Saving a 1988 Vert - Could only be a labor of love
#51
Every one in a while fate smiles on you. I'm a sucker for MazdaSpeed parts. So when a friend offered to sell me a MS steering wheel that had been collecting dust in his garage for quite a few years I couldn't resist. It was a pretty "tired" example although the leather didn't have any nicks, which is good. I gently stripped off the old faded anodizing (believe it or not the center was supposed to be black!) and treated the leather as best I could. A bit of pitting in the center but it cleaned up ok. And it came with a MS hub too. Hard to believe the wheel is worth almost as much as what I paid for the car! Anyone interested in two nice OEM wheels? LOL
#52
Junior Member
Great write up. I actually saw this car for sale on craigslist in Washington DC last January and was interested in it but you got to it ahead of me. And then I coincidentally saw you driving it on a trailer up interstate 270 after you picked it. I knew it was the same car because of the damaged drivers side mirror. Glad to see it get rescued.
I ended up getting a red 88 convertible out of Philadelphia later
I ended up getting a red 88 convertible out of Philadelphia later
#53
Great write up. I actually saw this car for sale on craigslist in Washington DC last January and was interested in it but you got to it ahead of me. And then I coincidentally saw you driving it on a trailer up interstate 270 after you picked it. I knew it was the same car because of the damaged drivers side mirror. Glad to see it get rescued.
I ended up getting a red 88 convertible out of Philadelphia later
I ended up getting a red 88 convertible out of Philadelphia later
where are you located?
regards,
crispy
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CrispyRX7 (02-12-20)
#55
needs more track time
iTrader: (16)
Very nice work as always @CrispyRX7
Are you still racing the FC?
Are you still racing the FC?
#56
Very nice work as always @CrispyRX7
Are you still racing the FC?
Are you still racing the FC?
Regards,
Crispy
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gracer7-rx7 (05-12-20)
#57
Perhaps it's time for an update. Since putting the front end back together and cleaning up the interior and starting on the rear brakes I've done a bit of work. Let's set the stage - before and the process to pull the entire rear end out of the car. Definitely a lot of rusty bolts in there but I managed to get it all out without breaking anything! And I'm sure my neighbors love me. LOL
Last edited by CrispyRX7; 05-08-20 at 06:38 PM.
#58
Lets start cleaning and bringing some parts back to life! BUt first some of the ugly bits that challenged me a little:
Wheel bearings will need to be replaced - the snap rings are massive and could break a finger for sure. Getting the inner bearing half off the stub axle was a pain. Pressing out bushings - lower control arm forward bushings were a bit stubborn. Had to cut the dogbone bolts - they were bonded to the dogbones. And of course the DTSS bushing bolts I had to cut the sleeve of with a dremel to save the bolts. WARNING: PICTURE HEAVY!
Wheel bearings will need to be replaced - the snap rings are massive and could break a finger for sure. Getting the inner bearing half off the stub axle was a pain. Pressing out bushings - lower control arm forward bushings were a bit stubborn. Had to cut the dogbone bolts - they were bonded to the dogbones. And of course the DTSS bushing bolts I had to cut the sleeve of with a dremel to save the bolts. WARNING: PICTURE HEAVY!
#64
Differential refinishing. Drained the old oil out. Looked great so no need to crack the case to inspect the gears. Noe leaks at the stub axles so they can stay. And the bushings looked solid - good to go.Too bad it's an open diff. Maybe someday I'll upgrade it to a 4:30 and LSD but for now...being on a budget, this will have to do.
#65
Time for new bushings and bearings. New wheel bearings were going to test my skill with the press. They are massive. I bought some 1x1" iron bars for my press to help with part positioning - they were a godsend! And turns out the weight for my pilot bearing puller is the perfect size for the rear wheel bearings! New Timken bearings and OEM seals. I decided to go with spherical bearings for the forward lower control arms where they fit to the subframe as I had heard using poly bushings will bind in that location. I hope they don't rattle my fillings out. Installed delrin DTSS eliminator bushings, and solid lower control arm bushings at the hub carrier interface, All went surprisingly smooth although the multi-piece spherical bearings were a bit tricky.
Last edited by CrispyRX7; 05-08-20 at 07:57 PM.
#70
Installation day: Just me and my 2 trusty jacks to maneuver these big chunks of metal into place....WITHOUT DAMAGING ANY PAINT!!! That diff bushing is the original BTW. Looks pretty good eh?
The subframe and diff was like trying to dock the space station! LOL
The subframe and diff was like trying to dock the space station! LOL
#73
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As an original owner of an 88 vert, I am amazed at your patience and detail! It was a great trip from start to now. Thanks for showing all the hours and dedication! Keep the pictures and information coming.
#75
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that turned out really really nice!