26 replies to this topic

[Muda]

Bought a '99 and am wondering which, if any, of these spares from my '90 car is usable on my '99.

Upper Arm - Rear
Upper Arm - Front
Lower Arm - Rear
Lower Arm - Front
Shocks
Rear Hub bearing, seal, clip

[Tom Hampton]

I can't speak with any authority...maybe DaveW will chime in...but, back when they were contemplating allowing the 1.6 to upgrade to the 99 subframe...the rumor was that the control arms were all compatible. I'm sure a search on the old site would find some of DaveW's posts in that thread.

[Jim Drago]

All of those will work with the 99. The only difference in control arms is where the sway bar links attach

Jim

[Muda]

Wow, I figured the rear arms were OK and that only the 99 knuckle was different.
Thought I remembered from the '99 subframe discussion that the mounting points and the spindles were different. I have a couple of front spindles, so I can keep those too?
I expected the shocks to be different, if only in the valving due to the different weight. Same springs too? Maybe that's why the '99 wallows compared to the 1.6.

[Bench Racer]

The 90/99 sub-frame/control arm comparison list that I made a while back shows different front & rear sub-frame numbers & different front upper control arm numbers.

[Jim Drago]

Wow, I figured the rear arms were OK and that only the 99 knuckle was different.
Thought I remembered from the '99 subframe discussion that the mounting points and the spindles were different. I have a couple of front spindles, so I can keep those too?
I expected the shocks to be different, if only in the valving due to the different weight. Same springs too? Maybe that's why the '99 wallows compared to the 1.6.

Street car shocks are different. SM shocks are all the same
Spindles and rear knuckles are different
control arms are the same less sway bar end link mounting tab ( thus the different part number) legal to run either in SM

[Glenn]

Street car shocks are different. SM shocks are all the same
Spindles and rear knuckles are different
control arms are the same less sway bar end link mounting tab ( thus the different part number) legal to run either in SM

later parts appear to be beefier. Was disassemblying front end on 99 yesterday and compared to 93 much more metal in key locations

[Bench Racer]

different front upper control arm numbers.

control arms are the same less sway bar end link mounting tab ( thus the different part number)

Splane please

[Jim Drago]

ABS bracket on the newer cars not available on 1.6 cars, same part, one with abs bracket to hold wire, one without. 90/00

01/05 uppers are same part, however ball joint taper is different. Ball joints are not serviceable separately, but they do press in and out(90-05) 01 + spindles also different than 99/00 b/c of ball joint taper.

[Muda]

Found the infamous subframe thread. Says that rear knuckle is different but that arms are the same. Also says that front geometry is the same but that spindles and upper arms are different, i.e. the upper ball joint taper is different. Some guy named "Drago" kept making this point to several non-believers. Therefore, if you use the combination of pre-'99 front upper and spindle OR '99 upper and spindle you are OK but that you can't mix & match.

So, I can keep all this stuff and mark it carefully so that I don't try and mix it up in the heat of a paddock repair?

[davew]

Bought a '99 and am wondering which, if any, of these spares from my '90 car is usable on my '99.

Upper Arm - Rear
Upper Arm - Front
Lower Arm - Rear
Lower Arm - Front
Shocks
Rear Hub bearing, seal, clip

Rear upper arms are the same 90-05
Front upper arms Must be matched to the same year front upright. They will bolt to the subframe on any year. Technically only legal to stay within your age group 90-97, 99-00, 01-05. But can be used in a pinch, you can plead ignorance until someone digs up this thread LoL
Rear lower control arms are dimensionally the same. Several iterations of bracing have been added through the years. And the sway bar mount is different on 99+. All are legal on all cars.
Front lower arms: See rear lower arms above.
90-97 and 99+ have different shocks from the factory. Per SM rules, all years use the 90-97 shock.
The rear bearing, clip and seal are the same. The hub (round part with studs sticking out) are all the same except for stud hole size. 1.6 hubs use a small hole, 1.8s are larger. Either is legal, due to the 1.6 hub being no longer available from Mazda. The cast steel upright will work on any year. There are differences for ABS vs non-ABS cars that do not effect us. The 99+ uprights have large letters NC cast into the housing on the inboard side just above where the long bolt goes through. These will give a 5mm per side increase in track width. Any combination is legal.

Dave

[Bench Racer]

Dave, thank you.

[Ron Alan]

Dave and Jim, Thank you

[Alberto]

Rear upper arms are the same 90-05
Front upper arms Must be matched to the same year front upright. They will bolt to the subframe on any year. Technically only legal to stay within your age group 90-97, 99-00, 01-05. But can be used in a pinch, you can plead ignorance until someone digs up this thread LoL
Rear lower control arms are dimensionally the same. Several iterations of bracing have been added through the years. And the sway bar mount is different on 99+. All are legal on all cars.
Front lower arms: See rear lower arms above.
90-97 and 99+ have different shocks from the factory. Per SM rules, all years use the 90-97 shock.
The rear bearing, clip and seal are the same. The hub (round part with studs sticking out) are all the same except for stud hole size. 1.6 hubs use a small hole, 1.8s are larger. Either is legal, due to the 1.6 hub being no longer available from Mazda. The cast steel upright will work on any year. There are differences for ABS vs non-ABS cars that do not effect us. The 99+ uprights have large letters NC cast into the housing on the inboard side just above where the long bolt goes through. These will give a 5mm per side increase in track width. Any combination is legal.

Dave

This info is in Dave's book: http://www.advanced-...&products_id=42
I keep it around for reference on topics like this.

[Ron Alan]

. The 99+ uprights have large letters NC cast into the housing on the inboard side just above where the long bolt goes through. These will give a 5mm per side increase in track width. Any combination is legal.

Dave

Want to understand this and not make an assumption. Based on the GCR numbers, 1450mm is the widest static track width on both the NA and NB with the rear being 1465mm for the NA and 1475 for the NB. Have always read and been told that a 25mm offset wheel keeps you within these numbers. So if the 99 upright/spindle gives you a 5mm wider track than a 90-97 then would I be correct in assuming the NA car is 10mm wider than the NB car at the a-arm mount points to the front spindle? I say this since we all seem to be running the same wheels(offsets).

Dave...your last statement says any combination legal, but above you say stay within your year for the spindle and upper control arm. By a 90-97 car using a 99 spindle and upper arm, you are saying this will add 5mm track width to both sides? But technically not legal correct?

[davew]

The rule was written with this fact figured into the equation. A na car running nb uprights and 25mm wheels will be legal

Dave

[Jim Drago]

Dave
Too busy too look, but while that is correct on dimension, I don't think we ever made a provision to allow NA car to run NB uprights?

I think all cars should be able to run... AHH never mind

[davew]

IIRC, originally we had different width specs for NA vs NB. When we changed to all cars using the NB width, the intent was to allow NA cars to use a NB rear upright. Especially if it was unintentional or an emergency situation.

I agree, all cars should be able to run.... Keep quiet Dave D

[Bench Racer]

I'm all about &

[Ron Alan]

I'm all about &

With a little smelly brown stuff stirred in occasionally