Sourcing wishbones for refurb/what bushes
Discussion
Collecting bits for refresh of my mk2 RS...
Trying to source a set of second hand wishbones to refurb and rebush before getting installed in one fell swoop. Any specialist MX5 breakers I can't find on Google? Also, what sort of price is reasonable? Assume I'll get similar in return once I sell my old ones...
Once procured, need to think about bushes. OEM/IL Motorsport rubber/Superpro all seem to have their proponents. Some detractors of all things polyurethane seem to be focussed on them running dry or transmitting too much nvh.
Considering plumping for Superpro, and fitting greasegun nipples to the bush housings - how simple is this, and does it make them as long lasting as rubber? Setting a high bar for this car, so need convincing of the best performing for road use, what have your experiences been?
Cheers,
Sam
Trying to source a set of second hand wishbones to refurb and rebush before getting installed in one fell swoop. Any specialist MX5 breakers I can't find on Google? Also, what sort of price is reasonable? Assume I'll get similar in return once I sell my old ones...
Once procured, need to think about bushes. OEM/IL Motorsport rubber/Superpro all seem to have their proponents. Some detractors of all things polyurethane seem to be focussed on them running dry or transmitting too much nvh.
Considering plumping for Superpro, and fitting greasegun nipples to the bush housings - how simple is this, and does it make them as long lasting as rubber? Setting a high bar for this car, so need convincing of the best performing for road use, what have your experiences been?
Cheers,
Sam
If you do facebook then there are a couple of mx5 buy and sell groups on there. Usually several people breaking cars for less than scrapers prices. Could even stick up a wanted ad.
As for bushes after thinking of doing a similar thing I did a fair bit of research and personally felt the il Motorsport ones seemed like the best compromise. Seemed a few too many people moaning about the poly bushes and not enough praising the difference it made. Oem are just so expensive!
As for bushes after thinking of doing a similar thing I did a fair bit of research and personally felt the il Motorsport ones seemed like the best compromise. Seemed a few too many people moaning about the poly bushes and not enough praising the difference it made. Oem are just so expensive!
Polybushes on the road, particularly on a 5, are awful. Seriously, think very carefully before doing this.
The ILMotorsport rubber bushes seem the best bet if your doing the whole lot, however I'd still look at whether you really need to. They are light cars and the loads are spread over many more joints that most cars.
I did the same job on mine and simply selectively replaced bushes with the OEM replacements.
And get your arms blasted then painted, not powdercoated!
The ILMotorsport rubber bushes seem the best bet if your doing the whole lot, however I'd still look at whether you really need to. They are light cars and the loads are spread over many more joints that most cars.
I did the same job on mine and simply selectively replaced bushes with the OEM replacements.
And get your arms blasted then painted, not powdercoated!
Cheers, will get on facebook, and trawl the classifieds for a reg number I can use as my import one doesn't seem to work on a lot of parts places!
Snotrag, little confused by the reticence regarding polybushes. Currently have them on my significantly lighter (over 200kg) daily with no issues - although I do treat them like bearings, not bushes. Also, have rubber mounts instead of poly for things that should be held effectively 'still' (not applicable on my daily, but for instance the diff bushes on the mx5).
Still, asked for opinions, so interested in why you dislike them so much. If NVH fair enough, if loss of compliance in the suspension I'd typically assume poor fit/installation/maintenance - fit is apparently assured with Superpro, installation I'll have to wing (!), maintenance would be twice yearly pumping with a grease gun and red rubber grease (awesome stuff!). No expert though, so feel free to tell me I'm wrong!
Maybe a mix and match depending on individual bush is the way forward? Hmm.
As for coating, powder will not be making an appearance! Current thought is blast/clean/etch primer then some form of durable paint. Have a lot of boatyards etc. near me on the South Coast so thinking of getting their views - I know the Bilt Hamber stuff has a very loyal following...
Snotrag, little confused by the reticence regarding polybushes. Currently have them on my significantly lighter (over 200kg) daily with no issues - although I do treat them like bearings, not bushes. Also, have rubber mounts instead of poly for things that should be held effectively 'still' (not applicable on my daily, but for instance the diff bushes on the mx5).
Still, asked for opinions, so interested in why you dislike them so much. If NVH fair enough, if loss of compliance in the suspension I'd typically assume poor fit/installation/maintenance - fit is apparently assured with Superpro, installation I'll have to wing (!), maintenance would be twice yearly pumping with a grease gun and red rubber grease (awesome stuff!). No expert though, so feel free to tell me I'm wrong!
Maybe a mix and match depending on individual bush is the way forward? Hmm.
As for coating, powder will not be making an appearance! Current thought is blast/clean/etch primer then some form of durable paint. Have a lot of boatyards etc. near me on the South Coast so thinking of getting their views - I know the Bilt Hamber stuff has a very loyal following...
Which ones do you have, and how were they lubricated?
Interested to hear as the more reading I do the more it seems some people have huge issues, some none at all... Trying to figure out what makes the difference!
Did look up the IL Motorsports rubber bushes earlier on MX5 Parts. Knowing them there'll be a flash sale in the next couple of weeks so may just go for them...
Interested to hear as the more reading I do the more it seems some people have huge issues, some none at all... Trying to figure out what makes the difference!
Did look up the IL Motorsports rubber bushes earlier on MX5 Parts. Knowing them there'll be a flash sale in the next couple of weeks so may just go for them...
I did a deal with a local MX5 specialist. They lent me a full set of 2nd hand subframes and wishbones with the bushes pressed out (no deposit asked for). I took them off to the powder coaters for media blasting, hot zinc dipping and two coats of Plascoat. I supplied a full set of IL Motorsport bushes, new alignment bolts and a few other bits (e.g. steering rack mounts and a new brake pipe for the rear subframe) and the garage refitted the lot for a very reasonable sum. They kept the old subframes and wishbones off my car. The garage also supplied and fitted a slippy diff and a set of Gaz Gold Pros. While I think this is entirely do-able as a DIY job, if you have the space and time, I was able to drop the car off one Saturday and pick it up a week later, which worked well for me and was worth a few £££
cwinterb said:
I did a deal with a local MX5 specialist. They lent me a full set of 2nd hand subframes and wishbones with the bushes pressed out (no deposit asked for). I took them off to the powder coaters for media blasting, hot zinc dipping and two coats of Plascoat. I supplied a full set of IL Motorsport bushes, new alignment bolts and a few other bits (e.g. steering rack mounts and a new brake pipe for the rear subframe) and the garage refitted the lot for a very reasonable sum. They kept the old subframes and wishbones off my car. The garage also supplied and fitted a slippy diff and a set of Gaz Gold Pros. While I think this is entirely do-able as a DIY job, if you have the space and time, I was able to drop the car off one Saturday and pick it up a week later, which worked well for me and was worth a few £££
Which mx5 specialist was that? Not a certain one my car is booked in with for some bodywork located in Pevensey? Sounds like that could be a good plan. Prep and fit at home, install and setup professionally. Saves me trying to get a 'decent' drivable setup then drive a minimum of 40 miles to the nearest place using proper alignment kit...
It's possible to get the alignment done by eye+string close enough to drive safely.
The rear subframe, wishbones, diff, halfshafts, arb, hubs, brakes and brake pipes can be built up entirely off the car then just lifted in on a jack onto the big studs + bolts, I did mine a few months back.
Unless you've got the engine out, it's easier to do the fronts individually.
The rear subframe, wishbones, diff, halfshafts, arb, hubs, brakes and brake pipes can be built up entirely off the car then just lifted in on a jack onto the big studs + bolts, I did mine a few months back.
Unless you've got the engine out, it's easier to do the fronts individually.
Sway said:
Which mx5 specialist was that? Not a certain one my car is booked in with for some bodywork located in Pevensey?
Sounds like that could be a good plan. Prep and fit at home, install and setup professionally. Saves me trying to get a 'decent' drivable setup then drive a minimum of 40 miles to the nearest place using proper alignment kit...
I'm in Essex, I used Everything MX5 in Romford and Maldon Shot Blasting and Powder Coating.Sounds like that could be a good plan. Prep and fit at home, install and setup professionally. Saves me trying to get a 'decent' drivable setup then drive a minimum of 40 miles to the nearest place using proper alignment kit...
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