Rear lower suspension brace, not found on '89-90

Discussions relating to MX5 Tyre choice, Wheels, Brakes Suspension components and other items to keep you going around corners, stuck to the ground or stopping on a dime.

Moderators: Growler, jif, Born_disturbed, punkoutnz

Post Reply
4A-GE
I am quitting my job and going 5-ing
I am quitting my job and going 5-ing
Posts: 526
Joined: Wed Nov 20, 2013 2:36 pm

Rear lower suspension brace, not found on '89-90

Post by 4A-GE » Thu Jul 10, 2014 3:54 pm

I've been thinking - Is it easier/cheaper to get an aftermarket one of these, or even improvise your own as long as it's solid? The 65mph shimmy gets old fast on the open road.

warrior
I only think 5.
I only think 5.
Posts: 989
Joined: Wed Oct 06, 2010 7:11 pm
Location: auckland

Post by warrior » Thu Jul 10, 2014 4:00 pm

Just get a oem one from a wrecked car
warrior

SLYDIT
Keep calm, Forum Moderator here.
Keep calm, Forum Moderator here.
Posts: 1610
Joined: Sun May 21, 2006 6:18 pm
Location: In the Garage.

Post by SLYDIT » Thu Jul 10, 2014 5:26 pm

try changing a few other things too. my car doesnt have the brace and i dont have the shimmy. although i will probably add one anyway..

my car used to shimmy with crappy tires. changed to better quality tires and it dissappeared
RED '90 TURBO.
SCARING PRIUS DRIVERS SINCE 2002

4A-GE
I am quitting my job and going 5-ing
I am quitting my job and going 5-ing
Posts: 526
Joined: Wed Nov 20, 2013 2:36 pm

Post by 4A-GE » Thu Jul 10, 2014 5:43 pm

Alignment and balancing the wheels has helped immensely, but it still rattles between 110 and about 125. Not ideal when passing.

warrior
I only think 5.
I only think 5.
Posts: 989
Joined: Wed Oct 06, 2010 7:11 pm
Location: auckland

Post by warrior » Thu Jul 10, 2014 6:16 pm

Some cars it never goes away. One of my cars does it and the other does not.

And tisk tisk that is speeding. :lol:
warrior

SLYDIT
Keep calm, Forum Moderator here.
Keep calm, Forum Moderator here.
Posts: 1610
Joined: Sun May 21, 2006 6:18 pm
Location: In the Garage.

Post by SLYDIT » Thu Jul 10, 2014 11:11 pm

4A-GE wrote:Alignment and balancing the wheels has helped immensely, but it still rattles between 110 and about 125. Not ideal when passing on a racetrack.
there fixed it for ya. :) haha
RED '90 TURBO.
SCARING PRIUS DRIVERS SINCE 2002

Timmo
I count 5-s in my sleep
I count 5-s in my sleep
Posts: 393
Joined: Mon Sep 07, 2009 1:08 pm
Location: Takanini

Post by Timmo » Fri Jul 11, 2014 10:00 am

I also got it my 97 NA (i.e. with all the underbody bracing plus a roll bar)....but apparently it was my prop shaft which was slightly bent.
Best to find an MX5 at the wreckers- It may not fix the shimmy but it will tighten up the chassis and make your suspension work in a more ideal fashion.
Ex: 1991 BRG NA6, 1998 White RS, 1997 Wine Merlot M Edition

MrGrey
I have stars, you haven't. Deal with it
I have stars, you haven't.  Deal with it
Posts: 1172
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2013 3:52 am
Location: Northland

Post by MrGrey » Fri Jul 11, 2014 10:47 am

any chance that someone has a photo of what this brace looks like?

Angreal
I have stars, you haven't. Deal with it
I have stars, you haven't.  Deal with it
Posts: 1621
Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2009 10:13 pm
Location: At the pub

Post by Angreal » Fri Jul 11, 2014 11:27 am

MrGrey wrote:any chance that someone has a photo of what this brace looks like?
The powers of google :wink:

Image

SLYDIT
Keep calm, Forum Moderator here.
Keep calm, Forum Moderator here.
Posts: 1610
Joined: Sun May 21, 2006 6:18 pm
Location: In the Garage.

Post by SLYDIT » Fri Jul 11, 2014 12:12 pm

i have seen some DIY setups like the above where they weld a "L" bracket to the back/inside subframe right where the wishbone bushes are and then bolt the crushed 20/25mm bar to that. you have to remove the wishbones to fit/weld the L bracket bolt though.
Last edited by SLYDIT on Fri Jul 11, 2014 1:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
RED '90 TURBO.
SCARING PRIUS DRIVERS SINCE 2002

MrGrey
I have stars, you haven't. Deal with it
I have stars, you haven't.  Deal with it
Posts: 1172
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2013 3:52 am
Location: Northland

Post by MrGrey » Fri Jul 11, 2014 1:14 pm

thanks angreal, sorry i was so lazy :wink:

bgnz
Tentative sideways sliding....
Tentative sideways sliding....
Posts: 46
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2013 7:54 am

Post by bgnz » Fri Jul 11, 2014 4:14 pm

dude you need to hit up mx5mart, they do them. I've only had it once in my first 89 na and it was cured by a combination of the lower braces and the seatbelt tower brace. Did them all at once so can't say which was the one that actually did it.

Helped keep it stable when doing 180Km/h on the racetrack.

My 1800 and current v-spec don't suffer from it.

SLYDIT
Keep calm, Forum Moderator here.
Keep calm, Forum Moderator here.
Posts: 1610
Joined: Sun May 21, 2006 6:18 pm
Location: In the Garage.

Post by SLYDIT » Fri Jul 11, 2014 6:13 pm

just be aware that the later subframe braces dont actually bolt up to a non braced car. the point of attachment at the front floorpan is a PITA. You cant just drill a hole in the floorpan to mount it as it actually mounts to an inaccessible box section.
You could use the braced subframe with custom (longer) brace bars that come forward so you can just bolt them through the floorpan under the seat.

explanation here: (i dont recomend hacking a hole in the box section like these guys did..)
http://5xracing.com/p-508-mazdamiataparts.html
RED '90 TURBO.
SCARING PRIUS DRIVERS SINCE 2002

WideOpenThrottle
I have stars, you haven't. Deal with it
I have stars, you haven't.  Deal with it
Posts: 1293
Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2008 11:35 am
Location: 36.8167° S, 174.4167° E

Post by WideOpenThrottle » Fri Jul 11, 2014 8:27 pm

I have been told that any welding of brackets for braces may require you to get a cert! Something to watch out for :(
1989 NA 1650
1998 NB 1800
2005 NC 2000
1990 Landcruiser
Surfboard
Push-bike
Hiking shoes

4A-GE
I am quitting my job and going 5-ing
I am quitting my job and going 5-ing
Posts: 526
Joined: Wed Nov 20, 2013 2:36 pm

Post by 4A-GE » Fri Jul 11, 2014 10:14 pm

This got annoying fast.

Post Reply

Return to “MX5 Suspension, Wheels, Tyres & Brakes etc”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 16 guests