mx5cartalk.com

Hi guys,

Just purchased my first 1989 mx5 eunos last weekend. It didn't come with roadworthy originally, but have had it inspected and multiple areas needing fixing in the next two weeks.

Link to Rwc repair requirements: http://imgur.com/BnKCH2W

Major things needing replacement / fixing:
- Clutch slave cylinder (replacement)
- Steering rack (replacement?) - makes sounds when turning
- Seat belt replacement (replacement / fix) - no longer retracts back. It worked when i bought it. Might have pulled it too hard.
- Passenger window (fix) - automatic window works, but requires a bit of luck and patience to work. Might be issue with wiring? window regulator?

Hoping someone can help me out where I can get this work done or which of these I can attempt myself. I've done basic mechanical work on a car before, but nothing too serious. Oil flush, radiator flush, thermostat changes, gaskets, spark plugs. Hopefully that's enough to attempt some of this work?

If not, looking for a trustworthy mechanic who can fix these issues. I'm living in south eastern suburbs of Melbourne (near clayton, springvale, dandenong areas) and would prefer to drop the car off this weekend? I think the guy quoted me a bit much.

Cheers

Seatbelt is 25 years old. Probably stopped retracting 15 years ago.

hahaboy wrote:Major things needing replacement / fixing:
- Clutch slave cylinder (replacement)
Price on part not bad, not a hard job but fiddly esp on NA where the bolts will be rusted, so labout not that bad either. You can DIY though, so google first

- Steering rack (replacement?) - makes sounds when turning
COnfirm it's the rack and not jsut a bush or something. if it is the rack buy a good secondhand unit

- Seat belt replacement (replacement / fix) - no longer retracts back. It worked when i bought it. Might have pulled it too hard.
pulling too hard won't kill a seatbelt, they can survive huge forces from an accident. either pull the mechanism and clean it a bit (Maybe clagged with dirt and sh*t) or buy a good secondhand belt unit. new ones are pretty costly

- Passenger window (fix) - automatic window works, but requires a bit of luck and patience to work. Might be issue with wiring? window regulator?
often they just gum up with old grease etc. pull off the door trim, clean out the window runners etc and give them a fresh coat of lithium grease or similar.

I've listed my thoughts above in bold.

Also with the windows clean the contact switches in the arm rest. It is a bit fiddley but take your time it is worth the effort.

Hi.
As magpie suggested clean the switches but beware they contain small springs therefore but the switch in a bag to open and you will not lose the springs.

As sometimes occurs, quote appears to be based on worst case scenarios, hence the total price. However steering rack & power window issues, as already indicated, might be solved much more easily & economically. So take the car to someone that knows the common faults & fixes for MX5s.

Given you want it done within two weeks, with the 4 day Easter break looming, if finances allow take it to one of the following SE of Melb:
Dean @ Motorsports Essentials, 6 Macbeth St, Braeside, 9587 0079;
Allmaz, 492 Clayton Rd, Clayton, 9544 7044; or
Gerald & Chaz @ Mammi Motors, 10 Industrial Drv, Somerville, 5977 7973.

First up - its just about impossible to buy a registered car in Vic without a rwc- amongst other things it cannot be dríven without a UVP or it should not be dríven at all- and Vicroads will not transfer it into your name without a rwc.

It looks like you have an rwc already done then presumably the +$150 has been paid and that leaves getting those items fixed inside of 1 mth or start over again.

Any business is going to charge at least $70 per hour for labour.

93's recommendations look good to me as far as location is concerned- just give them a ring or fax/ e mail / scan the info etc and see what they have to say. I doubt you will save much doing things yourself unless you have the facilities and the time and the knowledge. I am told Allmaz sell used parts as well for MX5.

If the items on the rwc are repaired then it will get passed who ever does it. If you get another quote and its too high then go back to the guy who quoted you- I suspect you can get an idea of whether the costs are reasonable by just telling a repairer what needs to be done.

Mr Morlock wrote: I am told Allmaz sell used parts as well for MX5.

Correct, they sell both new and used parts, and also do mechanical work.

I had my timing belt and water pump changed by them, and my clutch replaced by them, a few years ago now, and I was happy with their service. I also found their pricing was very good (even on new parts)

sweet. thank you for all the info guys.

Spoke with allmaz today and they quoted cheaper prices for all of the main things. I will pick up some of the items after work tomorrow and attempt over easter break.

If anyone is just a keen mechanic and/or likes working on cars for fun, would love some help over the weekend? Can pay with a slab of beer and lunch?

yeh, the steering rack issue, was mentioned by the rwc mechanic as "when turning, it makes a sound". He suspects maybe old and/or oil issues etc. Hence recommended to have it replaced. Seems a bit extensive, but what can i do?

Will attempt cleaning the window switch and lubing the window runners too. Hopefully that fixes it. ~$500 for something like a passanger window which i don't care too much about sounds pretty expensive.

Talk to Allmaz about the rack.

I can't recall if they have a RWC licence, if they do they may not think it's a problem (really depends on the noise)

Re window, you may also find that replacing or recharging the battery can assist, as when they get a bit low they'll start the car ok, but slow the power windows down. If you recharge rather than replace then do it immediately prior to RWC & turn the sound system off so it's also not draining power at the same time as operating the power windows. Re steering rack, tie-rod ends & rack bushes would be worth checking prior replacing whole rack.

Nice idea 93_clubman! Yeh, will try recharging the battery. don't worry, the car comes without a music player so no power drain that way

Went to Allmaz today. Good guys. Will get them to do the steering rack and clutch slave cylinder, and any of the other things I can't get fixed during the 4 day weekend. They were a little cheaper than my quote just for those two jobs.

hahaboy wrote:They were a little cheaper than my quote just for those two jobs.

Also worth checking with Motorsports Essentials, 6 Macbeth St Braeside, 9587 0079 - they have been very good price-wise.

sweet 93. Looks like they mainly do race cars and all though?

Update for anyone interested / need a hand in the future:

- wipers: Done
- Rear brake light: Done
- Front bumper: got no idea what looseness / sound the mechanic found. I can't see anything, but will play with it tomorrow.
- Automatic windows: Cleaning the automatic window switches and sanding off the excess carbon has got the windows working like a charm. Also put in some silicon spray into the runners. Doesn't seem to have improved anything, but hasn't made it worse either. Definitely enough to pass road worthy
- Seatbelt: Managed to remove 90% of the mechanism from the car. Got it to retract back in, but now i got the reverse issue that the belt doesn't come out anymore. Currently got it in hot soapy water (based on advice from this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KA_q_AMjmQ). Hoping it does work - worse case, the whole thing needs replacement from allmaz next week.

Any advice on the seat belt? I tried holding it flush so its in line with how it would be mounted, so the ball joint/weight is in the right spot. Not working.

Anyone got a guide to open them up and play with it?

hahaboy wrote:Any advice on the seat belt? I tried holding it flush so its in line with how it would be mounted, so the ball joint/weight is in the right spot. Not working.

Anyone got a guide to open them up and play with it?

Given the purpose of the device I'd be inclined to just a properly functioning replacement.

You may get it working well enough for a while to pass a RWC but it needs to be actually able to do the job it's designed for, your life may depend on it......