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Post by ashneyder on Jun 23, 2014 18:12:13 GMT
Thanks. I already loosened the rear axel. Have been reading other build threads very carefully, trying not to repeat any mistakes. I might still do 2x4's not to have them hit the floor
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Post by ashneyder on Jul 4, 2014 13:33:20 GMT
Big milestone last weekend: the body has been separated from the rest. I ended up using belts with the engine hoist, which made it awkward at first, but then made it easier to remove the tank and the rest of the fuel system components. Now the body is waiting to be picked up while being power-washed by hurricane Arthur.
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Post by ashneyder on Jul 4, 2014 13:54:50 GMT
Overall subframes and control arms are in decent shape. But the was another unpleasant surprise waiting for me in the back. From what I can tell (no mechanical experience) by searching online and asking around, the differential oil seal might be leaking. Haven't checked the level itself yet, nor the breather vent (if it needs to be cleaned). This seems to be the replacement seal atkinsrotary.com/store/94-05-Miata-Rear-Differential-Pinion-Oil-Seal-MA02-27-165.htmlDoes anyone have any suggestions or recommendation?
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Post by ashneyder on Jul 4, 2014 13:57:49 GMT
I am still undecided whether I should powder coat subframes and control arms along with exocet frame or just paint them. I am leaning towards powder coating everything, what do you guys think?
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Post by mathew on Jul 4, 2014 17:25:32 GMT
I painted mine but if i was to do it all again id definitely go down the powder coated route.
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Post by exoRy on Jul 4, 2014 17:49:39 GMT
you're making good progress!!
I've just (last weekend) got all the wishbones and everything separated, personally I'm getting them blasted/powder coated. Really like the finish on a few I've seen already and there's a place only 3 mins from me which does it. Haven't got a solid quote yet, but its looking at around £250.
Definitely phone around some local businesses that do it and get a few quotes, for the hassle of cleaning and painting it all yourself and (maybe) not getting as good a finish as blasting/coating I'd say go for it!
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Post by kecclest on Jul 4, 2014 18:12:09 GMT
If you decide to coat, checkout Bonehead Performance just across the border in PA. I recall them quoting me $300-$400 to blast and coat all the control arms, subframes, and PPF. I had already sent my parts off to a different vendor before I got their quote, so I can't attest to quality, but they do handle larger commercial jobs so they have to be decent.
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Post by ashneyder on Jul 6, 2014 3:15:14 GMT
If you decide to coat, checkout Bonehead Performance just across the border in PA. I recall them quoting me $300-$400 to blast and coat all the control arms, subframes, and PPF. I had already sent my parts off to a different vendor before I got their quote, so I can't attest to quality, but they do handle larger commercial jobs so they have to be decent. Thanks. I'll check them out.
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Post by ashneyder on Jul 6, 2014 3:21:27 GMT
The RAL swatches were delivered today: The color scheme I'm thinking about is glossy black frame and wheels with yellow orange panels. These are the two colors I have narrowed it down to:
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Post by bauer on Jul 6, 2014 3:35:44 GMT
I would go the top one here is why: The colour is melon yellow and that sounds like mello yellow which we all know is more famous for Days of Thunder than any soft drink. Then your car can be just like Cole Trickle and when people say "what is it" you can simply and cooly reply "because NASCAR" or that may just lead you to choose the other colour enjoying the build thread btw
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Post by tacan on Jul 6, 2014 5:08:35 GMT
Definitely replace all three diff seals, and the breather. Not too hard to do. The pinion has lengthy procedure to it, worth checking a shop manual. Rosenthal Mazda has the most user friendly web site for OEM parts I have seen, good prices and really good stock on hand. Stripping and painting the subframes and control arms was a pain, but also $450 cheaper than the price I was quoted.
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Post by tacan on Jul 6, 2014 5:09:28 GMT
Also, where did you find the RAL chips? I'm having a color crisis for the bodywork...
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Post by ashneyder on Jul 6, 2014 10:07:56 GMT
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Post by ashneyder on Jul 6, 2014 10:54:04 GMT
I would go the top one here is why: The colour is melon yellow and that sounds like mello yellow which we all know is more famous for Days of Thunder than any soft drink. Then your car can be just like Cole Trickle and when people say "what is it" you can simply and cooly reply "because NASCAR" or that may just lead you to choose the other colour enjoying the build thread btw Ha. I'm not sure if NASCAR would drive me towards or away from that selection
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Post by ashneyder on Jul 21, 2014 1:39:11 GMT
So after two weekends of not being able to get to the garage I found a few hours on Saturday to try to get some work done. First, I wanted to take the chassis of the jacks and move it to the cheap dollies that I bought at Harbour Freight so I can move the car around easily. It was pretty iteresting to do it by myself, but with the help with a hydrolic jack and an engine hoist, I was able tot get it done. The I started working on removing the front suspension on the passenger side. I couldn't find any pneumatic tools, so was working with hand tools. took forever. I am getting to the point where my inexperience is starting to catch up with me. While trying removing upper control arm from the rest of the assembly, I might have damaged teh bolt. Might have to use a die to fix the thread. Big Question #1: I am planning to powder coat the sub-frames and the control arms. How do I remove the ball joint from the upper control arm, so it could go in the oven? When I am done with the passender side, the neighbor shows up returning the tools. Turns out my father-in-law lent him the tools, but forgot to tell me. The driver side took a lot less time, and I learned my lesson on what not to do. Then I got the to rear end. Took off the break caliper and discs, no problems. Took of the axle nut, no problem. But when I got to the wheel hub, it wouldn't budge (front hubs came off easily). I have tried a puller, i have tried tapping on it, nothing worked. Big Question #2: How to I remove the rear wheel hubs? I had to go, so I called it a day. Today, I wanted to spend some time cleaning the garage and organizing all the parts. Tooks a few hours, but I got it done. Now the main bay where I work looks a lot cleaner with pleanty of room for the exocet frame once it gets here. I store some parts that I keeping here as well. All the parts that are for sale or being junked are in this one. And this one is where the Exocet will be parked when it is done, for now, I am trying to organize some of the parts that I am keeping or at least considering keeping for the build. I laid down some construction paper and organized all the parts.
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