i was just wondering this. are the strut housings for a GSL-SE different from a GSL? if so how so?

thanks
~steve

 

I have heard the 84-85 are the same se or not . but there is a differant part #

 

hmm interesting.... any one else know any thing?

 

I believe that the SE housings are different from the other FBs, but that the 12A 81-85 are identical. The '79 and '80 housings are completely different as well, but that's an aside.

 

yea i have seen on classic garage they have the konis for 79-80 and 81-85.

im assuming by the lack of responce that there the same

 

the spindals are the same on 84-85 7's so that makes them differant than 79 and the 80-83 the 80 through 83 are the same

 

ok kuklrx7 you lost me lol. so what your saying is if i have strut housings forn an 84-85 se i wount beable to swap then over to my 81 with out getting 84-85 spindles?

 

you will need to replace your front barings with the 84-85 ones. why not replace the hole assy? that way you would have the better brakes of the se.

 

79 - 80 is one spindle size and utilizes a different strut cartridge than the other years.

81 - 83 is a different spindle size and accepts any strut cartridge from 81 - 85.

84 - 85 is yet another spindle size and they accept any strut cartridge from 81 - 85

There is NO difference between S, GS, GSL, GSLSE for 84 - 85 with regards to their spindles or which strut cartridges will fit. The SE does have much better brakes, though.

The real draw to the 84 - 85 suspension is the much better bearings that are used on the front. The outers are the same ones that are used on the 2nd gens.

 

FOR 84 AND 85

GSL-SE (13B) S/GS/GSL (12A)

DAMPER FA66-34-910B FA55-34-910A
CARTRIDGE FA66-49-790 FA01-49-790


They don't seem to match...?

I am about to go to the wreckers and would greatly appreciate more info.

 

factory dampers may have been different, but the aftermarket parts do not distinguish between the two. The strut housings and spindles are definitely the same.

 

Bearings are 33047 and 33075 for all 84 and 85, so the spindles are the same size. If aftermarkets do not distinguish between 12As and 13Bs then the geometry and mount locations are all the same.

So Mazda has 2 part numbers fro the same part,....?

 

Answering my own question

The dampers are different because they came with different cartridges depending on the 12A or 13B engine.

Thanks. Glad I could help.

 

thanks well put. thats what I was tring to say. I just did not have time to look up the pertics.

 

holy thread revival!!

now, i need to verify this. im wanting to install SE brakes on my 85 GSL. i dont need to swap the spindles, correct? all i need is the backing plates and brake components, correct?

thanks guys.

 

That is correct. I'm doing the same swap.

 

You'll need to the discs too. They are slightly larger and vented.