broken GV lip, WHAT DO??? (vic)

Mr nanotech · Postby **Mr nanotech** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 11:38 pm

I'll keep this post short.

I broke my gv lip, want to fix it. Looking for place that do plastic welding in Melbourne/Geelong area.

What should I expect to pay?
Where should I go?
Is plastic welding an effective fix?
Anyone on this forum have experience doing this and willing to have a crack for beer?

As you can see below, breaks are all very clean and slot together as new.

BadBong · Postby **BadBong** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 11:52 pm

I'm more concern with the driver's side... I don't think that it is possible to fix those smaller pieces.

I have to ask this question... because you're not the first one on this forum to have smashed a GV lip and then gave up on the idea: Do you really need one?

Is your car set at a height that can actually have one and still be able to drive over speed humps?...

Mr nanotech · Postby **Mr nanotech** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 1:22 am

Though my car is low, I've never had a problem with the lip scraping. I smashed this after an epic understeer off the road and up an embankment.

I like the look of it and after having it on for so long, the car looks naked without it or at least missing something. I've always felt the na's looked weird without some kinda front lip, the bumper sits too high compared to the mid section.

The part was was worried about was the drivers side sadly. My backup plan is to cable tie stitch this one back together then order a front and rear oem lip then trade the front on the forum for another gv in good condition. I figure I want the rear regardless, it's cheaper to do it that way.

Kobsy · Postby **Kobsy** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 7:30 am

Cable tie stitching!

BadBong · Postby **BadBong** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 8:19 am

I think you'll find the oem front lip mote expensive than a new GV lip if you know where to look.

Have you thought about one of those universal lips that allows you to bend the material to the shape that you want? I've seem them on eBay recently.

They're alot cheaper to replace and looks quite good on the photos (ie if you know what you are doing)

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 8:55 am

The item is not repairable.

Anything which is lower than the standard nose on an MX5 is going to get scraped or damaged sooner or later. Our roads, car parks, parks etc etc now employ many obstructions to reduce speed and cause irritation to low riding cars. Many driveways also are not designed correctly.

geofiz · Postby **geofiz** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 9:07 am

Send it to Rod to add to his collection :DIY:

http://mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=75&t=49707

16bit · Postby **16bit** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 9:45 am

i have an aluminium splitter under mine which has protected mine perfectly.

maybe consider doing something like that? it needs replacing now but I think of it as a sacrificial bit.

16bit · Postby **16bit** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 9:46 am

i mean if you fix this one or get a new one. but to repair it consider some epoxy glue and or cable ties.

Mr nanotech · Postby **Mr nanotech** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 11:08 am

16bit wrote:i mean if you fix this one or get a new one. but to repair it consider some epoxy glue and or cable ties.

Thanks guys, I reckon I'll just epoxy/cable tie stitch this until I get another. I've seen a few guys put splitters under the gv's before so maybe it could be an idea! I'll see what happens, I'm having a bit of a DIY weekend so if I have time I might give this a go.

BadBong wrote:I think you'll find the oem front lip mote expensive than a new GV lip if you know where to look

Nah man you can get a front and rear OEM lip package sent to your door from Rspeed for $450 shipped. Garage Vary anywhere in Aus will set you back a staggering $350 by itself!!! Like I said earlier, I really want to get my hands on the rear oem lip so it's more cost effective to buy the pair then put up a WTT (want to trade) thread in the for sale section of the forum (OEM for GV).

I'll see what I can do, I kinda knew that corner would be the death of it lol.

Mr Morlock wrote:Anything which is lower than the standard nose on an MX5 is going to get scraped or damaged sooner or later. Our roads, car parks, parks etc etc now employ many obstructions to reduce speed and cause irritation to low riding cars. Many driveways also are not designed correctly.

I applaud the fact that you have the utmost faith in Mazda's engineering and feel that anything beyond OEM quality is subpar. But honestly, why do you bother commenting in threads where people are happy with aftermarket items; just to tell them they're doing something wrong. I thought you would have learned by now that some people might get offended by this. I'm not pissed off or anything, i'm just putting this out there before someone else says it in more colourful words.

japester · Postby **japester** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 1:22 pm

If you have the time and interest, it could be used as a mould to make a replacement?

Mr nanotech · Postby **Mr nanotech** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 1:37 pm

You mean if I had the know how haha

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 1:52 pm

you don't have the know how, BUT you do have google!

Plastic welding may work, but it doesn't flex. First bend again will make the repair crack slightly.