Mazda NA Miata MX-5 Suspension Ultimate Install Guide - Struts and Springs - 1990-97

We are back working on our buddies 1990 NA Miata and this time we are upgrading his 30 year old stock suspension!
This guide should apply to 1990-97 Miatas and will help with whatever suspension upgrade you are doing: Struts, Springs, Lowering Springs, or Coilovers!
He wanted to maintain stock ride height and comfort so he went with KYB Springs and Lesjofors Springs. We will have these as well as other options linked below!
01:58 Front Suspension Removal
05:47 Rear Suspension Removal:
08:01 Spring Install/Parts Overview
18:23 Rear Suspension Install
22:28 Front Suspension Install
25:45 Installed Ride Height
⚠️Try anything shown in this video at your own risk ⚠️
👉🏼 LINKS TO PURCHASE TOOLS & PARTS FEATURED BELOW👈🏼
********************************************************************
Associated Videos
********************************************************************
NRG Quick Release Steering Wheel Install: • Complete Install Guide...
********************************************************************
🔩Parts (Affiliate Links) - more options will be added soon
********************************************************************
KYB Strut Kit (Includes 4 struts): geni.us/NA_KYB...
KYB Front Strut: geni.us/NA_KYB...
KYB Rear Strut: geni.us/NA_KYB...
KYB Strut Mount: geni.us/NA_KYB...
NA Miata Dust Boot: geni.us/NA_Str...
Lesjofors Front Spring: geni.us/NA_Les...
*******************************************************************
🔧 Tools Shown In This Video (Affiliate Links)
********************************************************************
90 degree Drill Adapter: geni.us/90Degr...
Spring Compressor Kit: geni.us/Spring...
Pass Through Socket Set: geni.us/PassTh...
The Milwaukee Impact: geni.us/MLW286...
********************************************************************
🔧 Recommended Tools (Affiliate Links)
********************************************************************
The Milwaukee Impact is a MUST HAVE tool - By far, the best tool purchase
----
Mid Torque MLW2861-20 M18 Fuel:
Tool Only: geni.us/MLW286...
Full Kit: geni.us/MLW286...
High Torque 2767-20 M18 Fuel:
Tool Only: geni.us/MLW276...
Sockets & Wrenches:
We Recommend GearWrench
Standard (English) Impact Socket Set: amzn.to/35KId7o
Metric Impact Socket Set: amzn.to/2LsZvgh
Standard (English) Size Wrench Set: amzn.to/2SSrgTp
Metric Wrench Set: amzn.to/2AfZn1c
1/4" Torque Wrench: amzn.to/33diIfW
3/8" Torque Wrench: amzn.to/2XcilOY
1/2" Torque Wrench: amzn.to/2CWLiHO
Jacks and Stands:
We love the quality of Esco Products and recommend them:
Esco Jack Stands: amzn.to/3cmAmiO
Esco Floor Jack: amzn.to/3fAIUoA
***********************************
⚙️Torque Specs (Adding soon)
***********************************
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
********************************************************************
🔥💪PWR Supplements
********************************************************************
PWR is a supplement company founded by Pete and group of follow fitness enthusiasts to provide a healthier and less expensive alternative to the mainstream supplement companies.
Check them out for the best tasting pre-workout on the market:
pwrsupplements...
********************************************************************
🎬 Recording equipment (Affiliate Links)
********************************************************************
📷 Video
Canon EOS 80D Digital SLR : geni.us/Canon-...
Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art DC HSM Lens: geni.us/SigmaL...
🔊 Audio
Pico Gear Dual Mic: geni.us/PicoMic
💡 Lighting
Small Portable Light: geni.us/Neewer...
Large Light: geni.us/Genara...
Light Box geni.us/Genara...
----------
Thank you to all of our fans and subscribers for supporting us on our journey!
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @THESUNDAEDRIVE - thesundaedrive
CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE & BLOG: www.thesundaedrive.com
********************************************************************
👪 Partners and Sponsors
********************************************************************
Tool and Dye Designs - Auto enthusiast inspired clothing:
Website: www.toolanddyedesigns.com
Kies Motorsports - For all your BMW needs
Website: www.kiesmotorsports.com
KZbin: / kiesmotorsports
Speed Circuit - LS Powered Exocet and Evo Upgrades
Website: www.SpeedCircuit.net

[@tech-mike321]

Great job on explaining the process and safety cautions of the suspension work, the video, the audio and the editing. Anyone looking for the torque specs coming straight from an original 1992 Mazda Miata Workshop Manual. Torque Spec Range: 1: 22-27 ft-lbs 2: 22-27 ft-lbs 3: 54-69 ft-lbs 4: 34-49 ft-lbs 5: 54-69 ft-lbs 6: 27-40 ft-lbs

[@marshallartz3194]

Part of the reason behind the high final ride height is likely from torquing the lower strut bolts with the suspension arms at full sag. I know you mentioned you couldn't pre-load the arms with a jack due to the lift having the car so high in the air - and strongly suggested an alignment - but I wouldn't trust that a shop would loosen and retorque those bolts as part of the alignment. A good idea would have been to preload the arm by lowering the car onto a jackstand (like you did to attach the rear knuckle to upper control arm) before torquing the lower bolts. (I generally do this job with my Miata on jack stands, using a floor jack and wooden blocks to lift the suspension arm until the car just comes off the jack stand before torquing.)

[@cccapsul]

Great advice. I've also read that you could damage your the bushings if you don't preload the suspension prior to tightening.

[@TheSundaeDrive]

Completely agree 💯💯 👍👍

[@kCI251]

To remove the front shock, just remove the upper control arm 21mm bolt, slide the long bolt forward. No prying or pulling a testicle.

[@TheSundaeDrive]

Good tip! We can give that a shot next time

[@markc4768]

@@TheSundaeDrive so much easier if working alone.

[@Pingponglu42069]

Wish I had thought of this. Just did mine. Didn’t check the comments.. sigh

[@jonbrown7737]

Hi, could you please update the description with the torque specs? I’m really excited to work on my dad’s old Miata but all these different things I need to work on are really intimidating thinking about it all at once.

[@TheSundaeDrive]

We will do our best to track them down - some are a bit of a challenge to find.

[@guanqiaowang7586]

How are the Lesjofors springs comparing to the OEM ones? They are massively cheaper but I am worried about their ride quality and reliability.

[@TheSundaeDrive]

just checked with my buddy who has probably put 10-15K miles on them and he said they don't absorb super well but are better on smooth roads than his 25+ year old original springs. They are a little firm on bumps tho.

[@TimFya]

Super clear and helpful- thanks! I've a '90 NA in need of shocks and want to keep things factory-style as well. Did you go with KYBs over OEM to save $$? Was curious of the quality difference between the two.

[@TheSundaeDrive]

Glad it was helpful! Considering the suspension was so old it's hard to know how it compares to brand new oem, I think he was struggling to find oem so he went kyb for close to stock feel

[@jeffmonkey13]

Question: On the rear, when reassembling (~20min mark) I can attach the lower control arm bolt (loosely), and raise the arm to reattach the upper bolt. I can't get the Hub to pivot inward enough to even be close to getting the bolt through. Any recommendations here? Is it possible something else is stopping me from getting it back together?

[@bmedavis]

HI!!!!!! Are you in california?? Are you available to do repair??? I have a 90 that need new shocks!!!! Please let me know!!! Thank you!!!!!!!!!!

[@TheSundaeDrive]

We are on the other coast :(

[@one234569and10]

23:20 HOW did you get this in there without compressing it? I am having a hell of a time without a spring compressor. I have seen ways to take it out without a compressor but not reinstall it. The Sundae Drive

[@TheSundaeDrive]

Pete had to put a lot of downward force on the lower control arm to get clearance while I put it in place. It may be more challenging with different springs/shocks.