Daves NA Malibu

[trader]

It's probably a bit late to start a garage thread having done over 60 mods but the last thing I'm doing is replacing all bushes and as I've learnt a few tricks along the way I thought I'd share them.

As others have said dont start this project unless you can afford to have your car off the road and have time on your hands - I agree with them!

Firstly make sure you have a good set of tools and start with the simplest method of removal before going to presses, flame guns etc. I made up a puller system out of an old jockey wheel I had and it was perfect. I used a 10 mm dia bolt at first and while it worked in one instance the new bush was drawn in on an angle took care in getting it out again. Also stripped a few bolts. Once I used a bigger dia bolt which just fitted in the sleeve there was no problems in fact it became a breeze, just time consuming.


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I used rubber grease whenever I could and that certainly made things easier for assembly of OEM bushes..
While I had the suspension out I repainted chassis, wishbones etc. Another thing I learnt was to do one side at a time so on assembly it was easy to check which way bolts went etc. This was more important for the front and I would always recommend doing the rear first as its easier.

I marked all alignment points with white out which seemed to be the right thing to do but defeated the purpose when I painted over some of them!



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When I get the thing back on the road I will let you know if it has been worth it.

[Jeo]

Yay! Garage thread for Dave!

[ralt]

Hi.
If you are replacing oem rubber bushes which are not steel sleeved soak them in metho for 20 minutes as it shrinks rubber. Put them in wet when dry they go back to their original size.

[trader]

Still on the bushes but thought I'd show the sway bar brace that Russell Battison made for me a few years ago (blue part).My car came with a heavy duty swaybay which cracked the swaybar mount while hairing through through Tassie on an MX5 trip. It is similar to racing beats (which is only for manual steering). I made the block out of a tubular piece of stainless steel so that I could cut a groove for the power steering hose to go through.


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It has been on for nearly 5 years and no sign of either side cracking so tha's a plus!

[trader]

I never really liked the NA mirrors and was always looking for alternatives. Picked up these Eunos ones on this forum,made for MX's so fitting wasnt a problem. They were dull and would not polish up so I was about to colour code them when I decided to use our friend google. Sure enough, there was a story on how to remove the anodised finish with "Draino" and repolish. Worked a treat so I now have even more bling! Pics show some bits done and finished job.



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[trader]

I love the look of KG Works clusters but could not part with the required reddies so made my own. I also gave up on second hand ones as they are so rare. Anyway was fairly happy with the outcome and cost less than a 100 bucks. I bought brushed aluminium adhesive backed sheeting, globes from electrical store. The rings from Woolies (fridge thermometers) and the mazda logo I found on ebay (sterling silver!)


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[PaulF]

Nice one. I've been thinking about DIY'ing one of these myself.

[trader]

Another thing that I was not happy with was the cheap looking Mazda badge. I replaced it with a colour coded one from an Rx3. The Key hole is finished off with an old bike derailier found in the shed.



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[trader]

Mucking around with my cluster before slug_dub's blue faces turn up. I really like the vintage look but doesnt really go with malibu so AWD blue faces will give me a more custom approach. I think I will keep the red needles though..Got to have another go at the vinyl background and this time wont use instant glue as it goes under the finish. Will sample others like Araldite.

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[jules]

Looking good!

[trader]

With Slug_dub's help I've ended up with this! All it needs now is for someone to tell me yellow needles would look better! What I really need tro know is how to recalibrate.

[trader]

Got back fronm Tassie two weeks ago to find that shadecloth had separated from carport in high winds and the connecting hook had proceeded to smash into car putting what looks like hail damage on door and fender!



Being anal about my cars (except for the other halfs') I got to work today to remove Aerotech nose cone as I want to paint the top of the nose cone which is faded. Couple of little dings is turning into a mountain.



Also had a torsen delivered today so things are on the move!

[myredmx5]

Would be very interested to know how to remove perspex cover as mine is cracked.

PS I need a replacement perspex screen to replace my broken one.

[trader]

Today I started on my torsen conversion. No pics as none required - soundtrack would have been fun though as not only could I not get a hub nut off, the same axle is also solidly on. Dave (Cargo exhaust freed the hub nut) but looks like I'll be back there tomorrow for shaft removal in a press! Currently soaking overnight in WD40 so may have some luck. One of those jobs that should have been finished by now but looks like most of tomorrow also!

[trader]

So the torsen went in without to much trouble. Had to take one drive shaft to Carco to get it out of the hub. Even though it had been soaked overnight it still took all the press' full 50 tonnes to free it. The best part of the conversion is the noise like a layshaft bearing noise has gone. However there are other new noises that make need some attention in the future. For the moment its on holidays as its gone to the painter this morning for a week or more.