Well, I used the pliers trick (carefully) and it worked. And no damage either Timmo.
Cheers.

Thanks for your prompt replies guys. The knob is the standard plastic 5 speed NA one. It seems to be of firm if not hard material and it is locked firmly onto the top section of the lever/shaft. The spongy feel occurs between the top shaft and the lower one. I now think there is a rubber joint betwe...

I am having trouble removing the gear shift knob so I can replace the gaiter. I have cut the old one and removed it together with the central plastic housing but I still can't see how to remove the knob. Instructions on the web simply say "unscrew the knob" The knob feels spongy on the shaft and won...

Thanks Guys for your help. Re the exhaust temp, I had the cat removed some time ago, that may explain the Heat no show. There is still another sensor connected just down stream from the manifold but I think this is an oxygen sensor. Hopefully someone will be able to explain which lights glow with th...

On my 1989 NA6 Eunos, of the four warning lights located in the lower centre of the instrument panel, only the top two, Brake and Charge, light up when the ignition is turned on. I have checked all of the bulbs and expect that the bottom two should light up as well. My translated handbook doesnt hel...

Hi,
We have a MX5 Mart perspex one and are happy with it. It is unobtrusive and does the job. It doesn't fold and cannot be quickly removed (where would you store it?) but these aren't really problems.

I recently fitted a rear lower suspension brace to my 1989 NA. The brace looks the same as the MX5 Mart one and bolts on using the alignment adjusting bolts. I marked the position of the adjustment cams by scratching a line from the cam onto the surrounding metal. Then with the car on the ground, re...

We have had to withdraw from this years run and I have cancelled our accomodation booking for a studio unit at the Parklands motor Inn a few minutes ago.
Ph 0800 456 284. BE QUICK!

Charman Motor Trimmers in Onekawa supply and fit soft tops.
They supplied one for my NA a year ago. I saved myself $200 by fitting it myself.
They were very obliging and offered to help me out or take over the installation if I got stuck.

Thanks for your interesting posts. Were you the silver Targa NA at Taupo last month? As a suggestion, and especially for a first timer, I highly recommend the associated Narva Tour. I completed the week long tour last year in my 1989 NA. It was the best fun I've ever had driving! and to quote Possum...

Hi Zorruno, Wot is the "short crank nose problem" you refer to? My MX5 is an early 1989 and I'm concerned! My car also suffers from a buzzing/metalic rattling noise on deceleration in the lower gears. I hope this is a loose exhaust heat sheild and not something in the gearbox or is it related to the...

I also wish to congratulate and thank the MX5 Club for organising and running a first class event. It was a great day followed by dinner and mixing with friendly people at The Lakeland. And hey! the discussions in the hotel carpark next morning and the drive I enjoyed in the white NB turbo were equa...

Thanks again Ian. Most helpful, I will switch to 50 profile tyres when the time comes. One more question if you don't mind, can you confirm that the offset with factory standard wheels is P45? I asked the local Mazda agent and they couldn't easily help, suggested I contact a tyre retailer, no joy th...

Yes I am aware of that thanks Ian. When the tyres need replacing I will
probably go to 50 series but I wonder whether the ride comfort will suffer
noticeably with the reduction in profile.
Do you know?
Regards,
Bob

Wheel offset, what is it and how can I measure it on the 195/60/15's fitted to
our NA?

Bob Kingston

Our Narva Tour entry has been changed to a 1989 NA MX5 which I have recently
purchased. The tour will be even more enjoyable in an open topped manual car!

Bob Kingston / Sandy Struthers
Hawkes Bay

I would like to know details of the diff. oil for our 1989 1600. We recently had a thorough service carried out by our mechanic but he didn't change the diff oil because he couldn't identify the correct grade/type of oil. The local Mazda agents were no help. The Mazda database shows that this vehicl...

Thanks for your comments. I am not a competition driver and no expert but I feel that it isn't so much the need for a speedy change as a smooth one. I blip the throttle coming down form 5th to 4th, 4th to 3rd for a corner but by then I am braking and can't blip with my right foot for a smooth change...

Thanks everyone for your help. I am impressed with the thoughtful and detailed replies. Even Gazza agrees on the need for an alignment check! Which I will arrange SASPO. Gaza, I tried a handbrake turn into our gateway, nearly clouted the concrete fence and created a certain amount of concern amongst...

We have recently bought a 1989 MX5 NA6CE. The steering loads up badly in tight corners, it gets increasingly heavy the tighter the corner (even turning slowly in to our gateway) and I am finding it tough going in the twisty stuff. The car is fitted with non-standard wheels and the tyres are 195-60-1...

Hello, Eric, zorruno, Mike, Chick, Thank you very much for your thoughtful advice. I will be able to make a much better informed decision on the roof. I will also make contact with the HB branch shortly. Cath and I love the MX5. I've wanted one for a long time. We bought it a month ago it has done 1...

My 1989 roadster needs a new roof. What are the advantages of a zip-out rear window over a non-zip type? What alternatives are there to a genuine Mazda roof? Can the roof be fitted by a reasonably competent home handyman? Is there a Hawkes Bay contact person for the MX5 club? I would appreciate any ...