Airhead
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| posted on 23/3/11 at 11:07 PM |
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Rear Suspension
OK, I now have the rear suspension brackets welded on and the arms, spindles etc all bolted up. It is very nice to have affirmation that my design
works at least on the bench. I also have the diff bolted into the frame but will cover the design in a later update.
I aligned the brackets using a very simple jig akin to those used for the fronts:
Unfortunately I forgot to take photos of the lower jig but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to work it out.
And here is the rear end bolted up.
I've got a little black book with my poems in!
My build diary: http://www.mx5-locost.co.uk
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Airhead
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| posted on 25/3/11 at 12:34 AM |
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Diff Mounting.
More progress tonight, it feels good to be back working on this project.
This evening I tackled the diff mounting. The MX5 diff is suspended by two bolts which hold the weight of the component via rubber bushes. This
means that the diff is free to move around. Mazda fixed this issue by attaching the nose of the diff housing to a big girder that runs the length of
the car and holds the gearbox and diff in line. This being the case I have fabricated a strong bracket to keep the diff in check.
The bracket is fully welded on two plates with the other two being held on by the bolts, this will allow for removal of the diff.
I've got a little black book with my poems in!
My build diary: http://www.mx5-locost.co.uk
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Airhead
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| posted on 25/3/11 at 12:40 AM |
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Wow - what a lot of progress made over the last couple of days. After what seems like ages the roadster is finally standing on her own two feet, well
four wheels.
and with the engine / gearbox fitted...
Next up, steering rack and steering column etc.
I've got a little black book with my poems in!
My build diary: http://www.mx5-locost.co.uk
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Airhead
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| posted on 31/3/11 at 10:46 AM |
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Transmission Tunnel Mods
Having got the diff mounted up and the engine sitting in the correct alignment it has become apparent that I have made my first real mistake as the
gearstick now sits about 2" lower than I originally thought. Also the engine mounts that I chose are no way man enough and I predict problems
there, the fix will be posted shortly and it doesn't affect the work done to date as the plates stay in the same position it just means a bit
more fabrication. Anyway back to the tunnel mods.
I was never really happy with the roadster tranny tunnel as it is quite high, I measured up on my friends locost made to the old book dims and it
appears that his is about 50mm lower. To this end I have cut a section off the base of each upright and remaounted it - the dimension from the top of
the lower railto the top of the metalwork is now 220mm which fits the MX5 gearbox more snugly and gives the ocupants of the car a little less
claustaphobic existence...
The tunnel as originally planned.
And modified:
I've got a little black book with my poems in!
My build diary: http://www.mx5-locost.co.uk
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