Sports car service
The world’s most popular sports car can be found in just about every town and city, and many of the less collectible Mk2 models (also known as the NB) that first appeared in 1998 — running to 2005 — are a bargain to buy, though do need looking after. Fortunately, there are no specialist tools required to complete all of the servicing we’ve outlined and serviceable items are readily available and relatively cheap. Some spares are becoming scarce, but the aftermarket is trying to help here, so prices and availability appear to vary.
The design of the MX-5 is very traditional for a sports car. With front and rear subframes and an alloy powerplant frame connecting the two together, the bodywork can be removed to leave a sort of rolling chassis. Consequently, the running gear is independent of the bodywork.
The suspension consists of coilover shock absorbers at every corner with upper and lower wishbones and anti-roll bars at the front and rear. Braking is a dual-circuit servo-assisted system with ABS (wheel speed sensors are known to fail) and single-piston calipers all-round.
A 1.6-and 1.8-litre twin-cam petrol engine was fitted to the Mk2 MX-5 and mated to a five-or six-speed manual gearbox or an automatic. This servicing guide is based on a 1.8-litre model with a five-speed manual gearbox, which appeared as a project series in CM between March and September 2013.
Equipment required
› jack › axle stands (or ramp) › oil tray › oil filter strap › sockets/spanners 8-17mm and 16mm spark plug socket › 4mm Allen key tool/socket › screwdrivers › wheel brace › pry bars › G-clamp › syringe › battery tester › antifreeze hydrometer › hammers › wire brush › soft brush › spray grease
