New member. And first MX5 from Wigan

[mali]

Hello all.

Im having a ton of fun with my first 5. A 2005 NC 2.0l





Its taking some time to get used to coming from a long list of FWD cars.

First things first, i wanted to bring it to the modern era.. So a new head unit was fitted allowing hands free calls, music streaming and ipod connectivity.



Theres a few issues i will get around to tackling. some slight rusting under the lips of the rear arches. and some knocking clunking noises from underneath when riding over our rubbish roads. Its had a fresh MOT and no advisories so im hoping its nothing overly serious.

[Mazda Mender]

Greetings and welcome buddy...what kind of noises and when...
M-m

[vindaloo]

Welcome to MM, I seem to recognise that head unit.

[mali]

Greetings and welcome buddy...what kind of noises and when...
M-m

Hi Mazda Mender. im not technically minded at all so i will try my best to explain. the knocking/rattling/clunking noises seem to come from either the front drivers side or the front centre. im finding it hard to pinpoint, but happens constantly when going over rough rumbley patches of road (sorry for the poor explanation) it definitely feels like something is loose (but nothing picked up on the mot 2 weeks ago)

I see your from pie land! Another Wiganer?

[mali]

Welcome to MM, I seem to recognise that head unit.

Hi Vindaloo.

Its a nice head unit. i was suprised how much better sounding it is over the stock unit, considering its budget price.

Which facia did you get? Yours seems a much better fit than mine!

[drumtochty]

Sounds like the antiroll bar drop links that tend to go.

You need to get under the car and put a socket and breaker bar on them and check for wear. Around £20 each to purchase, the Mazda ones are made of toffee.

Replace with aftermarket ones if there is movement.

The front ones fit on both sides.

The rear are the same but the front and back drop links cannot be used on the other end.

[vindaloo]

Welcome to MM, I seem to recognise that head unit.

Hi Vindaloo.

Its a nice head unit. i was suprised how much better sounding it is over the stock unit, considering its budget price.

Which facia did you get? Yours seems a much better fit than mine!

Mine is a Metra, bought via Amazon & it was shipped from the USA for the grand sum of £29 delivered. I believe the Connects2 is the same one.

I'm just down the road in Leigh.

[mali]

Sounds like the antiroll bar drop links that tend to go.

You need to get under the car and put a socket and breaker bar on them and check for wear. Around £20 each to purchase, the Mazda ones are made of toffee.

Replace with aftermarket ones if there is movement.

The front ones fit on both sides.

The rear are the same but the front and back drop links cannot be used on the other end.

Thank you. I've had a look underneath and the fronts seem fine- new almost, with no play. But the rears have seen better days and have definite movement. So I think I will replace all 4 to be sure. There s also a gearbox cover/guard that seems a little loose. So I will have a further look into that. It's definitely the front drivers side though. I had a good listen on the way to work this morning.

Any idea on labour times at a garage for arb drop link replacement? I don't have the tools to fit these myself.

[mali]

Welcome to MM, I seem to recognise that head unit.

Hi Vindaloo.

Its a nice head unit. i was suprised how much better sounding it is over the stock unit, considering its budget price.

Which facia did you get? Yours seems a much better fit than mine!

Mine is a Metra, bought via Amazon & it was shipped from the USA for the grand sum of £29 delivered. I believe the Connects2 is the same one.

I'm just down the road in Leigh.

Pie eaters and lobby gobblers!!... its a small world, i will say hello if i bump into you

I had a hard time pushing all the wiring harness back for the head unit to be pushed into place. There really isn't much room behind there!

[drumtochty]

Labour charge for all 4 more than an hour less than 2 hours, let's say 1.5 hours.

Yes the 2 litre has a gearbox undertray that needs to be fully bolted.

There are reports of loose disc pads causing that problem.

There are reports of the components inside the springs rattling in that case duct tape wrapped around the bumpstop type thing has stopped it.

The fan belt belt tensoner can cause noises if the bearings are worn.

Possibly failed damper.

Have fun.

[Mazda Mender]

Where abouts in Wigan are you?
M-m

[mali]

Labour charge for all 4 more than an hour less than 2 hours, let's say 1.5 hours.

Yes the 2 litre has a gearbox undertray that needs to be fully bolted.

There are reports of loose disc pads causing that problem.

There are reports of the components inside the springs rattling in that case duct tape wrapped around the bumpstop type thing has stopped it.

The fan belt belt tensoner can cause noises if the bearings are worn.

Possibly failed damper.

Have fun.

Brill. I've ordered the parts and looking at YouTube videos it doesn't look overly hard!

[mali]

Where abouts in Wigan are you?
M-m

Hi mazda mender. I'm in Abram.

[Mazda Mender]

I'm over the other side buddy.
M-m

[mali]

I'm over the other side buddy.
M-m

Are you a professional garage/workshop Or an enthusiast like the rest of us?

It turns out that the majority of the noise was coming from the Jack in the boot which isn't tight. Sods law!!! I have 4 drop links on the way the rears have seen better days so it's not all wasted.