Problems I am currently having:
- Handbrake kit from GBS. This is taking forever for them to sort out, it's been 2 months since having a IVA'd and working Mazda demonstrator and they have only just put the order in with their supplier for a batch of cables.
- Had a little argument with them over the phone about it, amongst other things, needless to say they have not supported their "outstanding customer service" claims. I would say its good...at times, and at others, its diabolical.
- My tracking and steering/suspension set ups are leaving a lot to be desired. With the car mobile, running around the driveway, I have noticed that there is heavy scrubbing from the front wheels when on full lock.
- Solution is to adjust the toe and camber settings. As I have only done this by eye, I'm not expecting them to be any good. The camber on the drivers side wheel was clearly not neutral, sorted that and opened the toe settings a bit. That reduced the problem, did the other side, seems to be worse again...did the drivers side again and have over-inflated the tires, we'll see what this does. Below are the photos before I made any changes.
The photos might not show the problem clearly enough as looking but it might give you some idea.
- Steering Wheel Self Centre. This is fixed from the wishbone design. Personally I'm not too worried about the centring but IVA is. I can only test this at slow speeds due to the area I'm working in but it seems fairly solid in the position I leave the wheel in.
- A number of things to check are: wishbones on correctly, wishbones as far back as they go? From looking at the car, they only go one way, and it's also the same way GBS have their Mazda Zero wishbones, might need a call and clarifying.
Enough of the problems, I say problems....more set up features...anyway, I have the passengers seat fitted in. I decided that I can still access the centre panel to fit the handbrake easily enough from the top. So the passengers tunnel went on, pre-drilled holes lining up perfectly (preparation win!) and the seat dropped into the holes made for that to fit in too.....pfft yeah right! Can't have everything go well! For some reason, it wasn't having any of it. Holes made bigger, adjusted and finally dropped in. Not the 5 minute job I planned but it was still all done within the hour.
I also decided to fit the rest of the transmission tunnel. I cut a slot in the top for the gearstick, fitted the gearstick cover too. I have been thinking about this for a while, looking at what trims to get, stainless, chrome, aluminium etc etc. In the end I went for the cheap option. I riveted the cover on using some 3.2mm washers on the back to hold the cover and then fitted some black rubber trim to the 'sharp' hole that was cut. I'm probably going to get some better trim for the hole but generally pleased with the result. Looks almost finished inside.
(I also considered painting the transmission tunnel black, don't think I will but opinions welcome)
Photo time!
Hi Zach,
ReplyDeleteFWIW - the thin stainless overlay around my dash clocks was checked during IVA for sharp edges.
Its not clear if you have any <2.5mm corners around your dials, but a little trim around them then re-install the dial console may both avoid sharp edges and tidy the hole shapes.
Also anoth hint I saw - use a tennis ball as a gauge and go around the car looking for 'any' sharp edge it can reach & cover them.
Hope thats useful.
Hi Richard,
ReplyDeleteI have decided against the Stainless trim now and gone for the look you can see on the dashboard currently. The instrument cluster fits behind the GRP with a sheet of clear Perspex in front. The only edges would be on the holes themselves, I'd have to look for some from of trim to cover them.
I've heard the tennis ball idea too, will probably give that a go this week. Looking to have Rhocar come round for some pre-IVA tire kicking to help pick up anything obvious I've missed.
Cheers,
Zach