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Can any tell me the standard diameter of the front and rear sway bars that were fitted to factory NA8 Clubman.
Also were the tie rods different for the Bilstein shocks.
Were the springs different to standard NA8 springs.

mazdatenfive wrote:Can any tell me the standard diameter of the front and rear sway bars that were fitted to factory NA8 Clubman. Also were the tie rods different for the Bilstein shocks. Were the springs different to standard NA8 springs.

Clubman: 20mm front & 11mm rear v 19mm front & 11mm rear for standard NA8. The US Miata R Package, the US Clubman equivalent, uses 20mm front, & the 12mm rear from the NA6.

Haven't heard that different tie rods were used, however it's believed a different pitman arm was used on the steering knuckle to take into account the lower spring perches of the Bilsteins.

Clubman springs were standard NA8, which was part of the problem when matched with the Bilsteins as they were then valved.
All in here: viewtopic.php?f=76&t=30041

93_Clubman wrote:Haven't heard that different tie rods were used, however it's believed a different pitman arm was used on the steering knuckle to take into account the lower spring perches of the Bilsteins.

So if someone was to remove the manual steering and add power steering would that affect the pitman arm. BTW not sure what a pitman arm is, is it the rod to which the the tie rods are screwed to.

mazdatenfive wrote:

93_Clubman wrote:Haven't heard that different tie rods were used, however it's believed a different pitman arm was used on the steering knuckle to take into account the lower spring perches of the Bilsteins.

So if someone was to remove the manual steering and add power steering would that affect the pitman arm. BTW not sure what a pitman arm is, is it the rod to which the the tie rods are screwed to.

Not sure, as it would depend on the similarity between power rack & non-power rack, but if they were very similar, then in theory you retain the original pitman arm. See here:
http://www.google.com.au/images?hl=en&q ... CCAQsAQwAw

I found a Pdf diagram that shows 2 types of tie rod ends, partnumbers 8AN1-32-280 & 8AN2-32-280. One is for Bilstein dampers and the other without.

Nice find, but does it specifically mention Bilsteins used on the NA8, given they were also used on 10AE & SE.

got a few google hits on the part numbers - even a pdf which purportedly shows the two different tie rods, but they look significantly different which is contrary to posts in other hits which say the only difference is under the rubber boot:
http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&s ... =&gs_rfai=

Things are starting to look clear as mud to me.

unfortunately there are inconsistencies in info & pics in the hits - fwiw, i've just checked both clubmans & they have the tie rods with the kink in it, but i don't have a standard na8 i can check.

given the contributors, the following post seems to be the most convincing for the US experience, but how that translates to Aust may be another thing. of course, it still doesn't explain why Asuki Automobile show two easily distinguishable tie rods:
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.ph ... ht=tie+rod

tunaswijayasakti-pt.com/pic/362-Mazda-TieRodEnd-1.pdf

Also given contributors, the following is useful for the US R Package, & I suspect it would have translated to Aust delivered cars given its nature, even though we didn't get the R Package 12mm rear swaybar:
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=32279

mazdatenfive wrote:I found a Pdf diagram that shows 2 types of tie rod ends, partnumbers 8AN1-32-280 & 8AN2-32-280. One is for Bilstein dampers and the other without.

Btw, do you have a URL for the PDF, so we're reading from the same page?

Here is scan from a Miata.net pdf file I found

Many Tks - ah, the Miata parts catalog - thought it might have been that one.

Looks like the non-OEM part, in some cases at least, doesn't have the kink in it:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/2-OUTER-TIE-ROD- ... ccessories

That might explain the Asuki one.

Asuki has two types, my NA8 Clubman has a kink but don't know what basic NA8's look like.

Emailed Aussie Qld agent but they have not replied.

The one on ebay is not like mine, ebay one has no kink.

Appreciate Asuki has two types - the point is, a possible explanation for the straight one is that it may be non-genuine Mazda part, as opposed two the two US types which from memory were genuine Mazda parts. I suspect the standard NA8 from the factory will have the ones that are just slightly different. In other words, when looking at them already fitted to the vehicle there will be no obvious difference, except upon close inspection may be a difference in the amount of thread visible above the nut.