| Towing A Miata [message #158734] |
Tue, 31 January 2012 13:00  |
Gil Slaw
Messages: 69
Registered: May 2006
Location: Hampshire, IL
Karma: 0
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Does anyone flat tow a Mazda Miata?
I have some concerns about ground clearance and brake set-up.
I have a through bumper hitch and a 90 Miata that want's to go on a trip to the Rockies this summer.
Comments on tow bars/base plats and brake assist are welcome.
Gil
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towing A Miata [message #158840 is a reply to message #158734] |
Wed, 01 February 2012 07:41  |
Steven Ferguson
Messages: 3447
Registered: May 2006
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Gil,
Actually, there are issues with towing a Miata 4 down. There is a 3"
housing extension bushing that the propeller yoke spins in. There is no
lube to this with the trans in nuetral and the engine not running. I
recently pulled my trans to replace the clutch (previous owner never took
her fat foot off the pedal) and was appalled to see the galling on the
propeller yoke. The bushing was pretty chewed up also. This Miata has been
towed 4 down for probably 30K miles. The propeller shaft is
non-serviceable and costs $900 from Mazda. They also say the the bushing
is non-servicable so the believers end up buying the tailshaft housing
extension no longer available from Mazda). I pulled the tailshaft housing,
split the old bushing, removed it and pressed in a new one purchased from
Ebay ($16) I found an excellent used driveshaft for $100 on Ebay. To
prevent this from happening again, I refilled the transmission with syn
lube until it started running out over the lip of the rear seal. The trans
vents out the top so I'm not concerned with stressing the seals and I'm
pretty sure this will keep the bushing and propeller shaft lubed during
towing. This is one of the best toads I've ever pulled and I'll try just
about anything to keep it that way.
If you want to keep from rock chipping the front end and windshield,
install a whisker strip type mudflat. Nothing seems to get past those.
After looking at the only baseplate adaptors out there, I made my own that
is barely visible when disconnected from the coach. I will probably use my
Patriot braking system but at barely 2,000 lbs, I honestly cannot tell the
car is back there during braking.
HTH
On Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 12:00 PM, Gil Slaw <gslaw700@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
>
> Does anyone flat tow a Mazda Miata?
>
> I have some concerns about ground clearance and brake set-up.
>
> I have a through bumper hitch and a 90 Miata that want's to go on a trip
> to the Rockies this summer.
>
> Comments on tow bars/base plats and brake assist are welcome.
>
> Gil
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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--
Fathom the hypocrisy of a nation where every citizen must prove they have
health insurance......but not everyone has to prove they're a citizen.
Steve Ferguson
Sierra Vista, AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] Towing A Miata [message #158948 is a reply to message #158903] |
Thu, 02 February 2012 06:51 |
Steven Ferguson
Messages: 3447
Registered: May 2006
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Gil,
It will take more than a pint, maybe three. I also replaced the filler
plug with an elbow that pointed up to allow me to overfill the trans. ACE
hardware had the elbow. The purpose is to keep the rear bushing lubed.
Camping world or any RV supply should have those strips.
Brake Buddy is all or nothing, depending on your settings. The Patriot is
a progressive unit and you can actuate it from the cockpit.
Like the Tracker, to keep the wheel unlocked in a Miata, just turn the key
off and leave it in. No need to turn anything on or pull any fuses.
On Wed, Feb 1, 2012 at 4:39 PM, Gil Slaw <gslaw700@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
>
> Thanks Steve,
>
> Keeping the tail seal wet is a great idea, I will pull the shifter and
> give the trans another pt or so.
>
> Also where did you find a whisker strip crud shield that will fit a GMC?
>
> and finally why a Patriot over a Brake Buddy .
>
> Thanks for your help,
>
> Gil
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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--
Fathom the hypocrisy of a nation where every citizen must prove they have
health insurance......but not everyone has to prove they're a citizen.
Steve Ferguson
Sierra Vista, AZ
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