Mazda Drop Spindle Facts!!!

Until recently I thought that the Mazda Drop Spindles would come with a Mazda Upper/Lower Ball Joint. This is not the case! Upon further reading and information from reputable sources I have found out that the Mazda Drop Spindle comes with a Lower S10 Ball Joint.

Yes, the one that is pressed into the 3/8" plate is from an S10. So if you re-taper the spindle to accept the Upper S10 Ball Joint you will get 30 degrees more pivot! And a cleaner look, since I believe they are screw in?

This information was brought to my attention from Steve at CanDo Specialties...and some misc reading on forums!

Just thought you might want to know, if you didn't already!


Dev

S10 upper balljoints are not crew in. Thats the Chrysler balljoint you are thinking of, that is used in Mustang II applications. The S10 is a 4 bolt pattern, similar to the Mazda bolt pattern, and can easily be adapted. And if you get the power performance balljoints, they get a lot more travel than a stock S10.

Sweet, thanks for clearing that up. I wasn't sure.


Dev

did i read that right? 30 EXTRA degrees of pivot? WTF?

i want that phantom

so will stock upper balljoints fit my "new" drop spindies

Yes a stock balljoint will fit your new spindles.

So now this may be a dumb question but how do you retaper the spindle? A die grinder? a lathe? a machine shop? Surely not a cutting torch or sawzall.

You buy a balljoint taper bit. There are a few different tapers. You need to figure out which ones yours is, and get the bit, then figure out how deep it needs to be drilled to match. You could do it with a nice caliper and a drill press and be safe. Or if you don't like numbers, take the spindle and the balljoint to a machine shop and tell them to make it fit.

Sweet. I have a drill press!!! Oh wait no truck...yet, or drop spindles. I will def keep this in mind? Now can you use the S-10 bj's with stock spindles if you have them retapered?