I did a thing.

[JamieH]

https://www.ilmotorsport.de/shop/art...fb25c1d10aab63

The front and rear, upper and lower sets are also available individually.

Unfortunate that US suppliers don't stock them currently. But, understandable, rarely does anyone order a set, as the cost is a bit prohibitive. Yet, another reason I skip the middlemen when possible.

[— kung fu jesus —]

Agreed, the cost is a little prohibitive.

Still, the bushings arrived! YAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY!!!

But....

The kit was picked/packed incorrectly.



I had ordered them express, but there were 4 missing steel inserts and it was also missing the grease.

I placed a call to Energy Suspension for some help and I sent the information. I hope to get a response that they are sending them out soon! The best laid plans. Ah, well.

I noticed it when I was unpacking the set, then I started measuring, labeling, and grouping the parts:

IMG_9702.JPG

The group on the lower left, the gold-colored inserts, I received 4 of the inserts for the hub bushing (only needed two), but none for the inner bushings of the UCA.

IMG_9703.JPG

IMG_9704.JPG

So now the fledgling weekend says:

[Midtenn86]

Thanks for the feedback, fellas!

A little update...

The new engine mounts and diff bushings introduced a lot more NVH. It decreased a little as they settled in, but my door panels, outboard mirrors, and hood buzz, shake, and rattle at idle. The drivers door and good especially.

I was a bit skeptical of their effectiveness, but I bought a pair of GarageStar door bushings. Installation was easy, I filed a *little* off the drivers side bush.

Attachment 18636

Attachment 18637

Attachment 18638

To solve the hood issue, I tried placing a few small-ish squares of the insulation left over from the carpet install under the hood. It worked! I may remove it to make it neater, but I was pretty relieved.

Attachment 18639

The outboard mirrors buzz a little at a certain speed/frequency, I think I have a resolution for those as well.

A little word of advice on insulation like that. It needs to be sealed off with high temp tape. The insulation will absorb moister and oil mist and then it's ineffective and can become flammable in some cases.

[— kung fu jesus —]

Shite moves fast here in ATL.

About 30 minutes after sharing my predicament, a friend dropped off his set to me during lunch:



I got back to separating, measuring, and grouping sets.



Then I secured the sets:



I received the return order from Rockauto and ran out to drop it off. I grabbed grease fittings for the UCAs on the way back.

I am back in business!

[theothersawyer]

You gotta love our Atlanta peeps!

[— kung fu jesus —]

[— kung fu jesus —]

Shite moves fast. Hammered out one side last night.

















The other this afternoon.







The popping is gone. I do get some driveline thump.

[MiataQuest]

Did you drill/grind any paths in the bushings for the grease?

[— kung fu jesus —]

Nope. Measured the bushes against the locations, centered the grease fittings in the gap between the bushes.

[turboedpickup]

One thing to add on that shifting RUCA (not really anymore applicable to you since you went to PU) but I think I may have found my "aha" moment. My rear e-brake had been amiss ever since I had the shop redo my brakes (replaced the rear driver caliper since it had seized). They never adjusted it properly such that whenever the parking break was on, the driverside rear wheel was still able to move - thereby putting all the braking load on my passenger rear tire. Do this enough and...the constant static load of a ~2400lb car on an incline is bound to shift those bushings. Anyways - that's just a theory I'm rolling with at the moment.

Do you have any insight on what would happen if I only went PU on the RUCAs? All else being stock - new rubber bushings?

[— kung fu jesus —]

No insight. I have only completed the RUCAs and rear uprights and have been driving the car as such. The rear does feel a bit stiffer over bumps. I don’t think I have noticed any adverse effects yet.

[— kung fu jesus —]

OK, there's been a few updates I've neglected to add since my last post.

The RUCAs didn't help the knocking completely. It turned out the stake nut on the left axle wasn't staked far enough and was starting to loosen. When I laid a socket on it to check the torque setting, I damn near face-planted because it turned so easily. I torqued it and staked it better. There was lateral play in the axle because of that, causing most of the audible knock I was hearing. Lesson? Start with the easiest stuff first.

I was hearing some *slight* knocking in in certain instances, like starting in first, or reversing. I was suspicious of the drivershaft, so I bought another locally, in much better condition, that resolved the last of the knocking!

I also couldn't stand the hybrid engine mounts I installed. Great product, too much NVH for day-to-day. The NVH was worse at idle, with the AC on. I liked the improvement they made, but sitting in traffic, just too much for my tastes so I went to Mazdaspeed engine mounts. FAR better for my needs and still far ahead of the old worn stock units.

With the driveline knock vanquished, I started doing a few small things, like cleaning up the engine bay. Just a little bit, here and there, over a week, really cleaned up a bunch of stuff. Just used a shop vac, all-purpose cleaner, and microfiber towels. Started with the cowl:














I'm sure I'll make more progress later on that, but it's cleaning up really well!

At the end of July, I drove Charlotte Motor Speedway again! This time we drove the new NASCAR Roval configuration.

Last year:

Roval-Map-BoA-Date1-lg.jpg

THIS year:

Roval-map_preview-660x400.jpg

I love the new configuration! MUCH better flow, alot more fun to drive in a Miata for sure!

I didn't drive my Miata up, because I needed to drive the wagon up to haul equipment for this event. I was able to drive the promotion car, though! Woot! Driving this car I was representing Jzilla Trackdays and R*Speed:

IMG_9962.jpg

38391198_10217242609447504_5911799346508070912_n.jpg

38289068_10217242609127496_908561870036664320_n.jpg

38468073_10217242609207498_1403537802720706560_n.jpg

38467975_10217242610127521_6238130201448939520_n.jpg

I also got use my new HNR in this car, a Simpson Hybrid S.

IMG_9383.jpg

IMG_9410.jpg

This HNR is compatible with any street car's OE 3 point seatbelt. It's comfortable, and I like it for instructing and my own Miata when I'm on the track.

Chalotte was a LOT of fun and I had 4 days to prep for the inaugural Miatas Before the Gap! Whew!

A few more neat shots from Charlotte though...

[Midtenn86]

Saw your car at MBTG but didn't get a chance to introduce myself.

[— kung fu jesus —]

No worries! I was incredibly busy. Come back next year and try again! ;)

[Midtenn86]

I plan on it.