mx5cartalk.com

The LHS of my frame had been making lots of noise lately.
I was trying to tighten the bolt...then SNAP!!!

Any idea on how to fix it? The other side of the bolt seems to be welded to the frame.

Hi there, I would grind the welded section off. If there is enough of the bolt left on the welded side get some vice grips on and remove otherwise you will need to drill a small hole in the bolt and get hold of a suitable Ezyout (any tool shop) and use this to remove the piece.
I note that these bolts only tighten up a certain distance (see thread length) and therefore can't be tightened up.
Trust this helps.

Drill it out and use a bolt cut down to the length of the original.

Can he do it without removing the hood off the frame?

And BTW has the noize gone?

so andy, fix the noise then? hahah. I remember it drove you nuts, and then after you explained it to me it drove me nuts.

Bummer. I don't believe these are meant to be adjusted. I have previously tried to tighten one with no luck.

Hope you manage to fix it ok.

J

Thanks guys,

Wun & Steve. Yes the main source of THAT noise is from that bolt. The noise definitely gone but my roof is broken .

Juffa, you are right...they are not meant to be adjusted.

Oh well, see what I can do...I probably try to drill it out like what JBT said.

Keep a small block of wood or something between what you're drilling and the roof and you should be OK. Just take it slowly.

Start small, work your way up to the bolt size with at least 3 drill bit sizes.
Like if the bolt is an 8mm diameter, use a 2mm, 5mm, then the 8mm bit.

Keep an eya on the metal filings and a bucket with water handy if things start to get hot.

If u drill out the bit left in and just put a bolt in it will be floppy and noisy/rattly as before if not worse. The only poper way is to get one of the special bolts and replace as stated above. I know it means getting the vinyl off/away from the frame but it is the proper way.

Isn't the nylon sleeve supposed to stop it from rattling around?

The rooves in both of my MX5's used to rattle at the pivots, especially when the roof was down. I added a few turns of fine fishing line to pad out the gap in all the pivot points and all the rattles from the roof stopped. Bliss and happiness.

Damn Garry, only if you told me earlier about the fishing line idea.
Yes, the nylon ring 'supposed' to stop it from rattling, but this particular nylon ring didn't.

I may be even contemplating of getting second hand frame.
Do you know if NA & NB frame interchangeable?

LOL andy. Maybe next time post a thread here first before attempting to break something. hehehe

You know Steve...that noise drive me nuts!!!
I just have to deal with it once and for all...unfortunately I succeeded

AB7 wrote:I may be even contemplating of getting second hand frame.
Do you know if NA & NB frame interchangeable?

The frames are certainly interchangeable .. if you have a rollbar there could be some issues