Autocross in 8 hrs...And murphy's law. Fvcking stripped bolt on upper suspension mnt
 

Sorry for the random vent here. But I've been waiting for tomorrow's autocross, in about 8 hrs.

Tonight when I was going over my car, I was re-torquing one of the upper suspension mount bolts on the front passenger side...And then my torque wrench went from click click click to....slippppp...

Fvck....Fvck Fvck....

No die set to rethread the damn thing.... So my choices are

1) Stick a bunch of washers so the nut can be on the upper part of the bolt which as very little good thread left.

2) Skip tomorrow's X-cross

3) Spend the next fvcking 2-3 hrs putting in another mount that is unused from the rear (I think the NA front and back are the same...I hope)....

I did #1 right now. And the bolt isn't torquing up to spec and I don't want to strip what remaining thread on the bolt is left (at least that's what it feels like).
I'm debating between #2 and #3 or just say fvck it and go anyway.

Anyway I earn the stupid award of the day, month year....

Sorry to vent... Really pissed off at myself for being an unbelievable retard for not checking things over sooner...

Post photos.

Dann

Well I opted for option 3. Total time from start to finish replacing upper mount, taking apart suspension components to get it out 2 hrs 30mins... Also had fun working with no spring compressor... :)


Anyway, here's the culprit... (sorry for the shitty pictures. I don't have time to use a real camera, but used my phone instead)...

Bitch...

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1376123973

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1376123973


Back in business (I hope). We'll find out tomorrow. (it's an old mount from the rear that I took out when I went with FM rear mounts...

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1376123973



And some random pictures. I know I know. My car looks total ghetto, and won't win any beauty contest. I'm trying to make this as a functional only car....

Took out the panels and carpets. The glue on the doors was a major PITA to clean... Haven't had time yet to clean up the flooring...

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1376123973

Also, please excuse the tacky orange padding on the Harddog M2 rollbar... It's called Orange Aid. I decided to ditch the padding that I bought with the rollbar, because I do occasionally drive this car on a street. And the potential of banging my head against the traditional SFI "padding" isn't appealing since it's really hard, and I found "Orange Aid" meets the SFI requirements and yet softer...




I ditched a traditional battery and put in a 2.5 lb lithium Iron battery that I mounted right next to the ECU (for now)

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1376123973



The old battery was this..

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1376123973


I put a cut-off switch next to the battery, not because I was trying to be ricey. But because LifePO3 battery cannot go completely dead otherwise it will end up being a nice paperweight. So when I park the car, I cut off power to everything, in case there is any parasitic loss somewhere...

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1376123973

Eventually, I'd like to relocate the batter to the passenger compartment footwell, maybe where the glovebox use to be. For now, I'll just leave it.


I cut the center console in half, and ditched the little box. I kept the tray, because I like to keep my cell phone in there. For track/auto-x days, the panel can be removed since it's held in with plastic pop rivets (although it doesn't weigh much)...

https://plus.google.com/photos/11419...65385889432290


Took out the radio and glove box...Oh, the instrument cluster cover was removed because it cracked into pieces, not because I was really trying to save weight.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1376123973

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1376123973


https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-M...810_010030.jpg

That's all for now. I need to get some sleep.

I'm not done, there's the remove the AC, remove airbag, remove convertible top, cleanup wiring, yada yada yada yada... I won't ever be done. And I'm just a noobie so I'm sure most of you pros have totally kick ass miatas...

I don't expect the car to be a Rembrant and I'm trying to avoid spending so much time tweeking it that I don't ever use it for what I intended it to be for... ...To thrash around a track or parking lot... lol....I said I wasn't planning on FI, but I doubt I will be able to resist the urge in the future...

For now, I'm just trying to get better at being a better driver.

Those bolts punch out, and you can replace with a nut and bolt.

Dann

They are press fit is what im saying. Ive got nuts and bolts on my car too.

Dann

Nice tip.

This.


Sledge hammer, and new nuts/bolts. Oh, and more careful treatment of shafts and nuts. :giggle:

Thanks guys for the advice. I was going to toss the mount, but I'll press the old studs out and add in new bolts and save this for a spare...

Car ran fine today. The driver on the other hand needs major mods....
Unfortunately, I couldn't stay for the timed lap portion since I had parental duties that ended up conflicting anyway... But my own official timing indicates I'm a pathetic driver that won't be quitting my day job anytime soon.. Oh well...

Both my press fit bolts were stripped on my front. I ended up having to cut them off.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1376327175