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
- Two-Post Lift
- 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 top
6
- Low-enough profile jack (depending on your height tastes)
- PPF/Tub Splitting Process
created
Dec '17
last reply
Sep '18
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