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Post by gwnwar on Jul 21, 2014 6:33:30 GMT
Pressing the axle out of the rear hub is the way to go and faster. Don't beat to much on the axle end it will mushroom keep the nut on loose to the end..
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Post by ashneyder on Jul 21, 2014 15:47:10 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. I have contacted these guys. They don't have the "oven" big enough to accommodate an exocet frame.
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Post by greg on Jul 21, 2014 16:15:27 GMT
To get the ball joints out requires a press tool. You can rent them at places like Advance Auto or Autozone. Just tell them you need a ball joint press tool.
Using it is easy. I taught myself how to use it with YouTube. It's as simple as hammering out the clip and pressing it out using a couple cups. Takes minutes.
I have one too and done several if you need help. You're not far from me.
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Post by kecclest on Jul 21, 2014 16:38:36 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. I have contacted these guys. They don't have the "oven" big enough to accommodate an exocet frame. I knew they couldn't handle the whole frame; that's why I had to unfortunately have Exomotive coat it. I probably contacted 15 local coaters and none could handle the frame.
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Post by ashneyder on Jul 21, 2014 18:47:30 GMT
I have contacted these guys. They don't have the "oven" big enough to accommodate an exocet frame. I knew they couldn't handle the whole frame; that's why I had to unfortunately have Exomotive coat it. I probably contacted 15 local coaters and none could handle the frame. The guy @ www.eastcoastpowdercoating.com/ quoted me $500 for the frame in gloss black and another $100 for control arms.
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Post by ashneyder on Jul 21, 2014 18:58:08 GMT
To get the ball joints out requires a press tool. You can rent them at places like Advance Auto or Autozone. Just tell them you need a ball joint press tool. Using it is easy. I taught myself how to use it with YouTube. It's as simple as hammering out the clip and pressing it out using a couple cups. Takes minutes. I have one too and done several if you need help. You're not far from me. Thanks Greg. Have you even done it on on a Miata. From what I have read today, it sounds like they are not meant to come out. I was planning to powder coat the control arms along with the Exocet frame, but seeing the oem bushing are in a decent shape and the hassle of removing and repressing the ball joints (or degreasing them before coating), I wonder if I should just paint them instead. Having said that, if I do decide to go though with this, I would definitely take you up on your offer.
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Post by greg on Jul 21, 2014 19:41:37 GMT
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Post by jwagner on Jul 22, 2014 3:58:00 GMT
Upper ball joints don't come out, you just buy a new (or used) upper arm. Generally, unless they have a ton of miles on them or were driven with bad boots for a long time they aren't supposed to need replacing. Just re-grease and replace the boots. There are some aftermarket upper ball joints (v8roadsters sell them). Don't have personal experience but I've read that they should be tack welded in, especially in a track car.
Lower joints are obviously easily replaceable.
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Post by greg on Jul 22, 2014 11:18:05 GMT
Upper ball joints don't come out, you just buy a new (or used) upper arm. Generally, unless they have a ton of miles on them or were driven with bad boots for a long time they aren't supposed to need replacing. Just re-grease and replace the boots. There are some aftermarket upper ball joints (v8roadsters sell them). Don't have personal experience but I've read that they should be tack welded in, especially in a track car. Lower joints are obviously easily replaceable. Gotcha. So its like the 95-99 eclipse (im a Mitsubishi guy if you can't tell). When they redesigned the car, they switched to a dual control arm setup like the miata up front and there was a recall for the upper ball joint coming out. The revised upper arm didn't have serviceable ball joints to avoid the issue of it popping out.
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Post by ashneyder on Jul 23, 2014 1:05:18 GMT
What's the easiest way to remove the rear dust shields? Should I just cut or chisel them off?
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Post by jwagner on Jul 23, 2014 3:28:45 GMT
IIRC they are pressed on and you can knock them off with a hammer and chisel. Fronts are bolted on.
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Post by ashneyder on Jul 23, 2014 21:01:36 GMT
Got past the dust guards. Thank you everyone for advice.
Next step is to disconnect the half-shaft from the differential. I hear they somehow snap out with a pry-bar, but I am not sure what exactly I need to do to get there. Any help appreciated.
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Post by gwnwar on Jul 23, 2014 21:46:12 GMT
If you have 2 piece half shafts unbolt them from stub axle.. if one piece pull rear hub/upright loose from upper and lower control arms.. really just the upper will do. Use 2 pry bars or long screwdrivers (long) one on each side of axle in diff between diff and hub.. push of pull to pop it out.. Drain diff first and loosen the fill plug. might have to rotate axle to a different spot to pop it out..
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Post by jwagner on Jul 24, 2014 21:54:20 GMT
If you have 2 piece half shafts unbolt them from stub axle.. if one piece pull rear hub/upright loose from upper and lower control arms.. really just the upper will do. Use 2 pry bars or long screwdrivers (long) one on each side of axle in diff between diff and hub.. push of pull to pop it out.. Drain diff first and loosen the fill plug. might have to rotate axle to a different spot to pop it out.. I don't think '99s were two piece, so the prybars should pop them out. It's easier with two people.
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Post by ashneyder on Jul 25, 2014 15:31:26 GMT
Thanks gwnwar and jwagner. I am still having a hard time visualizing this in my head. I will try it on Saturday. Once the half shafts are out, I'll be able to take off the differential to replace all the oil seals. Since the rear subframe will be free, I will use it as a test subject to try out this kit www.kbs-coatings.com/chassis-paint-kit.html. If it works well, I will be using it on the control arms. Also sold the remaining two big pieces of the Miata body: the shell and the dash. At this point, outside the exhaust all the big pieces are gone. Plan to do a lot of masking, priming and paining in the upcoming couple of weeks.
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