Loren

Bump steer is finally getting on my nerves. This is caused by the front of my car being too low. There are lots of things I could do about that, but the simplest thing to do is... raise it back up a little!

Don't want to change the springs, I like what I have. And I'm already at the top perch height on my Koni's (they have 5 slots for height adjustment). Just need some spacers to give me about an inch in front. (then I can use the lower adjustment slots on my Konis to adjust back down in 5mm increments to get where I want to be)

So... where can I get some simple lathe work done for not a lot of money?

Along the same lines... when I finally think I have enough money to do something with it... who can I take my spare head to to have the shaving and valve work done? (I'm doing the mild port & polish myself, at a snails pace, every now and then)

Would prefer someplace near North Pinellas for convenience.

oilleak

Did you already shim the steering rack up?

Loren

No, that's one of the other solutions. I figured I'd address the cause first, then if I'm still not happy I can start addressing the symptom.

Even without the bump steer issue, I've known the front of my car was too low. It's like 1/2" lower than the rear.

Raising it back up 1/2" will give me more suspension travel (I've only got about an inch right now!), level the car front-to-rear and hopefully eliminate some bump-steer.

The other trick I'm going to do is the 93LE control arms, they're supposed to be 3/8" lower than any other year.

oilleak

93LE tie rod ends will slightly lower the outboard end of the tie rod - don't know about the control arms?
check this out if you hadn't already
http://www.virkki.com/jyri/miata/bumps.html
It's got interesting ride hight info.

Loren

Yeah, that's what I meant to say. Brain isn't awake yet.
Good info. We trimmed the bump stops in accordance with that when we installed the FM springs 2 years ago. I'd be riding ON the bump stops right now if we hadn't!

More great info from Randy Stocker on this page:
http://members.aol.com/solomiata/swaybar.html

It's titled "Sway bars", but only about half the page is about that.

FYI, my car measures 12" from spindle to fender lip in the front (13" in the rear). That's LOW for a Miata. Randy (one of the most respected Miata gurus) says that anything less than 12.5 in front is ReallyBad for bump steer. I believe that and that's why I'm wanting to raise it up a little.

Loren

Bump.

C'mon, a big group of racers such as this and NOBODY can recommend a machine shop? Geez, I figured some of you would probably have your own lathe in the garage.

Anybody? Beuller?

oilleak

I don't know any shops on your side of the bay but I've used 3D and Eisle's for my engine work. I had an adaptor plate (to put a Mazda 5spd in a TR6) built by a steel fab place when I lived in Alabama. I'd look in the phone book for any steel fabricators. I've used S&S Welding in the Brandon / Sefner area but again, wrong side of the bay.

PseudoRealityX

real racers don't live on "that" side of the bay...

Formula KZ1000

Loren

Kind of out of your way but I had some swaybar pillow blocks custom made for my formula car, at a little CNC shop in south Sarasota.

They were a lot cheaper than I thought they would be $30 for one side (only needed one) it was not just a simple square with a whole in it it needed to be curved on the botom to be mounted on my tube frame.

The companies name is Nutech, they don't do engine machine work but are great for one off creations.

I did have very detailed plans I drew up with all the measurements and angles and such.

Probably to far for you but someone else might use the info.

If anyone need directions let me know.

Eddie

neurovish

I know a good place in Orlando and a guy that does good work in Largo