Mirage (Re)build thread - Jerry

[Jerry]

Even if this front upper shock mount never breaks it just looks .... well ... I am pretty sure I know what you are thinking.

[Jerry]

Yes those are qa-1 springs. The front shocks I bought are the shortest qa-1's there are.
The rear jegs shocks are the shortest ones there are.

Front shock travel is about 2.5".
Rear shock travel is 3.88".

Wheel travel is slightly more in both cases because of the leverage ratio of the shocks in the suspension.

I don't think a Mazda Miata or the front of a Corvette ZR-1 even have this much travel and they are both heavier cars.

There are no sway bars, I can add them, this car is really low to the ground. Roll center is very low.
Maybe I will drive it 1st.

Terrys car is amazing. Everything is better. I could not do such a big project. I just need to mostly restore mine and that is plenty of work for me. It's more than you first think.

[Jerry]

Ok Here is a shape that clears and attaches to the frame better.

[Jerry]

Rear

[Jerry]

Ok lets strip the frame down, cut off old mounts, and go to the welder shop ...

[Jerry]

The frame is back:

[Jerry]

I bought new upper A Arms. Here is the first look at assembling, I have not put the coil on the shock yet here.

These shocks can be run inverted.

[Jerry]

Here you can get the idea of where we are going on the rear ....

[Jerry]

The mounts get welded in.
The coolant will not be going through the lower frame rails anymore. My welder said there was rust in the frame that would have got in the waterpump, the engine block, the radiator, and probably ruined it.
The inside of the frame has been sprayed with rust ender. The Eastwood company sells rust ender that goes through a long hose and then comes out of a spray nozzel. This way you can coat way inside frame rails.

Then it goes for sandblasting and powdercoating!

[Jerry]

Bearing end mounts are used on all shock ends.

I am thinking about bump stops and limit straps or bump stops for top out.