Advice on checking steering and suspension

Theenyx5 · Postby **Theenyx5** » Tue Jun 21, 2016 7:11 pm

Hi all,

So our NB8A has been showing signs of steering or suspension issues. Was wondering if any of you knowledgeable mx5 owners can guide me in self diagnosing the issue.

The problem i'm experiencing is that the car feels like I need to grip the steering hard when going straight. If I am travelling at highway speeds in particular, a dip in the road makes the car want to turn. I'm thinking bushing may be the cause.

What do people recommend I check? I have experienced this in other cars I've owned but on our mx5 if feels a little unsafe.

Thanks in advance.

smy0003 · Postby **smy0003** » Tue Jun 21, 2016 8:09 pm

If it's that bad, jack the car up and wobble the wheels around. If there's any super obvious slop anywhere you'll be able to tell.

Also worth checking tyre pressures and that the lug nuts are tight.

At the end of the day there's too many components to diagnose over the internet, what makes you think it's the bushes?

I'd take it to a good suspension place for a diagnoses and alignment if necessary.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Wed Jun 22, 2016 12:56 pm

smy0003 wrote:I'd take it to a good suspension place for a diagnoses and alignment if necessary.

^+1 - given you bought the car a couple of months ago, especially if you haven't already had a 4 wheel alignment done, or there isn't a very recent receipt for one being done by the PO.

Theenyx5 · Postby **Theenyx5** » Wed Jun 22, 2016 10:37 pm

Thanks for the advice.
I think I'll get an alignment done and see if it makes any difference.

Theenyx5 · Postby **Theenyx5** » Wed Aug 31, 2016 5:14 pm

Can anyone recommend a good place is S.E Victoria to take my Nb for a wheel alignment? Just fitted younger springs and struts to it. Hopefully the combination will improve the feel

Odd · Postby **Odd** » Wed Aug 31, 2016 5:23 pm

First check tyre pressure....may have one tyre with low pressure

Theenyx5 · Postby **Theenyx5** » Wed Aug 31, 2016 5:58 pm

Odd wrote:First check tyre pressure....may have one tyre with low pressure

Mechanic picked up that the tyre pressures were out. One tyre had too much air

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Wed Aug 31, 2016 6:25 pm

Re opening post.

My nb feels the same, I'm putting it down to my terribly unevenly worn tyres, and the wheel bearings that started whining 18months ago that I keep ignoring.

But yeah, best option is a mechanic.
It's near impossible to check bushes etc without a hoist.

Theenyx5 · Postby **Theenyx5** » Wed Aug 31, 2016 6:57 pm

hks_kansei wrote:Re opening post.

My nb feels the same, I'm putting it down to my terribly unevenly worn tyres, and the wheel bearings that started whining 18months ago that I keep ignoring.

But yeah, best option is a mechanic.
It's near impossible to check bushes etc without a hoist.

He checked the bushes and said they look fine. I'm hoping after a good wheel alignment it'll be good as gold. Keen to test it out tonight the see if the new struts and springs have helped

madmort · Postby **madmort** » Wed Aug 31, 2016 8:09 pm

If you get an alignment make sure the shop knows what MX5 alignment figures to aim for! I had a reputable tyre franchise try to convince me to go for positive front and rear camber just last week.
To quote" I've been setting up race cars for more that 25 years so I know what I'm doing!"
I heard that with my own ears so make sure they really know what there're doing.

pcmx5 · Postby **pcmx5** » Wed Aug 31, 2016 8:20 pm

Sound advice Mark.I know who you are talking about and there are two guys at the front counter and one is great,helpful and listens and the other is a total dick.Told me my new wheels will break because he has used them on a famous racers 400RWK race car,redrilled, and they didn't cope with bouncing off the kerbs!! Really relevant to my 80 RWKW 1.5 ND road car!!

If the OP does a search he will find some good figures on this site.

Peter.

Odd · Postby **Odd** » Thu Sep 01, 2016 8:06 am

Theenyx5 wrote:
Odd wrote:First check tyre pressure....may have one tyre with low pressure

Mechanic picked up that the tyre pressures were out. One tyre had too much air

Check tyre pressure each time you fill up.....I find the manufacturers recommended pressure best

Unusual to have one tyre over-inflated.....logic says all tyres were over-inflated and 3 of the 4 have lost pressure?

StanTheMan · Postby **StanTheMan** » Thu Sep 01, 2016 9:16 am

as far as thre bushes go,
how far has your NB8A travelled?

If its low milage , its not impossible that a bush can go but more unlikely. If your car has traveled 200,000 k's or more I would be inclined to change them.

But really there are so many more less expensive things to check first.Or obvious signs.

You got an allignment.
New tyres? are the old ones worn ?
suspension arms. Are they visibly bent?
What about the shocks. How old are they? How many K's, Standard? Aftermarket?

Are you comparing the way your car handles to other MX5's?
In the past I compared a standard NB8A to fairly modified NA6 (suspension & steering). & it seemed unresponsive & virtually no feedback. But that's not a fair comparison. My point is not to badmouth your NB8A. Its more about if you are comparing it, are you comparing it in a fair way. :mrgreen:

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Thu Sep 01, 2016 12:35 pm

Theenyx5 wrote:Can anyone recommend a good place is SE Victoria to take my Nb for a wheel alignment?

SE Vic or SE Melb?
If the latter, Juffa has used & recommended someone in Moorabbin (see below), & I've used & can recommend someone in Seaford (think it was Hendersons Suspension).
http://www.mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtop ... 30&t=31004
viewtopic.php?f=30&t=51393

Theenyx5 · Postby **Theenyx5** » Thu Sep 01, 2016 7:07 pm

93_Clubman wrote:
Theenyx5 wrote:Can anyone recommend a good place is SE Victoria to take my Nb for a wheel alignment?

SE Vic or SE Melb?
If the latter, Juffa has used & recommended someone in Moorabbin (see below), & I've used & can recommend someone in Seaford (think it was Hendersons Suspension).
http://www.mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtop ... 30&t=31004
viewtopic.php?f=30&t=51393

SE Vic. Clyde north. So Moorabin ain't too bad. Thanks