Newcastle/Hunter suspension adjustment experts?

[Xaviien]

Thanks RS!
Glad to see I'm not crazy, or overthinking things for once.
The clutch bites almost instantly when you start letting your foot off, and recently the car moved when I started the engine in 1st with the clutch fully depressed, so it doesn't seem to be completely disengaging.

Time to get stuck into the last few things before the weekend now, will report back once I've had a crack at it.

[PhilM]

Been down that path before.

[Xaviien]

First thing I did this morning was adjust it all the way out. Forgot to take it for a test drive and started doing other things, such as power window switches, replaced battery, then unreplaced battery, fabricated a new extinguisher bracket, washed car, added stickers, then remembered I had adjusted the clutch.

With it adjusted all the way out, there is now about 3-4 inches of free play from the floor to friction point. So yes, you certainly can adjust the clutch, a lot.
Where it is now is clearly not correct, and I'm headed back out now to find a happy medium, but I'm delighted to report that now my gearbox just feels notchy, like everyone else's, as opposed to being almost impossible to change into 1st, 2nd and reverse.
Besides being in a hard to reach spot, it's really easy to adjust, and worthwhile doing imho, if there's too much free play at the top or bottom, or none at either end.

[noobee]

have you first made sure your master and slave doesn't need bleeding or rebuilding and bleeding?its an often common problem with clutch pedal travel and notchy gear changes.
Mick

[Xaviien]

have you first made sure your master and slave doesn't need bleeding or rebuilding and bleeding?its an often common problem with clutch pedal travel and notchy gear changes.
Mick

Nope. I meant to replace the fluid, I'm pretty sure it's the last fluid that hasn't been replaced.
I'm pretty much outta time now before the track day this weekend, but I'll see if I can take a look on Friday morning after work.
Besides checking under the boots for signs of leakage, how would I check if it needs bleeding or rebuilding?

[PhilM]

the fluid in the master cyl reservoir should be clear - old fluid will be dark and can have bits in it.
only by bleeding it can you be sure it has not got air in it.
What time will you be doing it on Friday, I can come over and give you a hand to bleed it but I have an apointment at 11:00 so it would have to be early.
pm your address and ph no

[Xaviien]

Thanks to Phil, we got the clutch bled, and that made the clutch stop working due to all the crap ending up down in the slave.
Replaced the slave for $80, after a lot of scratched and bruised knuckles and swearing, and now the gear shifts are better than ever.
The friction point has moved 3 inches further from the floor, so I will need to adjust it again, but that just goes to show how badly the clutch was working before.

Thanks a lot Phil. Also I think you may have accidentally stolen the bolt out of that bracket hahaha.

I know it's a bit late, but back to the OP, here is my alignment printout:

[PhilM]

Glad it works ok, sorry I had to leave without finishing the job but had a apt I had to keep.
I was afraid all the crud from the master cyl might have ruined the new slave - I dont think I'v seen dirtier fluid.
I put all my tools away and do not have any bolts - they were both near the RHS ramp.
Enjoy the run and track day.

[Xaviien]

Update

Heading down to the Motorkhana practice day at Eastern Creek on Sunday the car started tramlining.
Discussed it with a few of the guys in the know, and we decided it was probably just the roads. In the space of a few hundred metres the road sometimes changed from left to right camber 2 or 3 times.

Halfway through the day the front left started clunking when turning hard to the right. Had a look and couldn't see anything except for a slight bulge in the guard. Did a quick ghetto panel beating job with my wheel brace to get that part of the guard out of the way, and it seemed to go away, for one run. Didn't seem to be affecting the handling, checked underneath again and everything seemed fine so (possibly not the smartest idea) continued on.

Front left clunked, just once, almost every time I turned the wheel. Mostly on hard right turns, such as u turns in my street.
Came home and spent a few hours over 2 days trying to find what was wrong, with no luck, so took it to my local dodgy mechanic and got it up on the hoist for a second opinion.
As I suspected (1 of 100 theories though) one of the camber bolts had come loose, so the wheel alignment was changing as the load on the suspension shifted.

Took it back to Argy Tyres, as recommended by the same dodgy mechanic when I needed the original alignment in a hurry, and they happily redid the alignment, this time with a little less snark, and a bit more genuine advice, including toeing in a bit to reduce tyre wear etc.
Once again pointed out that the alignment means next to nothing, and won't help lap times, as it's all down to the driver, tyres, driver, suspension, and mostly, driver.

Definitely would not recommend Argy Tyres, especially after reading Roadrunners horror story (really wish you had mentioned that at the beginning of this thread hahaha)
BUT at least they fixed their mess, and did it as soon as I drove in. No waiting, and no bullshit.

tl;dr
Camber bolt came loose, no damage done, bar a little bit of time wasted on the skid pan and at home.
Problem solved, won't go back for another alignment, only cheap tyres. Maybe. (my cousin works there, hopefully I can get a good deal)

[Xaviien]

I and other Hunter MX5 people have used Pedders at Gateshead, they were recommended to me 4 years ago by a regular Lotus racer, the Pedders owner does track days in his V8 ute.
I knew what I wanted but I asked for their recommendations for a semi track set up and he told me exactly what I had in mind. They have never wanted to onsell me anything.
They have done about 4 alignments for me (I fitted poly bushes and then back to oem bushes)
I am due for another as its been 18 months + I am fitting some new coil overs.

Also had other cars aligned by Toronto Tyre Power - Brett now has a MX5.

Last week I was told the Pedders Central Coast - Dare Brothers, are good too - they are motorsport competitors.

I am at Fishing Point

Despite all the warnings to the contrary, I decided to try Pedders at Gateshead at Phil's recommendation. Just to explain a little bit why, I've been helped by Phil several times in the past, and absolutely trust his advice and recommendations. Besides that, he is the local MX5 Club chapter Technical and Motorsport advisor, and regardless of my bad experience, I will still consider Phil'sadvice in future.

So I've just installed coilovers, so was looking to get an alignment, as recommended by almost everyone. I called Pedders at Gateshead on Tuesday morning to book in for Friday. Was told the earliest they could get me in would be 9:30, which suits me fine since I start work at midday, so "booked it in".
Turned up right on 9:30 and presented myself at the front desk, and after printing out my booking sheet, was asked for my key. I asked if it would be possible to sit in the car during the alignment, and was told I would need to speak with the guy that does the alignments.
5 minutes later, when the alignment guy appeared, he (like the guy at the front desk) looked at me like I was mad for wanting to sit in the vehicle during the alignment process, and then told me there were 4 cars in front of mine to be done. When I questioned the fact that I had booked in for 9:30, I was told that they expect everyone to leave, and pick up their car once the alignment was done, and if I were planning to wait with the car, that should have been advised at the time of booking.
I understand that this is the case most of the time when having most things done to a car at a shop, however an alignment is relatively fast, and this shop is in the middle of an industrial estate, so there's not really anywhere to go and wait. I guess they just expect everyone to have someone to take the home or whatever, and bring them back to pick up the vehicle when it's done.

Anyway, I told the guy I didn't have the time to wait around for hours, and was asked if I wanted to rebook. I politely advised him no, thanked him for his time and walked out.

Would not recommend them at all, and in fact I will go back to Argy Tyres before I ever go to Pedders again.
Next time I'll try Bob Jane at Kotara, as per Roadrunners suggestion. Will report back, probably some time next week.

[Xaviien]

I and other Hunter MX5 people have used Pedders at Gateshead, they were recommended to me 4 years ago by a regular Lotus racer, the Pedders owner does track days in his V8 ute.
I knew what I wanted but I asked for their recommendations for a semi track set up and he told me exactly what I had in mind. They have never wanted to onsell me anything.
They have done about 4 alignments for me (I fitted poly bushes and then back to oem bushes)
I am due for another as its been 18 months + I am fitting some new coil overs.

Also had other cars aligned by Toronto Tyre Power - Brett now has a MX5.

Last week I was told the Pedders Central Coast - Dare Brothers, are good too - they are motorsport competitors.

I am at Fishing Point

Despite all the warnings to the contrary, I decided to try Pedders at Gateshead at Phil's recommendation. Just to explain a little bit why, I've been helped by Phil several times in the past, and absolutely trust his advice and recommendations. Besides that, he is the local MX5 Club chapter Technical and Motorsport advisor, and regardless of my bad experience, I will still consider Phil'sadvice in future.

So I've just installed coilovers, so was looking to get an alignment, as recommended by almost everyone. I called Pedders at Gateshead on Tuesday morning to book in for Friday. Was told the earliest they could get me in would be 9:30, which suits me fine since I start work at midday, so "booked it in".
Turned up right on 9:30 and presented myself at the front desk, and after printing out my booking sheet, was asked for my key. I asked if it would be possible to sit in the car during the alignment, and was told I would need to speak with the guy that does the alignments.
5 minutes later, when the alignment guy appeared, he (like the guy at the front desk) looked at me like I was mad for wanting to sit in the vehicle during the alignment process, and then told me there were 4 cars in front of mine to be done. When I questioned the fact that I had booked in for 9:30, I was told that they expect everyone to leave, and pick up their car once the alignment was done, and if I were planning to wait with the car, that should have been advised at the time of booking.
I understand that this is the case most of the time when having most things done to a car at a shop, however an alignment is relatively fast, and this shop is in the middle of an industrial estate, so there's not really anywhere to go and wait. I guess they just expect everyone to have someone to take the home or whatever, and bring them back to pick up the vehicle when it's done.

Anyway, I told the guy I didn't have the time to wait around for hours, and was asked if I wanted to rebook. I politely advised him no, thanked him for his time and walked out.

Would not recommend them at all, and in fact I will go back to Argy Tyres before I ever go to Pedders again.
Next time I'll try Bob Jane at Kotara, as per Roadrunners suggestion. Will report back, probably some time next week.

[chrons_rotary]

Has anyone mentioned Monaco Performance at Kotara yet?
I've taken mine there the last 2 times, and they have adjusted as close my specs.
Also cheap and friendly.

Ken.

[Xaviien]

Has anyone mentioned Monaco Performance at Kotara yet?
I've taken mine there the last 2 times, and they have adjusted as close my specs.
Also cheap and friendly.

Ken.

No, nobody has.
I bought my new helmet and boots from there a few months back, and will be getting my seat, harness and HANS from them eventually as well, and yeah, they have the best service and cheapest prices on gear I've found, with the added bonus of being able to try it on first.
I didn't even think of getting an alignment there, I'll definitely look into it. Thanks Ken.

EDIT: I sent you a message on Facebook a few weeks back, been meaning to PM you here to go check it... ;)

[Roadrunner]

Didn't even know they did alignments there! (monaco)

When Pedders get to the car they probably do a good job there, it's just the counter staff and organisation skills lacking.
I've found most tyre shops I've experienced are the similar, it's "leave it with us" and we'll see you later this afternoon. Not real helpful when your by yourself and you've booked in at a certain time.

[Xaviien]

Didn't even know they did alignments there! (monaco)

When Pedders get to the car they probably do a good job there, it's just the counter staff and organisation skills lacking.
I've found most tyre shops I've experienced are the similar, it's "leave it with us" and we'll see you later this afternoon. Not real helpful when your by yourself and you've booked in at a certain time.

Fair enough. I figured if Argy can do it whilst I'm there, surely they all would hahaha. I should know better than to assume...
In future I'll make sure to tell whichever shop it is that I want to book in the actual time I need it done, and that I'll be staying with the car.