1991 MAZDA MIATA wheel alignment

SUSPENSION - REAR
1991 SUSPENSION Rear
DESCRIPTION
Rear suspension consists of MacPherson-type struts, crossmember, upper and lower arms and stabilizer bar with
control link. Upper and lower arms attach to crossmember and knuckle. A stabilizer bar with control link is
mounted to lower arm and crossmember. Rear wheel alignment is adjusted by turning adjusting cams on lower
arm.
ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION
WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES
See WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS AND PROCEDURES article in the WHEEL ALIGNMENT
section.
WHEEL BEARING
Raise vehicle and support. Remove wheel assembly. Remove caliper assembly and wire aside. Remove brake
rotor. Attach dial indicator to axle hub and measure bearing play. Maximum bearing play is .002" (.05 mm). If
play exceeds specification, check rear axle lock nut torque or replace wheel bearing.
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
WHEEL BEARING
Removal
1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove drive axle lock nut. Remove brake caliper
assembly, and wire aside. Remove screws and rotor. Disconnect ABS speed sensor. Remove knuckle
assembly from upper and lower arms.
2. Using a press, Installer (49-G030-727) and Puller (49-F026-103), remove hub from knuckle. Remove
snap ring from knuckle. Using a press, installer and Puller (49-0636-145), remove wheel bearing inner
race from hub. Remove wheel bearing outer race from knuckle using a press and Adapter (49-F027-005).
Inspection
Check wheel hub and knuckle for cracks and damage. Check dust cover for deformation. Check bearing for
excessive wear or seizure.
Installation
Press new wheel bearing into knuckle using Installer (49-F027-007) and Adapter (49-F027-009). Press hub into
knuckle using installer. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten drive axle lock nut to specification. Stake

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
SUSPENSION - REAR 1991 SUSPENSION Rear

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
SUSPENSION - REAR 1991 SUSPENSION Rear
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 2:09:35 PMPage 1 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.
Microsoft
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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
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 2:09:35 PMPage 2 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Fig. 1: Exploded View of Rear Lower Arm Assembly
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Installation
To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten all bolts with vehicle resting on ground and suspension
unloaded. Adjust rear wheel toe-in. See SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in the WHEEL
ALIGNMENT section.
UPPER ARM
Removal
Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove upper arm-to-crossmember bolts. Remove upper
arm-to-knuckle bolts. Remove upper arm. Inspect arm for damage, cracks and deformation. Check for damaged
or worn bushings.

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
SUSPENSION - REAR 1991 SUSPENSION Rear
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 2:09:35 PMPage 3 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Installation
To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten all bolts with vehicle resting on ground and suspension
unloaded. Adjust rear wheel toe-in. See SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in the WHEEL
ALIGNMENT section.
STABILIZER BAR
Removal
Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove stabilizer bar-to-crossmember bolt, bracket and
bushing. See Fig. 2
. Remove stabilizer bar control link-to-lower arm nut and bolt. Remove stabilizer bar and
control link from vehicle. Separate stabilizer bar from control link.
Fig. 2: Exploded View of Rear Stabilizer Bar & Control Link

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
SUSPENSION - REAR 1991 SUSPENSION Rear
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 2:09:35 PMPage 4 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Fig. 1: Aligning Clockspring Connector Alignment Marks
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Removal & Installation (All Others)
Remove steering wheel. See STEERING WHEEL & HORN PAD under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
Remove steering column covers. Disconnect combination switch connectors. Remove combination switch. To
install, reverse removal procedure.
IGNITION SWITCH & STEERING LOCK
Removal & Installation (All Models)
1. Remove steering wheel and combination switch. See STEERING WHEEL & HORN PAD and
COMBINATION SWITCH.
2. Remove ignition switch connectors. Remove ignition switch-to-steering lock screw. Remove ignition
switch.
3. With a hammer and chisel, make a groove on steering lock assembly shear screws. Remove 2 shear
screws with screwdriver. Remove ignition switch/steering lock assembly. To install, reverse removal
procedure. Tighten NEW shear screws until head breaks off.
STEERING COLUMN
CAUTION: Excessive pressure or impact to mainshaft during service may cause
column to collapse.

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
STEERING COLUMN 1991 STEERING Mazda - Steering Columns
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