Clutch Shudder II

I first talked of this NB Miata malady back in May and it has been here in the background ever since. It is always noticeable for the first 4 or 5 1st gear launches in the morning. I’ve tried to adjust my technique, but after 30 years of driving a clutch one way I can’t always remember to use the “new” method. After some reading on the Miata.net Forums and the flippant remark by my favorite Mazda salesman I have been revving the engine to around 1500-2000 RPM for first gear launches. It has been working pretty good (when I remember to do it), but recently it is less and less effective. I’m afraid I may have to have the Mazda TSB applied to the car where they swap out the clutch disc for a new & improved version. But frankly, I’m not too anxious to have the folks at the dealership tackle this project after my experience with the 7500 Mile Service there.

Speaking of service, it is almost time for the 15,000 one. At the rate I’m going it should be about 2 weeks from now. This time I won’t let the gorillas who work there rotate my tires (see the 7500 mile service link above), I’ll just do that my self in my driveway. Oh, that reminds me, the creaking that they never totally fixed last time is finally gone. Every couple of weeks I can’t take the noise any longer so I try spraying something with white lithium grease. First I tried the hinges, but I’m not sure I can hit the right spot. Then I hit the torsion bars that hold the trunk lid up in a couple places. A couple of days ago on my third attempt I got the spot. I can’t really explain where I did it, but if you come over to my house I can point to it for you.

Comet Gestation Counter: 33 days

40th Anniversary Party

Washed the car this AM. Vacuumed the interior and in a fit of Felix Ungerism I washed the engine compartment. I used a procedure I read about in the Car Care Products section of the Miata Forum that involves Simple Green and Amorall Tire Foam. The first time I used this procedure was on the old 95 after 7 years and 100k miles. It only took me 14k to do it to this car.

The reason for the cleaning process was we were off to the Sno-Cap Drive-In’s 40th Anniversary shindig. The Miata Club, along with the Corvette Club filled the lot for the first 2 hours of the whole day and half the night affair. A couple of local news crews were there and both Donna and I, in different shots, made the evening news for mere seconds.

Comet Gestation Counter: 32 days

14,000 Miles

On the way to Rader to postagize the Master’s Miata Club newsletter the Emperor passed through the 14K mark.

Thanks to Jim Mullan I now have a Honda S2000 stubby antenna mounted on the left rear of the car. The existing stud was plated brass so it was easy to remove and then drill and tap for mounting a longer M5 x 0.8 stud. All we have laying around work was a black oxide coated stud. I would really like to find a brass one because that is what is inside the antenna and that is what the mount threads are. I suppose brass might help reception, but mainly it should prevent any galvanic corrosion.

I haven’t even tested the reception yet. Maybe tomorrow on the way to work I’ll try and listen to the radio…

Comet Gestation Counter: 30 days

Oh No Ohio!

For about a year now, coworker and fellow Miata owner, Russ has resisted the siren’s song sung to him by his son-in-law. But every man has his breaking point and this past weekend was it for Russ. He finally succumbed to the Darkside, literally. He bought that optioned to the max, 1998 black Boxster with only 11,000 miles on the clock that had been dangled in front of him at a very attractive price.

Black Beauty

He got home so late from picking it up Sunday night that he didn’t have time to remove the hardtop. But he is a dedicated convertible man, so the hardtop came off Monday evening and it is stored in it’s official Porsche stand under it’s official Porsche cover in his garage.

Topless

If you know any one who would like a 99 Emerald Green Miata with the tan leather package and only 46K miles of use, I know where one is for sale.

Comet Gestation Counter: 29 days

4 Weeks

While waiting these 4 weeks for the arrival of my new front lip spoiler (almost halfway there?) I haven’t been standing still in the Miata Mod Department. Way back in February I pulled the power antenna and replaced it with a cheapo $6 thing from an auto parts store. I knew it was only a matter of time before I replaced that ugly rubber thing with something a lot nicer. That time has come.

When I ran through this scenario with the ’95, I went to my local BMW dealer and got one of the masts from the Z3. It was thin, flexible, about 1 foot tall and looked very sharp back there on the fender. $40. Now that style of antenna is every where, even the new Mazda 3 has the Fubu type antenna from the factory. Something different was required this time. Into the Honda parts bin for the little stubby S2000 antenna I went.

It came in the mail yesterday, but just like the BMW unit, this needs modification too. The threaded shaft that screws into the car is too short. It would probably be OK if the threading in the Mazda antenna mount started right at the top, but for whatever reason the screw doesn’t start to engage until about a 1/4 inch down. I don’t have the tools, nor the expertise to accomplish the antenna mod, but I do know who to call. Because I work in a manufacturing facility, I know several people who have access to several pieces of high dollar machinery and know how to use. This morning I asked one of them to remove the existing stud and tap the bottom so that a longer one can take it’s place. And not destroy my $20 investment. If he had the same sense of priorities I have, he’d have dropped any of that work stuff and got right on my antenna, but now I have to wait a day or so until he can get around to it. I say that half seriously, the last time I got Jim Mullan to do something for me it took about three days, but it was better than OEM looking when he got done with it. Well worth the wait.

Comet Gestation Counter: 28 days

Oh No Nebraska!

With yesterday’s post and Rick’s comment I figured I’d be right near the top of a Google search for the phrase “Oh Yes Wyoming!”, so I tried it. Not even close. The top spot was occupied by a site called mathcaddy.com, a blog that had done the same thing as I did, posted the lyrics to the song. Three months before me! Boy, not only was I disappointed in my lack of Google ranking, but I am hopelessly behind the times. He also had an MP3 of the song. I downloaded it and have uploaded it to my site so as to be kind to his bandwidth. And maybe hoping to improve my G-score, here is for your listening pleasure, “Oh Yes Wyoming!”

When I transcribed the speaking part of the song, which just has Yada Yada Yada in the Flash gizmo instead of the words, I misidentified Antelope Jack as Angelo. When Mr. Mathcaddy did it he heard Zeke as Zinc. Rest assured between the two of us we’ve got it right.

Comet Gestation Counter: 23 days