mx5 based build
 

i have a build thread over on the roadster forum but as a finally managed to get registered here i though i better share some pictures

started with a talon flatpack kit

so i started with one of talons flatpack kits and welded the chassis myself, i am using his wishbones as well, my donor is S reg 1.8 mk2 mx5 , the bodywork i bought from ebay as part of gillhams closing down sale, supposed to be cheap seconds but to be honest most of the stuff could be used as it is.
the chassis is currently sitting in primer and i am busy stripping the donor car

Nice to see another mx5 build in progess. :)

Cracking progress, how long have you been building

Arfon

kit arrived on the 20th march

donor stripping tonight

diff fitted

looking good rich, would be interested to see some more pics of the diff fitted in the chassis ;)

no problem its all back out for painting i will photograph it all going back in this week

diff mounted, bolts need cut and still waiting on oil seals and breather

Well done you. I wish I went for the Talon rear end :(

That's just the picture I was looking for, cheers Rich.

1.8L diff housing removal
 

I don't mean to hijack your build thread, but I've picked up a Talon chassis and diff cover/housing, but I'm struggling to work out how to get the existing diff housing off.

From what I can see, you have a standard (?) diff, but mine (see attached pic) has inner drive axles that the drive shafts bolt onto, which prevent you from sliding the carrier from the housing.

Does anyone know how to get it off? I've looked though the manuals on the mellens.net site, but no luck. I think I might have an LSD, which I keep reading you shouldn't take apart.

See pic below. Sorry if my question is daft, but any advice (or abuse) welcome.

i believe once you have unbolted the shafts the drive flanges lever out like any other drive shaft

Thanks. Tried a crow bar and a little elbow grease but no luck.

Prying one out seems to draw the other one in.

I'm reluctant to put too much force into it in case I damage it.

Where did you hear about it? Do you have a link?

Thanks.

J

It helps if you pry the joint awy from the casing evenly with two bars 180o apart. Assertive taps with a hammer to the flange whilst doing this also helps to break it free.

Thanks Guys, just needed a few hefty blows and came out a treat.

so the rear end is built and fitted, the front end is only loosely, fuel tank has been fitted currently waiting on bearings to allow me to build the steering shafts, struggling to work out the brake pipes as i didnt take a drawing from the donor car

Just been having a good read of this thread and I'm wondering
How u fitted the diff with the top and bottom bars in place
As I'm at the stage of my build where I'm just about to fitting the diff

Regards
Steve

It's a tight fit. You need to take the bottom plug and breather off first, gently slide it in from behind (did I just say that?:D). Put the rear bolts in loosely, then fit the side mounting bracket.

i found if i fitted the diff into its casing then rotate thru 90degrees and pass thru the bars then rotate back again, then bolt everything very loose then tighten.
the mistake i made was where i welded the mounting tabs on, at first i couldnt remove the diff again so i had to redo them so that the diff goes in against the back of them. let me know if you want more pics. there may be more on my build thread on roadster builders

well after a few months enforced break in the build for a kidney transplant the build is back on track i have reconditioned the calipers all round, fitted new discs and pads all round all the brake pipes, made new stainless flexis/exhaust manifold and decided to order a brand new body from vmax. half the wiring loom is done and wires routed to each relevent place waiting on the bodywork. and roll bar is on order as well. hospital wifi and ebay has a lot to answer for!

Hey Richard welcome back, glad to see you are on the mend, keep the posts comimg and hopefully you will soon be back to full health and flying through your build

Arfon

brakes completed tonight just the handbrake cables to replace.
started on the roll bar too, cut to height, need to stick the seats back in to get the harness bar height