1991 MAZDA MIATA check oil

Inspection
Check for damage, oil leakage and abnormal noise. Check rubber parts for deterioration or damage. Inspect coil
spring for signs of fatigue or damage. Replace parts as needed.
Reassembly
Clamp shock absorber in vise. Install coil spring and components in reverse order of disassembly. Ensure coil
spring is well seated in upper and lower spring seats.
Installation
To install, reverse removal procedure. Final tighten all bolts with vehicle resting on ground and suspension
unloaded. See appropriate See SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in the WHEEL ALIGNMENT
section for checks and adjustments.
STRUT ASSEMBLY
Removal
1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Disconnect brake line from strut assembly. Remove
bolts attaching steering knuckle arm to strut assembly.
2. Disconnect harness connector from actuator (if equipped). Remove bolts, actuator and actuator mounting
bracket from upper mounting block. Remove nuts attaching upper strut assembly to body panel. Remove
strut assembly.
Disassembly
Clamp strut in vise. Compress coil spring using coil spring compressor. Remove piston lock nut. Slowly release
compressor tension. Remove components. Remove coil spring. Remove strut from vise.
Inspection
Check strut tube for cracks, damage, oil leakage and abnormal noise. Check rubber parts for deterioration or
damage. Inspect coil spring for signs of fatigue or damage. Check actuator control rod of strut assembly for
smooth rotation (if equipped). Replace parts as needed.
Reassembly
Clamp strut in vise. Install coil spring and components in reverse order of disassembly. Ensure that coil spring
is well seated in upper and lower spring seats. On MX-6 and 626, ensure upper spring seat positioning hole
faces inside of vehicle. NOTE: Prior to removing strut-to-steering knuckle bolts, make an alignment mark for
reassembly reference. Note position of mounting mark on top of strut assembly
before removing strut.

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
SUSPENSION - FRONT 1990-91 SUSPENSION Front
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LUBRICATION
CAPACITY
POWER STEERING FLUID CAPACITY
FLUID TYPE
Dexron-II or M-III are recommended for all vehicles.
FLUID LEVEL CHECK
Check fluid level with engine off. Remove fluid level gauge on oil pump or reservoir. Check fluid level. Fluid
should be between "L" and "H" marks on level gauge dipstick. If fluid level is low, fill through gauge tube.
Recheck fluid level. DO NOT overfill.
HYDRAULIC FLUID BLEEDING
1. Raise and support front of vehicle. With ignition off, turn steering wheel lock-to-lock several times. Add
fluid as necessary. Repeat procedure until fluid level no longer decreases.
2. Start engine and let idle. Turn steering wheel lock-to-lock 5 times. Check fluid level. Add fluid as
necessary. Continue procedure until fluid is clear of air bubbles and does not decrease in level.
ADJUSTMENTS
POWER STEERING BELT ADJUSTMENT
POWER STEERING BELT DEFLECTION
(1)
(1)Specifications are measured at 1000-1500 RPM, with fluid temperature at 122-140°F (50-60°C).
ApplicationQts. (L)
Miata, MPV & 929.95 (.90)
MX-6 & 626
Electronc Controlled Power Steering (ECPS)1.06 (1.0)
Engine Speed (Sensing) Power Steering (ESPS).95 (.90)
Protege & 323.63 (.60)
RX7.85 (.80)
NOTE: On-vehicle adjustment procedures are not available from manufacturer.
ApplicationIn. (mm)
Miata, Protege & 323
New Belt.31-.35 (7.8-8.9)

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
STEERING GEAR - POWER RACK & PINION 1991 STEERING Mazda - Power Rack & Pinion
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drive axle lock nut. Check axial play. See WHEEL BEARING under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION.
STRUT ASSEMBLY
Removal & Disassembly
1. Raise vehicle and remove fuel tank filler pipe protector. Remove rear wheel assembly. Remove stabilizer
bar nut and bolt. Remove 2 upper strut mount-to-body nuts. Remove lower strut bolt. Loosen upper and
lower arm bolts. Lower arms and remove strut assembly.
2. Clamp strut securely in soft-jawed vise. Compress coil spring. Remove lock nut and washer. Remove
remaining components and note order for reassembly.
Inspection
Check strut for leaks or abnormal noise. Inspect parts for wear or damage. Check for loose installation of bolts
and nuts. Replace parts as necessary.
Reassembly & Installation
To reassemble, reverse disassembly procedure. To install, reverse removal procedure. Ensure coil spring is well
seated in upper and lower seats. Check rear wheel toe-in. See SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in
the WHEEL ALIGNMENT section.
LOWER ARM
Removal
Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove stabilizer bar control link nut and bolt. See Fig.
1 . Remove lower strut bolt. Remove lower arm-to-crossmember bolts. Remove lower arm-to-knuckle bolts.
Remove lower arm. Inspect arm for dama
ge, cracks and deformation. Check for damaged or worn bushings.

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
SUSPENSION - REAR 1991 SUSPENSION Rear
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ARMATURE TESTING
1. Place armature in growler. Turn on growler and hold a piece of hacksaw blade over armature. Slowly
rotate armature. If hacksaw blade is attracted to core or if it vibrates, replace armature.
2. Remove armature from growler. Using an ohmmeter, check continuity between commutator and core. If
continuity exists, the armature is shorted and must be replaced. Check continuity between commutator
and shaft. If continuity exists, replace armature.
3. Check continuity between each commutator segment. If an open exists between any 2 segments, replace
armature.
COMMUTATOR TESTING
1. Clean surface and polish with No. 400 sandpaper if required. If surface is scored, out of round or pitted,
turn commutator in a lathe.
2. Maximum commutator runout and minimum diameter of commutator must not exceed specification after
turning. See COMMUTATOR SPECIFICATIONS table.
3. Commutator mica undercut depth should be .02 -.03" (.5 -.8 mm). Minimum mica undercut depth
is .008" (.20 mm). If not within specification, undercut to standard depth.
COMMUTATOR SPECIFICATIONS
BRUSH TESTING
1. Connect ohmmeter lead to positive brush holder and other lead to negative brush holder. If continuity
exists, brush holder assembly is shorted and must be replaced.
2. Check brush length. If less than specification, replace brushes. See BRUSH LENGTH
SPECIFICATIONS table. Use brush spring scale to check spring tension. Spring tension is measured at
point where spring separates from brush.Tension should be greater than 2 lbs. (0.9 kg). Tension
specification for a new spring is 3.1-5.7 lbs. (1.4-2.6 kg). Brushes must move freely in holders.
BRUSH LENGTH SPECIFICATIONS
FIELD COIL TESTING
1. Connect one ohmmeter lead to field coil lead ("M" terminal lead). Connect other lead to soldered portion
of brush lead. If continuity does not exist, repair or replace field coil.
2. Check field coil for shorts to
ground by connecting ohmmeter lead to field coil lead. Connect other lead
Application
Maximum Runout In.
(mm)Minimum Diameter
In. (mm)
B2200 (M/T)
Protege (M/T) & 323.004 (.10)1.22 (31)
Miata.001 (.03)1.22 (31)
ApplicationStandard In. (mm)Minimum In. (mm)
All Models.67 (17.0).45 (11.5)

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
STARTER - DIRECT DRIVE 1990-92 ELECTRICAL Mazda Starters - Direct Drive
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Check timing belt for cracks, peeling, abrasion or other damage. Check tensioner bearing for looseness or
roughness of rotation. Inspect tensioner spring for stretching. Replace parts as necessary.
Installation (All Models)
1. Position notch on crankshaft sprocket to 12 o'clock position (aligned with mark on oil pump). Align
timing marks on camshaft sprocket(s). For SOHC, see Fig. 4
. For DOHC, see Fig. 5 or Fig. 7 . Ensure
crankshaft timing mark is at TDC. Install belt around crankshaft sprocket, then working in a
counterclockwise direction, route belt around camshaft sprocket(s).
2. Loosen timing belt tensioner lock bolt, and allow spring to apply tension on belt. Snug tensioner lock
bolt. Rotate crankshaft 2 complete turns in direction of normal engine rotation. Ensure timing marks
align. If timing marks are not aligned, remove belt, realign all timing marks, and repeat installation
procedure.
3. On all engines, check timing belt deflection with 22 lbs. (10 kg) of pressure applied to belt. See Fig. 8
.
Ensure timing belt deflection is within specification. See TIMING BELT DEFLECTION
table. Adjust
drive belts to proper tension.
TIMING BELT DEFLECTION
Application(1) Deflection - In. (mm)
1986-89.47-.51 (11.9-13.0)
1990-95
DOHC.35-.45 (9.0-11.5)
SOHC.43-.51 (11.0-13.0)
(1)Deflection measurement is with 22 lbs. (10 kg) of pressure applied to timing belt. See Fig. 8.

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
MAZDA 1.6L & 1.8L 4-Cylinder - 1986-95
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