Miata Mailing List: September 1997, Message #50
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From: 	Tim Mullen <MullenT@gisdbbs.gisd.trw.com>

Subject: Subject:  Help.... busted front suspension

Date: 	Mon, 1 Sep 1997 13:33:00 +0000



I 'm posting this to the Miata List for a friend who's not suscribed. 

Please send any responses to Eric <erik.berg@trw.com> as well as to the

list...

-- 

Tim Mullen



Eric's message:



I nailed the curb with my left front wheel, and bent the tie rod, 

the anti-roll bar end link, the lower control arm, and the strut on 

my '90 Miata.  The car is in a body shop that I trust (well, up to a 

point, anyway).  They have the parts, and are gonna start working on 

it next Tuesday.



My questions are these:



1)  Does anyone have any related experiences?

2)  Is it possible that the lower control arm mounting points 

    have moved?

3)  Is it possible that the rack has been damaged in any way?

4)  Are there any critical alignment issues?  (i.e. what, if anything,

    should I make a big deal about getting *just* right, when we take 

    it to have the alignment shop perform their incantations?)

5)  I'm aware of the criticality of wheel balancing and inflation 

    pressures, as they affect possible front end vibrations on these 

    cars... but what balancing specs should I actually hold the 

    alignment shop to? 



I realize it is probably hopeless to get an alignment shop to properly

bump-steer the car, and I've pretty much resigned myself to selling it 

in the next 6 months anyway, but in case I should feel really ambitious, 

is there a good write up somewhere, on bump-steering a Miata?



Any other advice will be accepted graciously.



Please respond directly to erik.berg@trw.com, because I am not

subscribed

to your mailing list at the present time.



Regards,

Erik Berg

erik.berg@trw.com



'90 Miata

'64 Elan

4 rwd, 0 fwd