[Shadgrind]

When Kev first highlighted this fault I decided that my ND wouldn't be a keeper. It's a shame as I really love the little beast and consider it to be the best MX-5 so far. I'm now thinking that it will be gone before it reaches 2 years old...it's now 9 months old. My time with sports cars is drawing to a close and the boring (and electric powered) crossover looms nearer.

I understand your decision but I know how hard it will be.
Sorry, Jono.

I was going to keep mine for a long time (10 years plus).
Now it looks like the bottom is going to fall out the market in a few years.

So once you have emailed Mazda UK, Auto Express and anyone else you can think of Watchdog still exists doesn't it?
Tweet to all your followers post on Facebook Instagram Pinterest. Go mad get the word out there!

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[Steveti]

When Kev first highlighted this fault I decided that my ND wouldn't be a keeper. It's a shame as I really love the little beast and consider it to be the best MX-5 so far. I'm now thinking that it will be gone before it reaches 2 years old...it's now 9 months old. My time with sports cars is drawing to a close and the boring (and electric powered) crossover looms nearer.

I understand your decision but I know how hard it will be.
Sorry, Jono.

I was going to keep mine for a long time (10 years plus).
Now it looks like the bottom is going to fall out the market in a few years.

So once you have emailed Mazda UK, Auto Express and anyone else you can think of Watchdog still exists doesn't it?
Tweet to all your followers post on Facebook Instagram Pinterest. Go mad get the word out there!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Even contacting VOSA referencing this as a potential safety problem (I'm pretty certain premature failure of a suspension component will fall under this) they have powers to investigate and take direct action with the manufacturer. It goes without saying that Mazda and by default Fiat are selling a vehicle with components not fit for purpose and not even addressing the issue by fitting with upgraded components when and if they do a warranty, albeit with various contributions from owners - what is that all about, at least be consistent - there has no upgraded/redesigned component made available ths putting the owners back to square one i.e. tick tock, when's it going to start clunking and need another £1400 or so thrown at it?

 

[MJL]

The petrol engine around which sports cars were formed can't go on for much longer.

I suspect it will take a planet-wide climate change disaster to make changes... but our cousins across the water seem to be happy with that eventuality!

I have to confess that I have looked at second hand NC3s far too often :blush: and I can tell you that ones in good condition are expensive and don't last long on sales sights.

I am really glad that you, Jono and I experienced the joy of NC ownership.

P.S. Doesn't anyone mention the ND's tiny, glovebox-less cabin?

 

[Kev5]

The petrol engine around which sports cars were formed can't go on for much longer.

I suspect it will take a planet-wide climate change disaster to make changes... but our cousins across the water seem to be happy with that eventuality!

I have to confess that I have looked at second hand NC3s far too often :blush: and I can tell you that ones in good condition are expensive and don't last long on sales sights.

I am really glad that you, Jono and I experienced the joy of NC ownership.

P.S. Doesn't anyone mention the ND's tiny, glovebox-less cabin?

Oh, alright then...here goes...

The ND's cabin can be a misery when faced with nowhere to put things for even a moderate journey. For instance, I still write letters to people (yes, using an ink pen and paper!) and then when I go out in the ND I take my letters for posting. Where does one put them in the car???

Then there is the water bottle. Where does one put that? It won't stay in those silly 'cupholders' so the passenger (should one be lucky enough to have one) will have to hold on to it.

What about one's hat? It could go in the centre storage bin behind in the rear bulkhead - but you try retrieving anything from there whilst on the move!!

Sure, your paper mask (made in China!) and your house keys will just fit under the centre armrest, but what about your jelly babies...or your binoculars...or your map-book?

Then, of course, when one finally accepts the 'travel very light' policy and revels in the more positive ND attributes, like a sonorous exhaust note, kart-like handling and a very lively Skyactiv engine, one then wonders how long 2nd and 3rd gear will last...and when the rear hub-carrier bushes will begin to knock and thump...again!...and where the bloody hell am I going to put this sodding water bottle!!!

An electric MX-5 won't need a milk chocolate gearbox, of course......yippee!!! :skip:

Did I really say that??

 

[steveh]

Probably correct re the lack of gearbox but Porsche have put one in the new Taycan Turbo S. Mind you it's only two speed and only acts on the rear wheels. Something to do with low speed acceleration.

 

[Shadgrind]

Glovebox, don't care.
Gearbox, do care.
Lack of storage, well, it's a sports car. Think, Colin God rest his soul Chapman "Add lightness"

Mazda seem to have done remarkably well on this front whilst having to add all the safety crap.

Imagine if you could build, using today's methods, a car without all the electronic nannies, pedestrian friendly explosive bonnets etc. No turbo, 2.0l naturally aspirated, no sound deadening or catalytic converter (yet still passing emissions). More aluminum, stiffer chassis SkyActiv engine, tuned to run on super unleaded. With a snorty rorty exhaust. Soft top only, manual only (7 speed?). 800kg or less.

I would sell my left kidney and part of my liver to own one.

I do admit I am coming round to the fact that, man made or not global warming is a thing but please allow us to drive around in a 'fruity' sports car run on dinosaur juice for just a little longer and maybe just maybe, I will stay sane in the face of all the other crap we have to deal with on a daily basis, Boris, Trump, Vlad the Insaner, COVID-19, Brexit plus the fact of you do go on holiday abroad to get a break, when you come back you may have to enter a self imposed prison for two weeks!

Aaannnd, breathe.

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[Steveti]

Phew, glad you got that off your chest, feeling any better now?

Here, have a :beer:

 

[quadcamboy]

Does anyone have an old hub carrier or dimensions of the hole(s) and I'll try to source a part number for a bush?

Did this for exactly the same problem on an Alfa 166. Found a Merc bush that was a tenner from Eurocarparts

 

[Paulo]

Someone will end up manufacturing replacement bushes for that ND part, surely.

 

[Kev5]

Unfortunately the 'bushes' that fail are actually 'spherical bearings' (rose joints) so a bush won't be a viable replacement for these bearings.

There are 6 joints per side on each hub-carrier, some are rubber 'metalastic' type bushes and some are the aforementioned spherical bearings.

This is why Mazda only supply complete hub-carrier units. Some say that spherical bearings are not robust or durable enough for potholed road use.

These components are normally used on race cars, etc, but need a radical redesign if road-use durability is to fall within acceptable parameters on the ND.

 

[MJL]

Unfortunately the 'bushes' that fail are actually 'spherical bearings' (rose joints) so a bush won't be a viable replacement for these bearings.

There are 6 joints per side on each hub-carrier, some are rubber 'metalastic' type bushes and some are the aforementioned spherical bearings.

This is why Mazda only supply complete hub-carrier units. Some say that spherical bearings are not robust or durable enough for potholed road use.

These components are normally used on race cars, etc, but need a radical redesign if road-use durability is to fall within acceptable parameters on the ND.

I must admit that your insights, Kev, into the ND's problems were important to my ability to resist the prompting to buy an ND... but as I don't drive now, it would have been an even bigger waste on money.

Our nephew, Rael, continues to have marvellous trouble free fun in the NC R/C!

 

[Paulo]

That's not good at all Kev. I wonder if they made it that way on purpose.

 

[Kev5]

That's not good at all Kev. I wonder if they made it that way on purpose.

The possibility cannot be ruled out, Paulo.

Although even for Mazda, such built-in obsolescence does seem extreme - especially as the short-lived spherical joints require far more engineering than a rubber bush.

 

[MJL]

If you look at photographs of the new chassis compared to the old one, you will se that the rods in the five-link rear suspension are half the length of the old one.

As the wheels travel the same amount on the road, this means the new suspension bearings have to cope with twice the movement of the old ones. The Angles must be more acute. Perhaps that is part of the problem.

 

[Kev5]

If you look at photographs of the new chassis compared to the old one, you will se that the rods in the five-link rear suspension are half the length of the old one.

As the wheels travel the same amount on the road, this means the new suspension bearings have to cope with twice the movement of the old ones. The Angles must be more acute. Perhaps that is part of the problem.

I think you have a valid point, Martin.

 

[Kev5]

The MX-5 MK4 ND owner's UK page on facebook has some interesting posts concerning the rear spherical bearing debacle. It's worth visiting that site.

This is an original bearing stripped down (from that Facebook page)

 

[Kev5]

Hi, all you ND owners! :wave:

Yes, it's me again.

Old Kev5 from deepest, darkest North Devon...Guess what?

STEERING...

On top of the myriad problems already documented, there is a strange and unnerving dead spot developing in the steering around the straight ahead position, like a sticky, 'over-centre' lumpy feeling. This is causing the car to wander slightly from side to side, requiring continual steering inputs on a straight road.

This troublesome ND is now 5 years old, with 41,000 miles clocked and full Mazda service history. I am the second owner and I'm also a RoSPA advanced driver, retired DSA ADI (Grade VI) and former motor mechanic, so I haven't abused it myself.

I cannot be bothered to relist the many, many problems I've had with this vehicle over the 1½ years I have suffered with it, but suffice to say it is the most fragile car I have ever owned in half-a-century of motoring.

I have just renewed my Green Flag breakdown cover - thank God for breakdown cover - roadside, recovery, courtesy car, hotel and home-start. Full works.

"Lots Of Trouble, Usually Serious" (LOTUS) now becomes "Much Aggravation, Zen Deficient Arsewagon" (MAZDA)

I won't mention the noisy gearbox which is now crunching into 2nd and 3rd.

I couldn't make it up...

 

[Pat]

Oh no Kev

does sound very much like a Friday afternooner

 

[Steveti]

Oh no Kev

does sound very much like a Friday afternooner

Sadly Pat from much of what I've read and heard I think the designers were all working on a Friday afternoon. Like Kev I don't think these we're designed or built to last and no word of an NE in the pipeline.

 

[Garffey]

Hi, all you ND owners! :wave:

Yes, it's me again.

Old Kev5 from deepest, darkest North Devon...Guess what?

STEERING...

On top of the myriad problems already documented, there is a strange and unnerving dead spot developing in the steering around the straight ahead position, like a sticky, 'over-centre' lumpy feeling. This is causing the car to wander slightly from side to side, requiring continual steering inputs on a straight road.

This troublesome ND is now 5 years old, with 41,000 miles clocked and full Mazda service history. I am the second owner and I'm also a RoSPA advanced driver, retired DSA ADI (Grade VI) and former motor mechanic, so I haven't abused it myself.

I cannot be bothered to relist the many, many problems I've had with this vehicle over the 1½ years I have suffered with it, but suffice to say it is the most fragile car I have ever owned in half-a-century of motoring.

I have just renewed my Green Flag breakdown cover - thank God for breakdown cover - roadside, recovery, courtesy car, hotel and home-start. Full works.

"Lots Of Trouble, Usually Serious" (LOTUS) now becomes "Much Aggravation, Zen Deficient Arsewagon" (MAZDA)

I won't mention the noisy gearbox which is now crunching into 2nd and 3rd.

I couldn't make it up...

That really is shocking Kev....am so sorry your ND is suffering this way....

Mine just keeps 'batting on' although I haven't been out much in it since they started gritting the last few weeks.

It's due a service on the 6th, but over the last couple of weeks my local Perrys Mazda has turned into a MG Motor dealership, :frantic: and as I wont go near the nearest JCT600 (spit) :stomp: ....looks like I maybe taking it to Southport next week!

Oh well...I have around 18 months before I need to sort a replacement, or hand it back (which at the moment is favourite!)...