I may need some hands on help soon

[brock]

I'd love to help out, but I'll be in Tulsa that weekend.

I have done this about a dozen times playing around on my car and once you have done it once or twice it takes about 1-1.5 hours. The way that I do it is to remove the upper control arm mounting bolt on the front suspension. This is the method that was suggested by Andy Hollis, and the instructions can be found here on the board. There is just something that I have against hammering on a ball joint. Here is the tool list as far as I can remember:

1 - 21mm box end wrench
1 - 17mm box end wrench
1 - 21mm socket
1 - 17mm socket
1 - 14mm deep socket
1 - 17mm deep socket
1 - 10mm socket
1 - 14mm socket
1 - 14mm box end wrench
6" socket extension
3" socket extension
spring compressor

When removing the rear shock/spring assembly I have found it necessary to use the rear fender well as leverage when pushing down on the rear suspension with your foot. Also on the rear springs make sure to get the spring compressor as far toward the top and bottom of the spring as possible. If you don't you may need someone to push down on the top perch to get the retaining nut in place.

[Billy Blaze]

Thanks a lot for the advise and tool list!

[sammm]

Add a torque wrench to that list.

[altiain]

I'll second the Hollis technique of removing the upper control arm through bolt. The first time I changed shocks on my Miata, I did it the old-fashioned way (having cut my teeth on Hondas and their more durable ball joints), and hosed up a ball joint, even using the proper tool to remove a ball joint (you people use hammers ). The last three? or four? times I've swapped shocks I've used Andy's method, and it works great.

[tailchaser]

I'm fond of the San Diego method myself... I think sammm and bean have lots of practice at it, too... No ball joints to break that way, either.

[POS Racing]

I'm fond of the San Diego method myself... I think sammm and bean have lots of practice at it, too... No ball joints to break that way, either.

Oh I like that one also, an instant classic!

[tailchaser]

I'm fond of the San Diego method myself... I think sammm and bean have lots of practice at it, too... No ball joints to break that way, either.

Oh I like that one also, an instant classic!

I guess I should post the link, huh?

[sammm]

I'm fond of the San Diego method myself... I think sammm and bean have lots of practice at it, too... No ball joints to break that way, either.

Oh I like that one also, an instant classic!

Yep. That's the way to do it!

[Billy Blaze]

OK i think I have everything except the box wrench's, Torque wrench, and spring compressors.
So does that weekend work for ya'll? if so which day Saturday or Sunday?
I will hook up some good groceries...lol
and I need to know what everyone would like for beverages ie ..what flavor of beer and sodas?
May have some Yaeger Bombs too, in case someone gets tired
Deffinition; Yaeger Bomb...Yaegermeister and Red Bull, in shot form.
This is my wifes favorite drink, it is very good and will wake you up!
Thanks again, I copied the info from the link to my Hard drive I appreciate that info.
Can't wait to get this done and get some seat time Auto X ing.
However my wife is about fed up with me, I guess that comes with the territory....lol
POS, you have it made your wife is an Miata Fan too right? Lucky Dog

[POS Racing]

POS, you have it made your wife is an Miata Fan too right? Lucky Dog

Yep her everyday driver is a 2002 Vivid Yellow Miata, it's good to be me!

[riverracer]

[Treibenschnell]

I'm fond of the San Diego method myself... I think sammm and bean have lots of practice at it, too... No ball joints to break that way, either.

[MadMerv]

I'm fond of the San Diego method myself... I think sammm and bean have lots of practice at it, too... No ball joints to break that way, either.

Oh I like that one also, an instant classic!

Yep. That's the way to do it!

Ditto on that! I've done more than I can count (unless I take my shoes off!), and found that to be the best way. One little hint, no matter what choice you chose, front or rear: DISCONNECT THE SWAY BARS FROM BOTH SIDES FIRST! OK, another hint: DON"T TIGHTEN ANY OF THE BOLTS UNTIL YOU HAVE WEIGHT ON THE CAR. Otherwise, you pre-load the bushings, which stresses everything.

[Billy Blaze]

Kewl I didnt know about the sways but had read about the problems with shops tightening the bolts with the car in the air.
How soon do I NEED to get that allignment afterwards? I was thinking within a week, don't want to wear my new tires already.

[Billy Blaze]

hhmmm, looks like most everyone will be out at the races the weekend of the 23rd.
What about the weekend of the 30th? if so Sat? or Sun?
or...
If I get them in Time what about Sun the 17th?, FM says I should have them by this Sat.

I am open.

And much thanks for even offering to help.

Would it be better if I brought the car closer, to someone elses Garage?

[altiain]

How soon do I NEED to get that allignment afterwards? I was thinking within a week, don't want to wear my new tires already.

Erm... no.

Typically you want to get an alignment as soon after you replace the shocks and springs (especially the springs, which will have a much greater effect on ride height and alignment settings) as possible.

Driving it around for a week without getting an alignment probably won't cause you ridiculous amounts of tire wear, but your car will probably handle pretty strangely.

[Billy Blaze]

Great!, I dont ususally have to drive the car I could let it sit til I can get the allignment done,...as soon as I can get an apointment.

I guess I dont need to worry about it til I get the stuff put on.

[Billy Blaze]

UPS shows a scheduled delivery date of Friday the 15th on the springs.

They still have not even cashed the MO I sent for the muffler yet, and I sent it the day after the springs, on the 7th.
Frustration level is starting to hit maximum levels.
I may end up having them send the money back and going a completely different route, even though I really dont want to, but I aint gonna wait a month for my order either.

At any rate I am planing on the weekend of the 23rd, for replacing my shocks, springs, and dustboots.

It looks like I may end up having to do it myself, thats one way to get rid of competition let them kill themselves with a runaway compressed spring...lol
Wont be the first time I got myself in over my head, I dont even know how a spring compressor works. but I guess I can look that up too, and since I have the instructions...we'll see what happens.

[MadMerv]

hhmmm, looks like most everyone will be out at the races the weekend of the 23rd.

That's not RACING.... It's drivers ed :)

[Billy Blaze]

I was being polite...lol
To be more accurate, has something else better to do...I guess.