1990 Mazda Miata MX5 - service

[andyw]

Ouch, that rust isn't good news - I would have though that would have been a fail, I wonder if it fell out after the MOT.

I suspect if it is anything like the Probe I have you'll be making a much bigger hole before you find good metal to weld to. I presume being popular that sills are available for the mx5.

[g40jon]

You are gonna be in for a big old shock when you start cutting into that!

This is along the lines of what to expect






Hope you like welding! I cheaped out and patched my car up using sheet steel rather than ready made panels due to cost and time issues.

[MiataMark]

Jun 16, 2017 10:03:07 GMT g40jon said:

Hope you like welding!

Unfortunately I don't weld or have a welder so it will need to go somewhere.

[g40jon]

Jun 16, 2017 12:13:34 GMT MiataMark said:

Jun 16, 2017 10:03:07 GMT g40jon said:

Hope you like welding!

Unfortunately I don't weld or have a welder so it will need to go somewhere.

That was the 3rd time I had welded anything since college 18 years ago. If you take it anywhere insist they make a photo log of the work carried out. Mine had been previously done, but clearly to a worse standard than even I could achieve!

[tickman]

Jun 16, 2017 12:13:34 GMT MiataMark said:

Jun 16, 2017 10:03:07 GMT g40jon said:

Hope you like welding!

Unfortunately I don't weld or have a welder so it will need to go somewhere.

Get a quote and if you are happy for a 'functional' repair rather than cosmetic then spend the cost of repair on a welder and do it yourself, it is such a useful skill and with practice you just improve constantly.
It is not that difficult to get strong welds but it is more difficult to get pretty stuff.

[MiataMark]

Jun 17, 2017 8:39:16 GMT tickman said:

Get a quote and if you are happy for a 'functional' repair rather than cosmetic then spend the cost of repair on a welder and do it yourself, it is such a useful skill and with practice you just improve constantly.
It is not that difficult to get strong welds but it is more difficult to get pretty stuff.

Got a quote for a 'restoration' quality repair from one of the acknowledged best in the MX5 world for ~£1K (just for the rear sill), I know I could get it done cheaper elsewhere particularly for a functional repair but I would really like to get it done properly, it looks like it's never been welded.

Thinking about it I can buy a welder (entry level Clarke, MIG145?) and a load of panels to repair all the sills, and replace the front wings, for not much more and have a welder to do other things. How hard can it be (famous last words)?

If there's anybody who would be willing to let me have a go at Mig welding to see if I can do it before I buy one that would be great, (unfortunately I'm 436 miles from Dundee).

There's no rush I'll use it as is over the summer, and no budget currently.

Mark

[johnthesparky]

I have done a bit of welding as an apprentice (nearly 30 years ago) and when working shifts etc, and it was easy!

I've tried welding cars and it's hard!!

The problem with welding cars is rusty and contaminated panels, and having to do it in tight spaces and on your back


I'd buy the welder, and a sheet of steel and have a go at clean uniform welding, on a bench before attempting the panels on the car

That's about all the help I can give, my solution to my inability to weld cars is to befriend people who can! Not the best solution, but it does mean when not fixing cars you have someone to go for a beer with

[strikey]

try repairing an old panel on a bench first. you will get a feel for the amount of cleaning back that you will have to do for marrying old and new without @rsing the car up.

[blackridge]

Interesting thread, the older mx5's become the more I toy with the idea of getting one, on my bucket lists of cars to own that's for sure.
And I would agree with others that you should buy the mig and learn to weld! I learnt on a very rusty 70s fiat...

[ozzy]

looking good. I can not wait to get the top down on my mx5 when I get round to mot it.

mx5s do like to rust so I would get a welder and learn to do it your self

[MiataMark]

Anyway in true Nero style let's ignore the rust for a while...

Back to the rear brakes which have been making a scraping sound on the drivers side, sounds(if I said sounded it would take away any suspense) the dust shield scraping on the disc but it didn't look like it was. The discs I used were really a bit past it so bought new ones, ECP 35% off so got Pagrid discs.



Fought them back on, I hate the handbrake adjusting screws, ruined the two I bought a great cost from Germany. But got them on and went for a drive.



Umm noise still there, look under car looks like the driveshaft gaiter clip is scrubbing in the coil-over. Jack car up on diff and run with it in gear (I know kittens and nuns might get killed). Still noise, but not from driveshaft, take wheel off still noise. It is/was coming from the disk, have a better look and also at the disc I've taken off. Ahh it's rubbing in the centre, I must admit at this point that I did try to see if I could bend the shield to cover the bigger discs in doing so I obviously bent it out of shape. Basic trouble shooting should have told me that the only thing I did different between the sides was bash the shield.

Yay it worked went for a nice top down drive suspension and brakes feel much better. Pity about the Harley-Davidson convoy who were doing 40 on a nice 60 limit B road.

Going back to welding I've decided that next time Machine Mart have a VAT free day of similar I'll be buying a welder (Clarke 145) I mean how hard can it be.... *

Seals etc have arrived from BiggRed so can get on with refurbishing the front discs to bring them up to 1.8 size.

* I know probably very hard and it'll be a disaster.

Mark

[tickman]

Nice work on keeping it going.

Jul 1, 2017 14:57:01 GMT MiataMark said:

....I've decided that next time Machine Mart have a VAT free day of similar I'll be buying a welder (Clarke 145) ....

Excellent news, if I get offered another code soon I'll message you with it.

[MiataMark]

Slight delay caused by advisories on my Alfa's MOT, needs new front discs and a anti-roll bar linkage. Might as well service it and sort out the glow plug issue.

Got new seals for the front calipers from BiggRed need to order pads etc now.

Researching welders, should I be a cheap-skate and buy a Clarke MIG145* or go for the 151EN. I want to buy new and from a shop so I know everything is there and (should) works.

* I will buy the adapters for gas if I go this route.

[tickman]

I went cheap skate and bought one of these:
www.machinemart.co.uk/p/pro-90-mig-welder/
I've had it at least 10 years and it has handled everything thrown at it. It has done cars, land rover dumb irons and bulkhead, making gates and fixing trailers. I would like a better one but cannot justify the expense as I don't use it loads.
Reading up mine will do the same thickness metal as the more expensive Clarke welders but it couldn't run at full power for as long.
When you get it get a bottle and regulator for this:
www.hobbyweld.co.uk/products/
I always used CO2 until a few weeks ago and the weld with this stuff is nicer to actually do. (doesn't make a lot of sense)

[MiataMark]

Had new tyres fitted to the Discovery today, Tyres on the drive, and while he was here got him to take the tyres off the 14" wheels the car came on.



'Hollow spoke' Enki 14x6" need a good refurb, not sure whether to sell or refurb and use as day-to-day wheels. A nice light anthracite grey colour might look good or maybe pale gold/bronze.

[MiataMark]

Found a local body-shop, recommended by the Land Rover specialist we use, they quoted £40 to patch it up! Don't really want to go down that route and they were still quoting in the £400-500 plus parts range and they've never done a MX5 before. So it's back to buying a welder.

After a successful visit to the Haynes Motor Museum breakfast meet RRG is next, first time in the Retro parking. If you see someone wearing a MX5 t-shirt and with a black-eye say hi.


seen here in good company..

Also anybody want some cheap MX5 parts;

    - set of GMax springs (not sure how much lower but some) bit tatty - £10
    - set of 1.8 front caliper carriers, cleaned up and treated with Kurust (free pair of discs) - £15

For collection at RRG

Mark

[tsp]

I feel your pain. I'm taking my MX5 to the MX5 Restorer for big repairs soon

I'll take the carriers if no one picks them up at RRG. I can't go!

[MiataMark]

Aug 15, 2017 20:51:35 GMT tsp said:

I feel your pain. I'm taking my MX5 to the MX5 Restorer for big repairs soon

I'll take the carriers if no one picks them up at RRG. I can't go!

MX5 Restorer is probably the best place to go but not cheap, to sort out all 4 corners and front wings it would be about £4K for mine. Depending where you are have a look at MX5 Doctor in Hampshire.

I'll pm you re carriers next week, I should also be at the MX5 Owners Club meeting at Gaydon.

[tsp]

Thanks mate. Appreciate it.

I'm not into mud slinging, there is some indifferent reports on MX5 Doctor on the forums. I've always found him ok but it's made me wonder. Shame as I'm only 10 minutes from him.

Keep up the good work mate

[MiataMark]

That's good to know, I'm just ignoring the rust for the moment...

If you're in Hampshire, or close, then I'm not that far away.