What size sockets/wrenches needed to completely wrench on NA/NB Chassis Miata?
 

I've been wrenching on Japanese sport compact cars for over two decades now (for fun), and my newer (to me) NA Miata continues to surprise me with it's collection of fasteners. :S

Learned about the 23mm and 24mm diff housing bolts today, that was fun.

The other week it was the 9/16" square pipe transmission fill bolt and before that the 21mm control arm bolts.

I do have a giant tool cabinet full of tools, but unfortunately for me I'm in an apartment at the moment so I don't have access to all my tools when I have an itchin' for some wrenchin' downstairs.

So I went ahead and put together myself a little portable tool box... This is also to be my away from home pit box for the car when the time comes.

But it turns out my little box is always lacking something at the worst of times when my car is in the most of pieces.


What range of metric sockets/wrenches will comprehensively cover all the bolts and nuts on an NA/NB Miata?
(interested in the NB chassis as I plan to strip one and swap parts in the future)

Anything bigger than 24mm?

Any flare nut wrenches needed other than 10mm?

Any 12pt sockets? Even inside the motor? Flywheel? Clutch?

Any freedom unit fasteners on these things since it was designed in the good ol' USA?

Any other sized surprise square pipe plug fasteners other than the 9/16" transmission fill?

Any other drivers necessary than basic flatheads and JIS #1, #2, and #3?

Any Torx hiding anywhere? E-Torx?

Any other unique/surprising non-specialized hand tools I need to wrench on NAs and NBs that I may be missing?

8, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21mm sockets, wrenches. A good 1/4, 3/8 ratchets with a decent tooth count

Phillips and straight screw drivers, trim release tool, needle nose pliers, a pick set,

No 23mm? No 24mm?

Look into JIS, it will make your life easier. Not the same as Phillips.

Do have decent variety of pliers, picks, and a trim release tool in the portable box.

Whenever the torque it provides is adequate I normally do prefer to work with 1/4" for the dexterity it offers, but for my "pit box" I omit 1/4" to reduce weight/clutter and try to exclusively work with 3/8". I have 3/8" sockets that go from 6mm all the way up to 36mm.

Are there specific spots on the Miata where you find the smaller 1/4" absolutely necessary for access/clearance or something like that? My small girly hands + 3/8" can usually get it done.

I am not sure about any 23mm sockets but there is probably a 24mm or two somewhere. I use 1/4 for a ton of stuff at work (Technician for Chevrolet) and rarely use 3/8 or even 1/2 unless I am breaking something loose or trying to make sure it is tight. For torque wrenches I have three that I use. A Matco 3/8 and 1/2 digital that can do ft/lbs, in/lbs, and torque angle. I also have a 3/8 in/lbs beam style I use for measuring preload on differentials/pinion bearings etc. Main reason for using 1/4 is because I break things loose with the 3/8 and use the 1/4 to get it out quickly. I use a Snap On 1/4 and a 3/8 electric ratchet to get bolts out and it saves a lot of time. You have to be careful with those as you can snap bolts easily from over torque if you keep the trigger pulled.

A slim 21mm setup is nice for turning the engine by hand via crank bolt

yes 23 & 24, can also use a 14 mm wrench on trans fill plug
12 pt 12 mm for head bolts
1 1/8 deep socket for nut on oil cooler
27, 30, 32 mm or 1&1/8 for axle nuts, depending on if original or after market

Seatbelt bolt is SAE, 9\16 if I recall. I take the seats pretty often to do pretty much any work in the cabin.

16 mm also works on those seatbelt bolts

Thanks for the advice, you made my day.

Yeah, I have a 3/8-drive 21mm socket which will fit between the crank and the sway bar, super useful.

Don't forget an O2 sensor socket, IIRC that's either 22mm or 7/8.

--Ian

I don't have an NB so I'm not sure, but I'd imagine you'd need those security torx bit sockets to work with anything airbag related

Not on my ADM NB8A/Bs ...

Hm, have noone mentioned the 29mm for the front hubs?
It's a metric car from Asia, what do you expect (10,12,14,17,19,21...)? :)
As mentioned only the seatbelts are imperial both in socket and threads (7/16 20 UNF, 5/8" socket), due to historical reasons

icedawg did 7 posts up…..

My Aussie NB8A uses 30mm front hub nuts, obviously aftermarket…