arm. It's a huge pain to get it all lined back up again and held still to get that bolt back in there though.

Yup, for the long bolt method, I loosened the sway bar mounts to drop the bolts down a little further (if that makes sense). After aligning the head on the long bolt, flat part of one of the hex sides being exactly level with the ground, I was able to pull it straight out, toward the front. The driver's side, which I thought was going to be trickier because of the AC lines, ended up being just as easy. I was able to get the bolts back in with no problem as well. And surprisingly, they broke free easily. In fact, (knock on wood), I haven't had a seized bolt on the car anywhere...yet.

erod550 · Postby **erod550** » Mon Aug 05, 2013 9:14

It's been over two years since I did it so I don't remember exactly why I couldn't get the long bolt method to work. I want to say that the bolt would turn but wouldn't back out. Like it would just spin in place and not move, but I'm not sure.

If I ever decide to put my ebay coilovers back on I'll try it that way again. I might do it soon actually. The reason I put stock springs back on it was because I was trying to get it to handle better in the snow at highway speeds, but for one it was still squirrelly as hell at highway speeds (50+) on ice, and for two, I work from home now so I pretty much have the option to just not go out if it's snowy, plus I do zero highway driving now. And for the 362 other days of the year that I'm not trying to drive in the snow it would be nice to have the car handle like it used to, because even though they were cheapo coilovers the car still handled great on them. It was just a big pain to try to get them even at all 4 corners.

Website · Postby **Shadowden** » Mon Aug 05, 2013 9:14

I was dumbfounded by how simple the suspension is on the Miata. I will be swapping brake pads/machining rotors in the near future and am going to see if mine will be equally simple. Should be, if not possibly simpler.

erod550 · Postby **erod550** » Tue Aug 06, 2013 9:14

So it sounds like my problem was continuing to try to unscrew it when I should have just pulled it straight out when it was loosened? I'll have to try that next time I get under there, cause the other method sucks, lol.

Postby **Huzer** » Tue Aug 06, 2013 9:14

erod550 wrote:So it sounds like my problem was continuing to try to unscrew it when I should have just pulled it straight out when it was loosened? I'll have to try that next time I get under there, cause the other method sucks, lol.

Once you get the nut off, it just pulls straight out!

Postby **Huzer** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 9:14

Picked up the FM sways from coloskydiver today. I doubt I'll be patient enough to wait until I pick up new endlinks. Woohoo! Beefy sways. Yum.

erod550 · Postby **erod550** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 9:14

Endlinks are a quick swap anyway aren't they? Might as well get the use out of the sway until you get the endlinks.

Also...

Huzer wrote:Once you get the nut off, it just pulls straight out!

I feel like an idiot now.

Postby **Huzer** » Sat Aug 10, 2013 9:14

Installed the sways today. Weee! Incredibly simple job. I started at 3:30 and was done, hands washed, tools put away, by 4:30. After a quick drive, I can definitely feel the difference. Once I get the rear caliper replaced and swap new lines/flush/etc, I want to do a nice mountain drive. I'm hoping to get those swapped on by next weekend (hoping, but doubtful).

So, a quick rundown of what I've accomplished thus far:

Replaced rotors/pads (NAPA house stuff).
New Falken 912s, swapped painted daisies on, removed the chrome plated
vacuum lines (still have more to do)
coolant lines (still have 7 left to do from the OEM kit I ordered)
coolant flush
New suspension (basically, the Flyin Miata 2.5 kit...adjustable Illumina shocks, rear FM shock mounts, FM bumpstops, Mazda Competition front shock mounts, FM coil springs, FM sway bars)
various junkyard replacement parts (windshield cowl, trim pieces, etc
interior wear and tear: manual window regulator, seats (foamectomy), shift boots

The "to do" list is much longer...

coloskydiver · Postby **coloskydiver** » Sat Aug 10, 2013 9:14

Glad to hear you didn't waste any time. It is amazing what a few good suspension upgrades will do to change the attitude of a car. All with out add one power upgrade.
Congrats,now get out there and carve some canyon roads.

Postby **Huzer** » Thu Aug 15, 2013 9:14

After pushing the Miata a little bit, I've discovered it's suspension weak point (right now). Tires. I need some wider meats on there!

Handling is much improved, although it wouldn't be hard to improve upon a tired 21 yr old original suspension with 217k on it. I debated on whether or not to also install the rear sway, as there's quite a bit on the miata forums about just upgrading the front (more understeer). I decided to do both. From what I understand from Flyin Miata, their setup maintains the OEM balance. Regardless, I'm very pleased with the end result of the suspension.

After taking care of a few little maintenance issues, I haven't fully decided on which portion of the car to tackle next. I may just start parts hoarding and wait until winter to tear everything apart, that way, I can enjoy the car for the next few months, at least.

Saul_Good · Postby **Saul_Good** » Thu Aug 15, 2013 9:14

Falken 615k has a 14in size. Its a decent summer tire with a good price ($92/tire in 195/60/14) and you can get free shipping from discount tire online.

Postby **Huzer** » Thu Aug 15, 2013 9:14

My current Falken 912s are new (first purchase, as the old tires were toast), but I'll be moving to 15s next year.

Saul_Good · Postby **Saul_Good** » Thu Aug 15, 2013 9:14

Huzer wrote:My current Falken 912s are new (first purchase, as the old tires were toast), but I'll be moving to 15s next year.

Nice. I want to eventually get 15x9 with 225s next year. That would free up my RPF1s for you to buy ;p

coloskydiver · Postby **coloskydiver** » Thu Aug 15, 2013 9:14

Get a pair of 15x8 6UL's with some 215 or 205 due to weight. With the 1.6 you will need all the help you can get

'92 Miata: Budget Project Car

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