94/95 spindles on a 2003 Mach?

EPIK · Jun 21, 2008

As some of you know, I installed my MM k member kit last week & it made my front wheels stick out around 1/4" outside the fender. It doesnt say anything in the MM instructions, but there K member kit widens the track width by 1/4" per side, but thats another story. So what I did to remedy this problem is I purchased a set of 94/95 spindles since they are 8mm narrower than the 96-04 spindles. I have been researching everywhere & havent came up with any info on someone doing this swap on a newer car, but it is a popular swap for Foxes doing a 5 lug swap.

I know that the spindles will bolt on to the car & they will essentially work, but will I run into erratic handling issues since the steering knuckles are different? I am going to be installing a better bumpsteer kit in the process that allows for more adjustment, but this kit is the bolt through type that requires drilling out the spindle instead of using a tapered stud like the stock tie rods. Has anyone used the bolt through type before? I currently have the steeda tapered stud bumpsteer kit on my car, but I think i will have to use the other kit to allow for more adjustment....

Well anyway, my basic question is, are these spindles going to work fine on my car.

Thanks in advance...

Here is a pic that shows the difference. See how the steering knuckle on the 94/95 spindles curves upward instead of straight like the later models....

Here is the bumpsteer kit I am going to use...

Here is the kit that is currently on the car....I dont think the tapered stud on this kit is going to be long enough to allow enough adjustment to make the tie rods parellel due to the upward curve of the steering knuckle on the 94/95 spindles?

Here is a pic of my issue with the wheels sticking out...Not only does it look stupid, but its also causing my tires to rub. Yes I know my car is very low, but my tires never rubbed before.....It annoys the hell out of me...

This is how it looked before the k install...Tucked in perfectly...

Here is the new suspension setup!!!

SaleenGT2001 · Jun 21, 2008

with the bumpsteer kit you shouldnt have any issues just get a good alignment shop to check it out for you.

SaleenGT2001 · Jun 21, 2008

the earlier spindels should actually work better on a lowered car b/c they move the tie rod down a little.

BennyBlown2v · Jun 21, 2008

Should work great! Looks good! Maybe get the new spindles sand blasted and paint them/clear coat them for rust protection?

That lift if scary, your car is being supported by the pinch weld that connects the floor pan to the unibody instead of on your SFC's.

SaleenGT2001 · Jun 21, 2008

damn, i didnt notice the lift.

lift from the sub frames. it is a lot safer and better for the car also

Mustang5L5 · Jun 21, 2008

It's only 8mm though...is that gonna be enough??

Black_02_GT · Jun 21, 2008

8mm would come out to over a 1/4" if i am thinking right, so more than enough...

HOOCBB · Jun 22, 2008

looks like the 94-95 spindles don't have the ABS ring...

where exactly is the difference measured? Is it possible that the hub may be the difference? If so, what about putting 94-95 hubs on it instead to keep your ABS?

OR

Can the ABS ring be moved over to the 94-95 spindle?

EPIK · Jun 22, 2008

SaleenGT2001 said:
the earlier spindels should actually work better on a lowered car b/c they move the tie rod down a little.

I think they actually move the tie rod up?

BennyBlown2v said:
Should work great! Looks good! Maybe get the new spindles sand blasted and paint them/clear coat them for rust protection?

That lift if scary, your car is being supported by the pinch weld that connects the floor pan to the unibody instead of on your SFC's.

I hope they work...I would sand blast & paint em, but i dont have the tools or the time. i need this done by monday...

I just noticed the lift point myself. I will have to tell my buddy to lift from the subframes next time. I wasnt paying attention....

Mustang5L5 said:
It's only 8mm though...is that gonna be enough??

I hope so. apparently thats the same amount the track was widened??

HOOCBB said:
looks like the 94-95 spindles don't have the ABS ring...

where exactly is the difference measured? Is it possible that the hub may be the difference? If so, what about putting 94-95 hubs on it instead to keep your ABS?

OR

Can the ABS ring be moved over to the 94-95 spindle?

The ones I have do have the ABS ring. I believe some of the low end 94-95 models didnt have ABS...Im not sure exactly where the difference is, i just know they are narrower by 8mm....

Mustang5L5 · Jun 22, 2008

HOOCBB said:
looks like the 94-95 spindles don't have the ABS ring...

where exactly is the difference measured? Is it possible that the hub may be the difference? If so, what about putting 94-95 hubs on it instead to keep your ABS?

OR

Can the ABS ring be moved over to the 94-95 spindle?

The ABS ring is part of the hub, and the hubs are interchangable. So he could just put his ABS hubs on the older spindles

The difference in width is due to the spindle

urban96 · Jun 22, 2008

i read some people have to grind a little to fit the mach/cobra calipers.... but when i installed the mach kit on my 95 i didnt grind anything :shrug:

Mustang5L5 · Jun 22, 2008

It's only the 99-04 GT calipers that need clearancing when using the 94-95 spindles.

Cobra calipers fit them fine.

EPIK · Jun 22, 2008

The thing that I am unsure about is if I will be able to get buy with my current bumpsteer kit once I install the 95 spindles since the knuckle curves upwards almost an inch. I have never actually measured my car for bumpsteer, I just focused on getting the tie rod as parralel to the control arm as possible. MM highly recommends using the bolt through style bumpsteer that I posted above, but these require drilling out the spindle on a drill press to 5/8". We dont have a press & all the machine shops are closed on weekends & I need these done by tomorrow morning if Im gonna drill em out.

Here is my current configuration...

flstang65 · Jun 22, 2008

Mustang5L5 said:
The ABS ring is part of the hub, and the hubs are interchangable. So he could just put his ABS hubs on the older spindles

+1 Or just buy some new ones that way he would have some new bearings up front also.

SVT32VDOHC · Jun 23, 2008

Damn, the tie rod is up a lot. They will be up more with the 94-95 spindles. I hope you get things figured out man!

EPIK · Jun 23, 2008

SVT32VDOHC said:
Damn, the tie rod is up a lot. They will be up more with the 94-95 spindles. I hope you get things figured out man!

Thats because my car is dumped... I will be installing the correct bumpsteer kit that will allow more adjustment, so hopefully it will be ok. I will post results tonight....

SVT32VDOHC · Jun 23, 2008

Cool man. I hope you get it right. I have always admired your car. The color, the wheels, the look, it's just frickin sweet.

EPIK · Jun 24, 2008

SVT32VDOHC said:
Cool man. I hope you get it right. I have always admired your car. The color, the wheels, the look, it's just frickin sweet.

Thanks bro, I appreciate that. I put alot of time, stress, hard work, & money into this thing....

Finally got it all done today. I will post a thread in TALK....

Anyone who has a 96-04 stang that wants to install an MM k, but dont want the front track to get wider, 94/95 spindles are the way to go as long as you use the correct bolt through spindle bumpsteer kit & drill out the tapered steering knuckle to 5/8"....The 94/95 spindles brought the wheels right back to where they needed to be, & after using the new bumpsteer kit it feels more precise too. Keep in mind my car is dumped, so the geometry will never be perfect, but for how low it is, it handles great & rides good...Also squared it to the chassis today with plumb bob's, & it was amazingly off by an 1/8" on one side....

Thanks for all the help everyone....