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I’m in the process of converting my track car to SM. I got most of the work done and am down to doing the suspension and some odd & ends now. I had put Poly bushing in my control arms, so need to replace those. It was cheaper and easier to get a fairly clean/low mileage set of used arms than to buy new bushing and do the R&R on the current arms. Anyway, I got the front done yesterday, sort-of… It seems one of the upper control arm ball joints is different than the other. 
When I tighten the castellation nut, it seats about 1/8†beyond the cotter pin hole. I don’t know if the threaded portion is longer or the seating cone is narrower, but I’m thinking another arm is needed. Did Mazda change the ball-joints in these over the years? The control arm “looks†correct, but obviously is not.
Upper Control Arm Issue
#1
Posted 02-24-2014 09:33 AM
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- Location:Richmond, VA
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- Car Year:1999
- Car Number:58
Chris
Happiness is a dry martini and a good woman ... or a bad woman.
- George Burns
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#2
Posted 02-24-2014 10:34 AM
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Ron
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#3
Posted 02-24-2014 10:35 AM
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AKA Cajun Miata Man; Overdog Driver
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You have a NA upper control arm.... Not 99, as Ron suggested.
James York
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#03
#4
Posted 02-24-2014 11:19 AM
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The upper ball joint stud on a NB control arm is longer than that of a NA.
If you try to use a NB arm with an NA spindle, the stud will be too long.
If you use a NA arm on an NB spindle the stud will be too short.
Dave
Dave Wheeler
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#5
Posted 02-24-2014 11:40 AM
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- Location:Richmond, VA
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- Car Year:1999
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The upper ball joint stud on a NB control arm is longer than that of a NA.
If you try to use a NB arm with an NA spindle, the stud will be too long.
If you use a NA arm on an NB spindle the stud will be too short.
Dave
Okay now I'm concussed...? My car is a '99 and the stud is too long.
Chris
Happiness is a dry martini and a good woman ... or a bad woman.
- George Burns
#6
Posted 02-24-2014 11:55 AM
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#7
Posted 02-24-2014 11:55 AM
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East Street Racing / 2 Time National Champion
- Location:Memphis, Tn
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The taper on 99/00 is different than a 01-05.
Same goes for spindles
East Street Auto Parts
Jim@Eaststreet.com
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#8
Posted 02-24-2014 01:06 PM
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You have an 01 up control arm. Not a NA control arm.
The taper on 99/00 is different than a 01-05.
Same goes for spindles
Thanks Jim. PM sent.
Chris
Happiness is a dry martini and a good woman ... or a bad woman.
- George Burns
#9
Posted 02-24-2014 02:01 PM
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- Location:Beloit, Wi
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What Jim said. I forgot about the 99-00 versus 01+ difference.
Dave
Dave Wheeler
Advanced Autosports, the nations most complete Spec Miata shop
Author, Spec Miata Constructors Guide, version 1 and 2.0
Building Championship winning cars since 1995
4 time Central Division Spec Miata Champion car builder 2012-2013-2014-2017
Back to Back June Sprints Spec Miata 1-2 finishes 2016 and 2017
5 time June Sprints winner in Mazda's
6 Time Northern Conference Champion Car Builder
2014 SCCA Majors National point Champion car builder
2014 SCCA Runoffs winner, T4 (Bender)
2014 Central Division Champion, ITS (Wheeler)
2013 Thunderhill 25 hour winning crew chief
2007 June Sprints winner, (GT1, Mohrhauser)
Over 200 race wins and counting.
www.advanced-autosports.com
dave@advanced-autosports.com
608-313-1230
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