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Dec 2017

The Right Stuff to get the Job Done

Personal Safety


  • Situational Awareness and Preparedness

  • Protective Eyewear (Z87.1 minimum, Z87+ recommended)

  • Protective Gloves (your SO will thank you)

    • Mechanic’s Style (bonus points for Kevlar)

    • Thick (9 mils) Nitrile for nasty stuff



  • Hearing protection for the loud stuff (impact tools, mainly)

  • Appropriate clothing

  • Closed toe shoes (bonus for steel toe)

Wrenches


  • Standard wrenches (bold means two recommended)

    • 8mm (closed)

    • 10mm

    • 11mm

    • 12mm

    • 13mm

    • 14mm

    • 15mm

    • 16mm

    • 17mm

    • 19mm



  • Flare nut wrenches

    • 8mm

    • 10mm



  • Ratcheting Wrenches (optional, but nice to have)

    • 10mm

    • 12mm

    • 14mm

    • 17mm



Sockets


  • Sockets (both short and long, with appropriate socket wrench) (bonus for impact rated)

    • 8mm

    • 10mm

    • 11mm

    • 12mm

    • 13mm

    • 14mm

    • 15mm

    • 16mm

    • 17mm

    • 19mm

    • 21mm

    • 29mm (front axle nut, only required for fender install)

    • 32mm (rear axle nut, only required for fender install)



  • We use ⅜” sockets for most everything, but the 19mm and larger sockets should explode less often with ½” sockets. Never use a “cheater bar” on a ratcheting socket wrench, you’ll break the socket wrench. Use a breaker bar.

  • Impact Wrench (optional)

    • not required, but it will make the job much, much easier

    • We use a Dewalt 12V Li-Ion ⅜ drive impact wrench for disassembly. Yes, that little guy usually gets the big suspension and chassis bolts, even on early NAs. Anything requiring more gumption should probably be broken by a breaker bar and penetrant oil.



Specialty Tools




    • PPF/Tub Splitting Process

      • Two-Post Lift

        • This is the best option. You can prepare everything beforehand, trailer the roller to a mechanic or friend’s shop, and do the actual separation within 30 minutes. Just be prepared to move the Miata tub afterwards.



      • Engine Hoist

        • The true grassroots method. All you need is an engine hoist, a load leveler (usually comes with a hoist), and two ~3’ lengths of chain





    • Specialty Tools

      • Punch (Spring loaded auto-punches are cheap and work well)

      • Rivet Gun

      • Fuel Line Quick Disconnect Tool

        • For some years



      • Auto trim and moulding tool set (if you want to keep your Miata interior plugs reusable)



    • Other General Shop Equipment

      • Good hand soap (it’s hard to beat GOJO)

      • Decent shop rags

      • Drain pans and storage containers for fluids. Keep ‘em separate, label, recycle.

      • 4 Jackstands with a shallow curve at the topJackstands6

      • Low-enough profile jack (depending on your height tastes)





  • created

    Dec '17
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    Sep '18
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8 months later

This is good information, I think quite a few potential kit builders will convince themselves that they will have to buy a shop full of expensive specialty tools to build a kit.

A few hundred dollars at harbor freight and your good to go.

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