1991 MAZDA MIATA torque

Fig. 4: Adjusting A/C Compressor Belt
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
POWER STEERING PUMP
Loosen power steering pump bolt and nuts and adjust belt deflection by turning adjusting bolt. See Fig. 3
, Fig.
6 and Fig. 7 . See ADJUSTMENT SPECIFICATIONS . Tighten bolts to specification. See TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS .
DRIVE BELT ROUTING

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1990-93 ENGINE COOLING Drive Belt Routing & Adjustment - MX-5 Miata
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TENSION SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
(2)
Application(1) Specification - Lbs. (kg)
New Belt (2)
Alternator110-132 (50-60)
A/C Compressor110-132 (50-60)
Power Steering Pump110-132 (50-60)
Used Belt
Alternator95-110 (43-50)
A/C Compressor95-110 (43-50)
Power Steering Pump95-110 (43-50)
(1)Measure tension using Tension Gauge (49 9200 020), or equivalent.
(2)Used on for less than 5 minutes.
ApplicationFt. Lbs. (N.m)
Alternator Adjusting Bolt
"A"14-18 (19-25)
"B"27-38 (37-52)
A/C Compressor Locknut27-38 (37-52)
Power Steering Pump Adjusting Bolt
"A"23-44 (31-46)
"B"27-40 (37-54)
"C"14-18 (19-25)

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1990-93 ENGINE COOLING Drive Belt Routing & Adjustment - MX-5 Miata
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SUSPENSION - FRONT
1990-91 SUSPENSION Front
DESCRIPTION
An independent front suspension with MacPherson struts is used on all models except Miata. Miata uses a
double wishbone design with coil over shock absorbers. See Fig. 1
. Strut assemblies mount between steering
knuckle and upper fender panels. Strut assemblies consist of inner shock absorbers and coil springs surrounding
outside of strut tube housing.
The steering knuckle is connected to lower control arm and strut. Lower control arm pivots at crossmember and
is connected by ball joint to steering knuckle. All models are equipped with a stabilizer bar which attaches to
each lower control arm and frame. See Fig. 1
- Fig. 5 . Some models may also be equipped with Auto Adjust
Suspension (AAS). For more information on this system, see ELECTRONIC SUSPENSION article in the
SUSPENSION section.
ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION
WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES
See WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS AND PROCEDURES article in the WHEEL ALIGNMENT
section.
WHEEL BEARING
Miata, Protege & 323
Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove and wire aside brake caliper. Remove rotor.
Install a dial indicator against wheel hub and measure axial movement. Axial movement should be .002" (.05
mm) maximum. If specification is exceeded, check and adjust lock nut torque or replace bearing on Protege and
323 or hub and bearing assembly on Miata.
MPV & 929
Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove and wire aside brake caliper. Install a dial
indicator against wheel hub and measure axial movement. Maximum axial movement should be .002" (.05
mm). If specification is exceeded, check and adjust lock nut torque or replace bearing on MPV 4WD and 929 or
hub and bearing assembly on MPV 2WD.
RX7
1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove and wire aside brake caliper. Install a dial
indicator against hub and measure axial movement. Axial movement should be zero. If specification is
exceeded, adjust preload or replace wheel bearing.
2. To ad
just preload, remove grease cap, cotter pin and set cover. Loosen lock nut. Tighten to 14-22 ft. lbs.

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
SUSPENSION - FRONT 1990-91 SUSPENSION Front

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
SUSPENSION - FRONT 1990-91 SUSPENSION Front
Microsoft
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Push out front bushing using a press and Remover (49-G030-627A). To remove rear bushing, install Bearing
Puller (49-0710-520) on bushing. DO NOT overtighten bearing puller nuts or lower arm will be distorted and
damaged. Press to push out rear bushing using Remover (49-G030-627A). To install both bushings, use
remover and Support Block (49-0823-146).
Installation (All Models)
To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten lower control arm pivot bolts to specification with vehicle
resting on ground and suspension unloaded. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
.
UPPER CONTROL ARM
Removal (Miata)
Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove engine splash shield. Remove ball joint pivot nut.
Use Puller (49-0118-850C) to separate ball joint from steering knuckle. Remove upper control arm pivot bolts.
Remove upper control arm.
Inspection
Check upper control arm for damage or cracks. Check bushings for deterioration and excessive wear. Check
ball joint for excessive wear. Examine dust boot for damage. Replace parts as necessary.
Bushing Replacement
Using a chisel, remove old bushing from control arm. Coat new bushing with grease. Press new bushing into
control arm.
Installation
To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten upper control arm pivot bolts to specification with vehicle
resting on ground and suspension unloaded.
SHOCK ABSORBER
Removal (Miata)
Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove engine splash shield. Remove stabilizer link bolt.
Separate upper ball joint from steering knuckle. Loosen lower control arm pivot bolts. Remove shock absorber
upper mount nuts and lower bolt. Move lower control arm just enough to remove shock absorber. Be careful not
to damage brake line.
Disassembly
Clamp upper mount in vise. Loosen lock nut 2 turns only. Compress coil spring using coil spring compressor.
Remove lock nut and remainin
g components. Slowly release compressor tension.

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
SUSPENSION - FRONT 1990-91 SUSPENSION Front
Microsoft
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Fig. 7: Positioning Strut for Installation (MX-6, Protege, 323 & 626)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
STABILIZER BAR
Removal & Installation
1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove engine splash shield (if equipped). Remove mounting hardware and
stabilizer bar. Note position of frame bushing seam. Inspect all components for wear, bends or damage.
2. Install frame bushing so it aligns with painted line on stabilizer bar. Install and partially tighten remaining
components. Final tighten all bolts with vehicle resting on ground and suspension unloaded.
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
ApplicationFt. Lbs. (N.m)
Miata
Brake Caliper Bracket Bolts36-51 (49-69)
Drive Axle Lock Nut123-159 (167-216)
Lower Ball Joint-To-Knuckle Nut43-57 (58-77)
Lower Ball Joint-To-Lower Control Arm Nut54-69 (73-93)

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
SUSPENSION - FRONT 1990-91 SUSPENSION Front
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REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
STEERING GEAR
Removal & Installation (Miata & MPV)
1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Raise and support front of vehicle. Remove front wheels. Remove
cotter pins and castle nuts from tie rod ends.
2. Using puller, remove tie rods from steering knuckles. Remove steering column intermediate shaft-to-
steering gear pinion shaft bolt. Mark reference lines on pressure pipe fittings.
3. Remove pressure and return hose connections from steering gear. Remove 2 steering bracket-to-frame
mounting through bolts. Remove steering gear and linkage with steering bracket attached from under the
vehicle.
4. To install, reverse removal procedure. Fill and bleed system. Tighten bolts to specification. See
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
table. Tighten steering gear-to-mounting bracket bolts (4) in the
following order: left front, right front, left rear, right rear.
Removal & Installation (MX-6 & 626)
1. Disconnect negative battery cable and power steering pressure switch connectors. Raise and support front
of vehicle. Remove front wheels.
2. Remove cotter pins and castle nuts from tie rod ends. Using puller, remove tie rods from steering
knuckles. Remove steerin
g column intermediate shaft-to-steering gear pinion shaft bolt.
Used Belt.35-.39 (8.9-10.0)
MPV
V6
New Belt.28-.30 (7.1-7.6)
Used Belt.30-.32 (7.6-8.1)
4-Cylinder
New Belt.26-.28 (6.6-7.1)
Used Belt.28-.31 (7.1-7.8)
MX-6 & 626
New Belt.31-.36 (7.8-9.1)
Used Belt.35-.43 (8.9-10.9)
RX7
New Belt.43-.51 (10.9-12.9)
Used Belt.55-.63 (14.0-16.0)
929
New Belt.28-.35 (7.1-8.9)
Used Belt.35-.43 (8.9-10.9)
(1)Belt deflection is measured at midpoint between idler pulley and pump, with 22 lbs. (10 kg.) of
pressure applied.

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
STEERING GEAR - POWER RACK & PINION 1991 STEERING Mazda - Power Rack & Pinion
Microsoft
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3. Remove pressure and return hose connections from steering gear. Remove mud flap on driver's side.
Remove steering gear mounting bolts. Remove steering gear through wheelwell on driver's side.
4. To install, reverse removal procedure. Fill and bleed system. Tighten bolts to specification. See
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
table.
Removal & Installation (Protege & 323)
1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Raise and support front of vehicle. Remove front wheels. Remove
engine undercover. Remove cotter pins and castle nuts from tie rod ends.
2. Using puller, remove tie rods from steering knuckles. Remove steering column intermediate shaft-to-
steering gear pinion shaft bolt. Remove pressure and return hose connections from steering gear box.
3. Remove all accessible steering gear mounting bracket upper nuts and lower bolts. On Protege, support
drive train from above. Loosen stabilizer bar left mounting bracket and remove engine mount
crossmember.
4. Remove transmission control cable clip. Remove transfer case mount nuts. Lower engine gradually until
rear engine mount bolts can be removed. Remove lower left steering gear mounting bolt from between
transaxle and transfer case.
5. On all models, remove steering gear. To install, reverse removal procedure. Fill and bleed system.
Tighten bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
table.
Removal & Installation (RX7)
1. Remove battery. Drain cooling system. Remove fan shroud and radiator. Raise and support front of
vehicle. Remove front wheels and engine undercover.
2. Remove control links and stabilizer bar. Remove cotter pins and castle nuts from tie rod ends. Remove tie
rods from steering knuckles with puller.
3. Remove steering column intermediate shaft-to-steering gear pinion shaft bolt. Remove pressure and
return hose connections from steering gear box.
4. Remove steering gear mounting bolts. Lower steering gear brackets, steering gear and linkage from
vehicle as an assembly.
5. To install, reverse removal procedure. Fill and bleed system. Tighten bolts to specification. See
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
table.
Removal & Installation (929)
1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Raise and support front of vehicle. Remove front wheels. Remove
engine undercover. Disconnect pressure and return hose connections in front of steering gear.
2. Drain fluid. Disconnect return hose fitting to control valve. Remove starter for access to control valve.
Disconnect control valve and pressure switch connectors. Remove control valve. Remove cotter pins and
castle nuts from tie rod ends.
3. Using puller, remove tie rods from steering knuckles. Remove steering column intermediate shaft-to-
steering gear pinion shaft bolt. Remove steering gear mounting bolts. Remove steering gear from bottom
of vehicle.
4. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
STEERING GEAR - POWER RACK & PINION 1991 STEERING Mazda - Power Rack & Pinion
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Fig. 8: Exploded View of Rack & Pinion Steering Gear (929)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
ApplicationFt. Lbs. (N.m)
Intermediate Shaft-To-Pinion Shaft Bolt
All Models Except RX713-19 (18-26)
RX712-18 (16-24)
Middle Crossmember
Front Bolt29-40 (39-54)
Rear Bolt58-86 (78-117)
Pinion Bearing Lock Nut29-36 (39-50)
Pinion Housing Lock Nut
Miata29-39 (39-53)
MPV, Protege & 32329-36 (39-50)
MX-6 & 62633-40 (44-54)
RX7 & 92936-51 (49-69)
Stabilizer Bar-To-Control Link Nut27-40 (36-54)

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
STEERING GEAR - POWER RACK & PINION 1991 STEERING Mazda - Power Rack & Pinion
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