MX5 body removal

[Stiggy]

Short clips of the relativly easy process of preparing your donor.

[m4rky77]

I must literally be an hour away from the same job...................... shocking how quick it can be done

I've T cut panels, cleaned stuff and photographed parts for selling and it's still only took a day and a half !!!!!!

[nigel]

Aug 27, 2010 12:26:08 GMT Stiggy said:

Short clips of the relativly easy process of preparing your donor.

I just can't believe how easy it looks

Just to be sure that I understand correctly, are you saying that I need no special tools at all and that with just a standard Clark or similar engine hoist, that I can either buy or hire, I can split and remove the body shell ? and do I have to strip the car, to lighten the body, before I can remove it with the engine hoist ?

nigel

[Stiggy]

Had to laugh when I saw how black my hands were.
The body weighs about 260kgs so it is an easy lift. I guess a strong guy on each corner could do it. Best to empty the tank first, then it balances easily. You can't take the tank out with it on the subframes. If a tank goes rusty the car would have to come apart to replace it. I took all the bits off first to save weight, they need to come off anyway to sell. You can get at the bolts holding the body on without going under the car. Just take the wheels off. I forgot to remove the engine earth on one car, as i lifted the body the whole chassis came up with it.

[trevbennett]

Excellent!

I thought that once the bodyshell was removed, the chassis would drop to the floor, (because the top suspension mounts were unbolted, and would rise), but cant see any support under the chassis - so is it self supporting somehow? This would be great for me because I could still move the chassis in and out of the garage.

Cheers for now,

Trev.

[Stiggy]

Well done for noticing Trev, you are correct the diff and engine would sink to the floor, BUT, I wegded a short tube between the top and bottom wishbones on each corner. They hold it up.
The main battery cable can stay on. Just push it through the floor in the boot and leave it attached at the other end to the alty and starter. Regards Stiggy

[trevbennett]

Very clever indeed - will remember that trick. Ideal for me to push the chassis around and not rush into putting the Exocet chassis straight on.

Trev.

[Stiggy]

Just a piece of tube wedged in does the trick. Otherwise the diff and engine need propping up when you lift the body off.

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[Andy888]

Ah that is very useful to know!! Thanks. Hopefully reach this stage next week stripping our 5.

[vmvcars]

Now taking up a collection to get Stuart some Mechanix gloves