Mechanically inclined but nervous to take the first leap

[mtrx804]

Im illiterate. I can't not no none read more gooder.

I also have this book.

[Sharpie]

His miata has a lot of parts that most miatas don't have. But it should help you with suspension stuff,etc. Go through the build thread on Bert on the Flyin' Miata website, and call FM with any questions.

[Rogue]

"Gator bait" bought "Bert", not "Grasshopper".

[Gator Bait]

"Gator bait" bought "Bert", not "Grasshopper".

What? Huh? Someone say my name? ...I still have 2 weeks before I get my new toy and starting my own "hold my hand" threads. Just enjoying others' until then. :)

[AnthonyS]

As Miata owners we are blessed. The Miata is one of the most shadetree mechanic friendly autos you can buy. It's not much more complicated than the cars of the '60s and '70s outside of the ECU and you don't have to tune carbs.

You want to change your boots, do it. I'd seriously consider tie rod ends and ball joints at the same time though. Brakes? Brakes on a Miata, maybe the easiest of any car of all time.

You can find a lot of good how to articles at the pointy board aka miata.net. Those and any shop manual will have you performing almost any routine maintenance. If you get stuck outside of that ask for help. If your Miata is your daily driver, you may want to hire someone like Rogue to save yourself tons of time and headaches. Nothing worse than finding out you are in over your head on Sunday night at 8pm....

[Sharpie]

"Gator bait" bought "Bert", not "Grasshopper".

Whoops. Thanks Rogue.

[Grasshopper]

Managed to replace the outer tie rods and boots last weekend. Ordered some MOOG boots online; they came with crappy zip tie like clamps but at least the boots aren't cracked anymore plus the new boots on the outer ties are nice. Learned what a pickle fork was. No difference in noise or handling, however... they are especially nice to look at ( if you are lying down on the garage floor). Looking around under the front of the car I can see the bushings are completely cracked up.

This weekend is brakes, Best Brakes brand from O'Reilly. Got pads and hardware kits. My parking brake is useless so I figured I'd so a side at a time to avoid the car rolling on me.

[POS Racing]

This weekend is brakes, Best Brakes brand from O'Reilly. Got pads and hardware kits. My parking brake is useless so I figured I'd so a side at a time to avoid the car rolling on me.

Great information on the parking brake - http://www.miata.net/garage/ebrake/ & http://www.miata.net/garage/brakepad.html

[cone-cerned]

Doing one side at a time is always a good idea, at least for me. If you get in trouble with the side you're working on, you can go around the car and look at the unmolested side.

[Aeroseeker]

I will prob get hell for this but, Mike MiataKing on YouTube had some good easy to follow info.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvL...k4kEIgcsbi03YA

[whoswatchingme]

I too have been meaning to pick up that book by Rod Grainger, always see it as highly recommended. The Miata is a great car to learn basic maintenance on since it has the easiest chassis configuration, front engine and rear wheel drive. The community of Miata owners is one of, if not the best group of enthusiasts. :)

[Grasshopper]

Last weekend was perfect for work in the garage. Car jacked up, tools and parts ready, weekend however; way to hot to hot in the garage! Working with Netflix indoors instead. Maybe next weekend for brakes. Thanks for the help, links and info!

[Bob_MX5]

...

Try and fix it! I've always gone into projects know the absolute worst thing that could happen would be the expense to tow my failed project to a mechanic.

This ^^^^. You've got tools and the right frame of mind. Time to take the pebble, grasshopper.

[Rogue]

Try and fix it! I've always gone into projects know the absolute worst thing that could happen would be the expense to tow my failed project to a mechanic.

[Grasshopper]

Wow - Just changing out the brakes made a huge difference. Previous owner neglected to or opted not to use all the hardware. Front brakes were missing springs and shims - pad were worn unevenly but the rotors looked good. Since the tie rods and brake changes most of the turning and stopping noises have gone away and the car handles much better.

Buying a new clutch and flywheel this week. Was thinking about a Stage 1. Exedy has a full organic for about $300.00 but I also saw a full organic Bahnhof on Ebay for under $100.00. Seems to good to be true. Any recommendations? My budget it about $300.00 for clutch and $300.00 for flywheel.

[Labora]

A exedy replacement shouldn't run you anywhere near that much.
http://www.amazon.com/EXEDY-10036-OE.../dp/B001B592VQ

Unless you are planning on making more power a stock clutch should be fine. (And Still drive nice.)

[Grasshopper]

Can I still use a lighter flywheel with the stock clutch?

[Labora]

Yes. Won't be a issue.