Miata Mailing List: February 1998, Message #5
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From: 	"John Freas" <jfreas@gte.net>

Subject: Re: Power Steering (long)

Date: 	Sun, 1 Feb 1998 00:30:08 +0000



Previously on Power Steering, Craig McAllister <craig@cyberhighway.net>

said...

 

> Although the power steering provided a good amount

> of feedback, I felt the steering was way too light for such a small

> wheelbase and rather light sports machine.  I wouldn't go so far as to

say

> I was disappointed but the feel was not what I expected.  I have heard of

> the power steering being removed for some Miatas.  Is this a worthwhile

> project or should I look for a base model or just accept the power

steering

> and it's feel.  Another thing that didn't feel as I as I thought it

should

> was the transmission.  On both Miatas I have driven 2nd gear seemed hard

to

> downshift into and although I couldn't be sure it almost felt as if the

> synchros were worn.  Is the Miata shift linkage known for this and just

how

> robust is the Miata transmission?  One thing I really grew to hate on my

MG

> were it's terribly weak synchros.  Also, is the Miata mechanically

> reliable.



Steering:



Go drive a base model.



I had the opportunity to drive a 1990 base and a 1991 A package when I was

looking for a Miata, and my reaction was the same as yours.  The PS on the

A package is too light.  Newer cars have a slightly different setup, but

none of the cars need PS IMHO.  Consider that of the 10 vehicles I've

owned, or been given to drive, only 2 had power steering.  Interestingly,

the 2 that needed it the most (F150 pickup and Chevy van) were among the

ones without it.  Maybe that built up my tolerance, but whatever the case,

my car (the base model) certainly doesn't leave me wanting hydraulic boost.

 Others like the Power Steering, and that's fine.  I think most everyone

here will tell you that you should drive the car the way you like it.  Yes,

others have swapped the PS rack for a manual one.  I think it costs about

$300 for the rack if you buy it new, but you can get a used one from a

wreck.  Installation isn't a big deal from what I've heard here.



Transmission:



The transmission does indeed tend to grind a bit going into 2nd, although

it seemed like the upshift was worse for me.  There are two things you can

do.  First, there is a service bulletin that calls for replacement of the

shifter.  The TSB is quoted here without permission (so sue me), courtesy

of Tommy the parts DooD.



Miata Technical Service Bulletin 



Bulletin No.005/93 Issued 6/16/93 Revised 1990-93 

MX-51st and 2nd Gear Grind



Applicable Models/Vins

MX-5 Models

1990 - Vehicles with a VIN of JM1NA351*L0100001 through JM1NA351*L099999

1991 - Vehicles with a VIN of JM1NA351*M0200001 through JM1NA351*M099999

1992 - Vehicles with a VIN of JM1NA351*N0300001 through JM1NA351*N099999

1993 - Vehicles with a VIN of JM1NA351*P0400001 through JM1NA351*P0413073



Description

A grinding noise may be heard and/or felt from inside the shift change

lever when rapidly shifting from first to second gear. The noise may be

caused by the shift change lever.



The lever has been modified to correct this condition.



Replacement Procedure

If grinding is felt and heard through the lever, replace it with a modified

lever.



Parts Information

   New                          Old  

M524 17 510C               M524 17 510B          Change Lever          1



----------------- End TSB -----------------------



The other thing you can do is change the gear oil to Redline MTL.  The

shifter change helped slightly, but the MTL helped a *lot*.  In spite of

all this, I've yet to hear of anyone having 2nd gear blow out on them, so

the tranny is pretty tough.



Reliability:



The car is extremely reliable.  There are some caveats, like the caution

about the crankshaft on '90 and early '91 models.  Best bet is to hit

miata.net and take a stroll through the garage

(http://www.miata.net/garage).  They have lots of information on all this

and stuff you haven't even thought of yet.  Bottom line, don't worry about

the car's durability, it's extremely tough.



	-John



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John Freas (jfreas@gte.net)

Red '90 Base-ish #7690

Deer Park, Long Island

Team Laguna Seca

Team dlralt

Team PBC

Team Roebuck

Team Voodoo

"I have no idea what those dimple things on the windshield frame are for."

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