Exocet build (complete novice ) Ali Dunn

[alistair]

Hi Every one

So i'm pretty new here and new the to the Exocet but I did own an Mx5 for 6 years and loved every minuet of it but after selling my beloved 5 I was kinda stumped at what I could have next, one thing led to another and here I am.

A little about my self: My name is Al (please feel free to scroll down to avoid be bored s###less) and I am 40 years old but mental age of 18, I am not what you would call a mechanic but I can do most of the simple things with cars (be warned I will ask some very simple questions at times and might even make my self look a bit stupid).
I have been in the Automotive glazing industry lol just posh words for Windscreen fitter's, I have been in the industry for 24 years and have worked on some fantastic cars in the process.

I had the pleasure of this little beauty last week.
I have a keen eye for detail and like every thing to be perfect and I think that's where I might struggle a bit with the exocet build. but too late now the kit is on order and I should be collecting it early December.

[alistair]

This is my donor car, hmm very nice colourit has got 86k on the clock and seems to run very nice managed to get it for a good price as the sill's where very much on their way out and I think the colour of it didnt do it any favours lol

[alistair]

So I have been looking at alot of the other build threads and got some very useful tips like putting lables on the wiring loom ect and so on, I am now at this stage

is it just me or is photo bucket really clunky at the moment?.

[alistair]

so ok I did warn you all about silly questions, well here is the first of many, can some one tell me what this round black thing is and what its for, its connected to the inlet manifold and I think a fuel line?.sorry not used a very thick marker outline but its by my roll of masking tape.

Thanks

Al

[phocup]

Its your charcoal canister.   Its there for emission purposes.  I'll be removing mine as California don't require it for registration.   

[timbo]

Welcome to the forum!

Charcoal canister - can be binned, just blank off the pipe inlet on the manifold. Google it and you'll find plenty of info

Tim

[gwnwar]

Al.. Cut4. 8"long 2x4.. Jack up the sub frames and place 1 on each corner.. put them under the inner mount of the top control arms and lower end at the lower shock mount.. That way you can move the skate around.

[alistair]

Ahh one step ahead of yah gwnwar is you zoom in on the wishbones you will see.... Well my dad had his winters worth of logs arrive last month and they are all cut to 200mm so it was just a case of finding ones that would go in, not ideal i know but finding 4 logs was a lot easier than cutting up some nice 2x2 lol.
I have not done any work on this project this week as I have a case of "man flu" although tonight I did take one of the calipers off tonight to prep it for painting.

Thanks

Al

[alistair]

So the first problem of many I guess lol, Trying to remove the rear lower wishbone but the long bolt hub side is stuck and I mean solid, the nut has come off the other end no problem, I am guessing there is corrosion inside the bushes and thats why it wont budge.
Any idea's before I take a blow torch to it?.

Thanks

Al

[h20boynz]

Nov 8, 2016 20:27:19 GMT alistair said:

So the first problem of many I guess lol, Trying to remove the rear lower wishbone but the long bolt hub side is stuck and I mean solid, the nut has come off the other end no problem, I am guessing there is corrosion inside the bushes and thats why it wont budge.
Any idea's before I take a blow torch to it?.

Thanks

Its likely bent...mine was on one side. I sprayed plenty of penetrating fluid on it and swung on the end of the biggest breaker bar I could get, with a pipe on the end of that, and worked it back and forth until it started moving, plus a few blows on the end of the bolt, and eventually it came out. 

[gwnwar]

You can cut the bolt each side of the upright then hit or press it out. Takes last time.. Just get a new bolt..

[scottmev]

alistair I had the same problem with my rear up rights. Have a look on my build thread page two about half way down and you will see where I had to cut them and the drill out to weaken the bolt in the hub. Me and old mans build.

[alistair]

Ok Just a small update, I managed to get the lower hub bolt out with bush still attached and after alot of wd40 and heat and banging I got the bush off only to fine the bolt is bent slightly so a new one is now on order dam £12 ouch.

So I have got the rear subframe cleaned and painted and wish bones, new poly bushes are in here are some pics.

Oh and how tight do the wishbone bolts have to be as it feels quite stiff and I haven't really tighten'd them that much?.

[Fin]

Those bushings look familiar, and a nice colour combination.

I've got a complete listing of MX5 torque settings that I have cobbled together if you want. Can't upload to PhotoBucket in either PDF or Word, so PM me your email and I can send you a copy.

PS Don't forget you have to mount your mudguard/fender brackets!

[Fin]