Miata rear subframe removal

[jbrannon7]

I have someone that wants to replace the diff mounts, control arm bushings and ball joints on the rear of his Miata. I am thinking the best way is to drop the rear subframe. Anyone done this?

[Loren]

I'm not sure you need to do it, but it's a pretty easy bolt-in piece.

I think you "can" replace the diff bushings with the diff in the car. But, it's not too hard to remove the diff. PPF bolts, Diff Ear nuts, axles. It'll drop right out. And if you're pulling the control arms, that makes pulling axles a no-brainer.

Control arms come off easily enough, and you've got to separate them from the subframe, anyway. Can't think of any good reason to remove a Miata rear subframe unless it's bent.

[jbrannon7]

OK, from what I saw on "the internet" the diff bushings were an 8 hour job requiring chisels, saws and torches, oh my. I remember when we swapped the diff in your last Miata it was a long process.

I'm not sure you need to do it, but it's a pretty easy bolt-in piece.

I think you "can" replace the diff bushings with the diff in the car. But, it's not too hard to remove the diff. PPF bolts, Diff Ear nuts, axles. It'll drop right out. And if you're pulling the control arms, that makes pulling axles a no-brainer.

Control arms come off easily enough, and you've got to separate them from the subframe, anyway. Can't think of any good reason to remove a Miata rear subframe unless it's bent.

[Loren]

Like most things, the less practiced you are at it, the longer the process is.

I know people who can swap a diff in a Miata in 2 hours. I'm not one of them.

Remember, we also were doing more than just removing and replacing the diff. We were swapping a new diff into the case, which added some time.

Just dropping the diff should be fairly easy. From there, attacking the bushings with the right tools shouldn't be difficult. Just remember to use your old guy wisdom and work smarter, not harder.

Some good tips and a couple potential methods here: https://www.miataturbo.net/suspension-b ... ngs-63527/

Since you have a press, one idea that I read somewhere was to cut off the metal lip, and then you can simply use your press to press it out. Whatever you do, you don't want to put a lot of stress on the diff arms. The can break.

This isn't a Miata, but it's still pretty cool. You being the machinist sort, you already know this stuff. You should be able to use the same trick to install the Miata bushings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS1fh2I4q9o