How to Install RoadsterSport Rear Shock Tower Brace ND MX-5 Miata

[@silverhornet9916]

Thanks for this video! I just put the Cusco bar on my new '23 RF Club, though your video was still helpful. Here's what worked for me getting those two rear nuts tight: get a combination 14mm 12 pt non-ratcheting stubby. Using the open end, get the nut down in contact with the bracket. Flipping around to use the box end, place the wrench outside (body side) of the shock. I had more than enough room to be able to get the nuts comfortably tight. I checked the torque on those before I took it apart, having seen/read/heard from others that the published torque spec (45 - 55 Nm) is high. It sure was on mine: I used two torque wrenches for comparison, and the nuts were on there with only 38 Nm, so you don't need to go bananas trying to them super tight

[@junlee7763]

Thank you for sharing your MX-5 contents. Your review solely made me decide to get a Miata. Keep more contents up coming!!!

[@DriveMX5]

Haha fantastic, you made a great decision ;) thank you for watching and I certainly won’t stop anytime soon!

[@sanghoonshin5878]

Thank you for the new vid! Gotta get my mods started!

[@DriveMX5]

Thank you for watching!

[@Moriggia]

Good video, I see that there is much space for sound deadening in that trunk without adding much weight. For the brace, will be the last I'll buy, now I have some rattles coming from the right Recaro seat when there isn't a passenger.

[@DriveMX5]

Thank you! I’ve thought about doing sound deadening as well but haven’t decided on it yet. Uh oh, I hope it’s simple like a loose bolt or seat belt buckle swinging and hitting something.

[@FruddyG]

Try inclining the seat forward slightly (pull the lever), when my passenger seat is all the way back is causes this really bad rattle and this always fixes it

[@Moriggia]

@@FruddyG I will try

[@DriveMX5]

@@FruddyG good point! I forgot it does have a tendency to squeak and rattle if the back of the seat is slightly touching the rear firewall

[@Moriggia]

@@FruddyG I tried but that is not the problem, I think is something in the seat, it is a really noticeable metal noise that disappear with the passenger.

[@GTIModBlog]

Dope videos man! I just picked up a 2020 club rf and will be watching more as mod itches build. Installed a GWR exhaust and a bunch of superficial lighting so far and was thinking of adding a dash cam. I don't have the homelink and saw your video on that- any direction you followed that helps for a more traditional wire job? I was thinking of tucking it on the right side and maybe trying to get it under the carpet, but am not sure where it should be hardwired. Some acc in the center console? Cheers & subbed

[@DriveMX5]

Thank you so much and glad they are helpful! I’m not sure about hardwiring the dashcam for the non-homelink mirror, but my girlfriend has the club trim so no homelink and we routed the dashcam wiring under the windshield frame trim and down under the dash to the 12v outlet in the passenger footwell. I have a video showing that process if you haven’t seen it already: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4Opn2WvfcqipsU

[@GTIModBlog]

@@DriveMX5 oh damn, thank you for linking as I missed that one! Had only seen the install on your car. Also had no idea there is a 12v port down there- too easy now. Have a good one!!

[@Eros_Racing]

I do feel a lot of rattle on the rear without the rear brace

[@McDunkinY]

Can you showcase the new VersaTuner crackle and pop tune?

[@DriveMX5]

I have some footage of it on my girlfriend’s ND1: Make your MX-5 FASTER | Fab9/VersaTuner N1 Tune Installation and Results! kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJjbmGSIacish7M

[@McDunkinY]

@@DriveMX5 Awesome, I have an ND2 and just bought VersaTuner and was hoping it wouldn't be gunshot-esque and that seems pretty good to me

[@DriveMX5]

@@McDunkinY sweet! They’re mild, not like BMWs or GTI’s with pop tunes lol

[@CleaR-Motorsport]

Really helpful - thank you! Do you and your girlfriend still have your NDs?

[@DriveMX5]

Thank you for watching! We have both since sold our NDs and have become a BMW couple, I have a 2012 M3 and she has a 2022 M340i

[@Remaagen]

40 FT LBS? Sure it wasn't 40 INCH Lbs?

[@DriveMX5]

Yes. Those are the nuts that hold the rear shocks onto the body of the car, so 40 inch lbs wouldn’t be enough. The metal on this brace is just quite soft under compression. www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda-Performance-Part/61-1840.html

[@Eros_Racing]

I have nightmares where I brake a bunch of those black poppers nuts

[@DriveMX5]

Good thing they are fairly cheap to replace! Can be found online, in dealerships, and auto parts stores

[@VinceCannavaII]

Did the carpet cover it up or were modifications necessary?

[@DriveMX5]

The brace design interferes with the carpet and the ability to secure it using the factory clips, hence why trimming it was necessary to secure it in place. I'm sure there is a way to jerry-rig it or you can choose to not put the carpet back and leave it untrimmed, of course.

[@Eros_Racing]

Yeah new vid

[@addisong3422]

Do you still have the car?

[@DriveMX5]

I do for now. I’m actually thinking about selling it soon-ish

[@DarkDescent845]

@@DriveMX5 what is making you consider selling it?

[@DriveMX5]

@@DarkDescent845 after driving Miatas as my primary car since summer of 2016, I feel like I’m ready for a change and to have other automotive experiences. I’ve done just about everything with this car that I reasonably wanted to

[@Telecasterland]

All these extra braces also add weight. So rigidity and weight.

[@DriveMX5]

They do. Added up, I think it’s still less than the extra weight of an RF vs soft top so I’m okay with it lol. As long as it’s functional weight!

[@mansionlapalmamanager3997]

The weight is negligible. Maybe visit the bathroom before you take the car for a drive. That will off-set the added weight. The braces from GWR are amazingly light. I have the front strut brace and the lower subframe brace. It made an amazing difference. I also have FM 300lb springs! So your results may vary. I'll probably buy the rear brace for myself at christmas.

[@TheJamesrbrown2000]

Seems like big hassle and you ruined your trunk lining😂

[@DriveMX5]

Yeahhhh I should’ve gone easier on the cutting 😂 it wasn’t that bad of an install and seemed to make a bit of a difference so I’m happy with it