Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Nonprofit
SOLD
Current SMOG and catted California exhaust manifold currently installed. RB header included with vehicle purchase but not presently installed.
Odyssey battery and K&N intake have been removed and no longer being sold with the car. They have been replaced with a Westco full size battery and the stock Mazda '99 intake assembly with a new K&N panel filter. Also, the 15x9" wheels have been sold separately.
Complete car plus all these extra parts included:
15x7.5 6UL (4) bronze, excellent condition, newer Toyos.
Spare NEW heater hoses (2) and NEW radiator hoses (2).
OBDII bluetooth diagnostic scanner code reader.
Spare stock ECU (BP4W).
Stock driver seat with sliders.
Race springs: pair 375# 2.5 dia 6", pair 430# 2.5 dia 7", pair 350# 2.5 dia 6".
OEM shifter assembly.
Federal exhaust manifold and midpipe.
Softtop Boot.
Factory service manual, well worn.
Monday, November 12, 2012
As Fate Would Have It...
There is a certain noise that a squeaky bed spring makes when you bounce up and down on a mattress. Who would have guessed it is the same noise that a failing drive shaft u-joint makes on a Miata.
Chasing the noise for a couple weeks, I first assumed the squeak was my newly installed AC belt/pulleys or the worn out brakes, so I replaced the brake pads on all four corners and while my hands were dirty I also installed my newly purchased radiator.
The squeak was still there and now my concerns focused on the clutch which is only a few months old. Amazed was I when my mechanic Rocky immediately diagnosed the u-joint problem as I backed into his shop.
Just an FYI, the noise is most prominent under deceleration and when driving in reverse, and when inspecting my faulty front u-joint there was barely any noticeable slop. The Miata's power plant frame keeps the driveline in shape so any wheel hop or vibration issues normally associated with a bad u-joint do not appear until the failure gets worse.
Unfortunately, the Miata u-joints are sealed and not easily serviceable. I purchased a new (rebuilt) replacement driveshaft from an on-line parts supplier that has new u-joints with zerk fittings and fully balanced ready to install.
I took a few days last weekend to help out instructing at Imagine Lifestyles, a supercar rental arrive-and-drive style event, and got a little left seat time couple of different Lamborghinis - LP560-4 Spyder and the LP550-2 Balboni (pictured). Great cars.
 |
| OEM front brake pads |
Chasing the noise for a couple weeks, I first assumed the squeak was my newly installed AC belt/pulleys or the worn out brakes, so I replaced the brake pads on all four corners and while my hands were dirty I also installed my newly purchased radiator.
 |
| A/C compressor and idler pulley |
The squeak was still there and now my concerns focused on the clutch which is only a few months old. Amazed was I when my mechanic Rocky immediately diagnosed the u-joint problem as I backed into his shop.
Just an FYI, the noise is most prominent under deceleration and when driving in reverse, and when inspecting my faulty front u-joint there was barely any noticeable slop. The Miata's power plant frame keeps the driveline in shape so any wheel hop or vibration issues normally associated with a bad u-joint do not appear until the failure gets worse.
Unfortunately, the Miata u-joints are sealed and not easily serviceable. I purchased a new (rebuilt) replacement driveshaft from an on-line parts supplier that has new u-joints with zerk fittings and fully balanced ready to install.
I took a few days last weekend to help out instructing at Imagine Lifestyles, a supercar rental arrive-and-drive style event, and got a little left seat time couple of different Lamborghinis - LP560-4 Spyder and the LP550-2 Balboni (pictured). Great cars.
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