Inner tie rod question on a '94 Miata

[Mike Mackaman]

Thanks, the lower control arm bolt was not bent. Everything lined up fine. Car handles great and drives great but is loud, like drivetrain loud, even out of gear. Speed dependent, not rpm dependent. Wondering if the wreck hurt the wheel bearings? The pressure hose on the power steering has a split just as it transitions to rubber from metal coming out of the pump.
The other wierd thing is the truck was full of water after the heavy rain we had yesterday and Monday night. What are the likely culprits?

Overall it drives great and I have about 165 miles on the trip and am down to half tank. Beats 15mpg in my Sierra extended cab!
Mike

[Wreckerboy]

Trunk full of water is likely either the drains in the quarters are clogged (do you hear water sloshing around?) or a leaking seal at the base of the top along the back (this may be called the "rain rail", not really sure). Of course, check the usual suspects like the trunk seal and the taillights as well for possible water entry points.

The wheel bearings on these cars are pretty tough in street use. Sadly, I've replaced lots of control arms due to contact and never a wheel bearing for the same reason. The OE rear wheel bearings went 240K before they got noisy. To check the wheel bearings, jack the car up, grasp the wheel at 12 and 6 and tug. There should be no play. The noise you are describing could well be rear wheel bearings as well. Miata.net is your friend here, but suffice it to say if there is even a hint of rust on the axle splines you're in for a grand old time.

[Mike Mackaman]

I am thinking that the junk tires that are on the car may be the culprit. I have noticed that the roar gets louder if I turn right, loading the left side wheels. But the bearings seem ok by every check I have made, even the drive it for a while and shoot the hub temps with the IR gun. May swap tires side to side and see what it does.

Thanks for the input!
Mike

[Marcus Miller]

Did it hit both front and rear? Could be a rear cv joint/ diff bearing as well.

[Mike Mackaman]

Checked the wheel bearings at 12 and 6 and there is some play.

On the upper front control arm, the ball joint had slid up some. Trying to change it, how the heck do I get the bolt out of the control arm. I have it slid up to the point that it is hitting the weld nut on the sway bar arm. What am i missing? I can't use the hot wrench as I need to reuse it.

Thanks for the help!
Mike

[Wreckerboy]

To take the upper bolt out you need to drop the front sway bar out of the car, which is really simple - four bolts, ten minutes of work. Drop the splash panel first.

Sorry I didn't see this message right away, but I'm not here that often. Email me directly at wreckerboy at g mail dot com

Rob

[Mike Mackaman]

Figured it out, what a PITA! Most of the stuff I see on the Miata makes me admire the engineers. A couple things, like the upper control arm bolt, not so much!

Changed the LF hub last night and it is a little better. I am going to swap some tires around and see what happens.
Mike