Spring Maintenance and Repairs (Long-overdue post)

Warning: Ahead is a barrage of poorly-composed, blurry photos of my Miata Spring Break.

As mentioned previously, I placed a sizable order with Moss Miata and a few other places in order to gather all of the items needed for the services I planned for the week of March 15th through 22nd.

By March 15th, all of the necessary items I ordered had arrived, and I wasted no time getting things unwrapped. I carefully laid out the top in a clean, dry, storage room so that the creases from packing would smooth out some.

 

I wasted no time tearing into the old convertible top. I kept the hardware in a plastic tray (bin lid). Though I did remove the fasteners and such in a civilized fashion, the top began coming apart as I did so.

  

I couldn't help myself. Pictured is the tattered remains of the old roof, ready for the trash.

 

We removed the convertible top latches, cleaned off the corrosion, and sprayed them down with bedliner to give them a durable, textured finish.

The top installation was complete within four hours or so. It's been awhile since I've done one, and I made the mistake of doing it with the frame mounted to the car. I imagine this would have all been much easier if I had removed the frame from the vehicle and laid it out. 

  

 

 

 

   

 

  

 

(POST UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

My apologies for the lack of updates. My spring maintenance list became extensive, then the post was never completed. Expect it (finally) within the next 48 hours.

Quick No-Nonsense Update

I couldn't wait for the maintenance update, so I decided to share a couple little things I've done related to the car in the past few weeks.

1) Switched over the "ICANHAS" plates from my old Volvo to the Miata. What good are silly, personalized plates if they aren't on the car?

2) Purchased a secondhand trunk rack from a CL seller on Staten Island. The rack was in really nice shape, and saved me about $80 versus a new one. I now I have a place to stow the beer and extra baggage for our trip to PA next month!

3) Another CL find: Met up with a knowledgeable Miata enthusiast who was parting a '95 Chaste White, and picked up a good wiper cowl, and a power antenna assembly. My trim was broken at the base of the windshield, leaving a 3" gap that could let leaves and other debris in to clog the cowl drains.  The antenna that was equipped on my Miata was not original to the car, and not in working order. Time to swap in a power OEM unit and try to restore radio reception.


My aim is to complete the majority of my planned maintenance, which I discussed in a recent post, over my spring break next week. Although I will have work Monday through Friday as normal, I expect that by March 23rd, I'll be through with most of the repairs that the car will be undergoing for the upcoming season.

I have already procured the following in preparation:

-Ball Joint Separator Tool  AKA Pickle Fork
-Energy Suspension Ball Joint Boots (x4)(These will be for the tie rod ends, and upper ball joints.)
-Lower Ball Joints (x2) These were relatively inexpensive, and since the control arms will be off of the vehicle, I will replace them as a preventative measure. I am unsure of the age of the units that are currently on the car.
-Crankshaft Holding tool for timing belt service from MiataMecca (Check out his YouTube channel for tons of helpful hints and tips for working on Miatas.)
-Exhaust manifold gasket

I'm hoping to place an order for the remaining items I'll need for the service before Friday.

More to come soon.

Boots & Ball Joints

Thanks to a quick search on Miata.net forums, I found out that the upper ball joint boots are easily replaced with a readily available set from Energy Suspension for around $5!

http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=9.13101

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=395477&highlight=repack+ball+joint

Credit to the OP & the photo goes to "cucamelsmd15"

Granted, I'd love to get some brand new Flyin Miata tubular arms and new ball joints:

$220/ea.

However, the boot has only just torn (no wear & grease is still clean & present, without debris) & I'd rather set the money towards more urgent repairs.

I placed an order for the boots & will update once I get these put on!

Please pardon the usage of copious amounts of low-quality cell phone photos in my posts. My Fuji camera has not been making the trip with me to the office & shop, so I had to do my best with what was available.

 It's getting close to the end of winter. At least, that's what I keep telling myself every time I lift the garage door to see the Miata in its slumber, covered up with various blankets, almost as if I hoped to keep it warm. I recently discovered that the battery had gone flat again, when I tried to bring the car out on one of the warmer days. Suffice to say, it started with a quick jump, so I took the car out on a Friday to work (80 mile roundtrip) and parked it inside the garage. Thankfully, the afternoon was good to me and allowed me a little time to take a look underneath and assess what work I should plan for the car in order to get it ready for some longer trips and even some autocross action, if time allows. 

I put the front of the car on stands, and pulled off the belly pan so that I could take a closer look around. I can't say that I'm entirely happy with what I found, but the results are pretty typical for a car that's 21 years old.

Under the front of the engine (pictured is the front of the oil pan along with the crank pulley area, from underneath) I found a significant amount of oil caked onto various components. This tells me that either there is a leak in one or more of the front main seals, or that (gasp) the oil pan is leaking. Honestly, it could be a combination of both, but I suspect the former is a likely cause. I had planned on replacing all of the oil seals on the front of the engine during my timing belt service, which I am putting on the list for next month. I guess oil residue on the accessory belt could account for why I have some belt squeal when the A/C compressor first kicks on. Or not. Either way, I plan on changing the accessory belt during the T-belt service, so I'll go over the particulars of that problem at that time as well.

Unfortunately, the front end steering and suspension components are really starting to show some age. I suppose I can't expect too much, but it's another area of concern that I'll need to address sometime this year. Thankfully, nothing is broken or exhibiting any play at this time. There is no loose-ness, shaking, clunking, or play in the ball joints (upper & lower) and the tie rod end (pictured, far left, with torn boot). I plan on replacing both the left and right tie rod ends before the car's first major outing in April, for the annual Subaru SVX Reading Meet. It's possible, but unlikely, that I'll get to the upper and lower ball joints, as there are other pressing matters to attend to first. 

Its extremely hard to tell from the photo, but what you are looking at is an extremely corroded mid pipe (down pipe). This is the intermediate exhaust pipe that extends from the exhaust manifold down to the catalytic converter. I've had an exhaust leak at the manifold that's led me to believe that it is cracking at the merge of the primary pipes. Originally, I thought of just replacing the manifold with OEM and taking the "cheap way out", but after seeing the condition of the mid pipe, I'm electing to purchase an exhaust header that will replace both components and offer some performance benefit as well. 

I've selected the header from Jackson Racing as my intended replacement, as their craftsmanship is highly acclaimed according to forum posts and reviews. In addition, Moss Miata is running a sale which includes this header, at a savings of nearly $70, bringing the price down to $390. 

There's really not much more to update on at this time, except for one trivial item. Since my weekend trip to Morgantown, PA in April will require luggage for the weekend, and room for beer, I've considered the addition of an accessory luggage rack, at least to stow a small cooler and one overnight bag on, for the weekend. I am of course concerned about quality of the rack, and what effect it might have on the paint. I think that using the rack sparingly, and only installing it on rare occasions would not cause a problem. I'll update if I manage to scrounge one of these racks up. Otherwise, my next update will likely be after I place a sizable order for parts sometime early next month. Stay tuned!

Winter Update

It has been a couple months since I have had anything post-worthy as far as Miata-related activities go. I have been busy with school assignments, work obligations, and holiday traveling, so there has not been much spare time to work on the Miata. In early November, the Miata moved to our new home a few blocks away, and to a significantly smaller garage. At least its in good company, right?

After sitting for several weeks post-move, the battery had gone completely flat in the Miata. I must have left a foot well light on over the time. With a jump, I got it going again, and have not had a problem since. The never-ending unpacking in my home distracted me from putting the car away properly. I covered up the car, and the tailpipe, but hadn't gone beyond that.

Unfortunately, the Volvo has developed an overheating issue and had to go into the shop. This means that commuting duties (~46 miles each way) are on the Miata until the Volvo is back from the shop. I try and do as much of my own work as possible. Completing a head gasket job on a Volvo in freezing temperatures sounds punishing, so I'm leaving it to my indie shop to sort out.

I would not mind driving the Miata in the cold, if it was not for the threat of snow. The ruined soft top was not holding together, so I devised a temporary repair to get me through until I'm able to install a new one.

Using the most basic in materials, I was able to get the window to stay in place enough to prevent weather from entering and most heat escaping. It's embarrassing, but at least you cannot see it from the outside of the car.The awful evidence of the failed top remains in the form of stubborn duct tape adhesive.

I had promised to post some photos of the repaired rocker panel sections.

Other than the dirt from the road and rain, I think it looks pretty good. 

Maaco in Keyport, NJ has been doing business with my auto glass company for some time, so they took good care of this repair. After welding in repair panels for the rusted portion, the area was smoothed and the  rocker panels were completely resprayed. I'm pleased.

Now that the corrosion is dealt with, I can turn my attention to the next items on my agenda for this car. Once the Volvo repairs are completed, I will start preparing to give the Miata some service. I plan to address the top at this time as well. My rough list is already starting to add up.

-Replace Convertible Top

-Replace Exhaust Manifold Gasket and hardware

-Inspect Exhaust System for additional leaks

-New seals around windows on L&R

-Replace Accessory Belts & check A/C idler pulley

-Replace Timing Belt, Idler, Tensioner, and water pump

-Check oil seals and replace if necessary

-Replace thermostat and coolant hoses

-Replace brake hoses and caliper bleeder screws

-Check all suspension components for wear and begin replacing bushings.

If the exhaust manifold or head pipe requires any attention, I'll likely install a header in place of them. 

I'll be driving the Miata to and from work, where we have a large heated work space, so there is a distinct possibility that I could begin some of this work before warmer weather is here, time permitting. 

More updates will be posted as they come!

Labor Day Update

So things are getting pretty dire with this top. I've had to limit driving the car significantly. The window is now only up because its propped into place, as the fabric around the inside of the main part of the top has shed the zipper almost entirely. The tape residue is unsightly, but I had to ensure the window would remain in place while the body shop had the car for a week. I was trying to prevent as much dirt and overspray from getting into the car while the rocker panels were being repaired.

For some good news, I was able to bleed the clutch system and replace the fluid. I used a siphon hose to withdraw the fluid from the reservoir and refilled with new. Using a tutorial from Miata.net, I was able to locate the clutch slave cylinder very easily (on the right side lower bell housing) I was able to access this by removing the RF wheel and jacking up the front of the car. Always use jack stands! There is an 8mm bleeder screw on the slave cylinder, much like a brake bleeder, and I removed any remaining bad fluid from that point.

The old fluid was completely opaque and a dark brown. Clearly, it had not been changed in quite some time. Thankfully, with some new fluid, the clutch seems to operate a little more smoothly than I was used to.

I moved on to siphon the brake fluid from the master cylinder reservoir, and replaced that with new fluid as well. However, the bleeders on the front brake calipers seem to be frozen in place. At this point, I did not attempt to remove them with extra force, as I do not have replacement bleeder screws on hand. I will try again to bleed out the remaining old fluid when I do a replacement of all brake lines next spring. I do not anticipate driving the car much until that point. This should give me ample time to set aside a few bucks for front calipers, should I need them.

I will include some better-quality photos in my next update, as well as better details of the completed rust repairs.