1991 MAZDA MIATA Brake caliper

DO NOT expose the ABS control unit to prolonged periods of high heat (185°F/85°C for 2 hours is
generally considered a maximum limit).
BLEEDING BRAKE SYSTEM
For ABS hydraulic unit bleeding, see HYDRAULIC UNIT under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
BRAKE LINE BLEEDING SEQUENCE
(1)
DIAGNOSIS
ABS system can only be diagnosed using ABS Tester (0000-42-0010). See Fig. 13 . An Adapter Harness
(49N0-66-001) is also required to test Miata ABS system. ABS tester cannot diagnose ABS control unit. If a
malfunction is detected in ABS and all other components in brake system are okay, replace ABS control unit.
If ABS tester is unavailable, test each component of ABS. See test procedures under TESTING. If all ABS
components test okay, replace control unit with a known good unit, and retest system for correct operation.
PRE-DIAGNOSIS INSPECTION
Perform a visual inspection of ABS components that could cause anti-lock problem. Visual inspection may help
identify cause of simple problem.
DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE WITH ABS TESTER
ABS tester uses one display window and 2 switches for reading information from unit. Become thoroughly
familiar with ABS tester displays and operation before proceeding. See Fig. 13
. To diagnose ABS system, go
to TESTING SEQUENCE charts under DIAGNOSING ABS SYSTEM. When diagnosing ABS system,
complete tests in order given under TESTING SEQUENCE. If ABS tester does not operate, check fuses,
ignition switch and ignition circuit.
TESTING
NOTE: See BRAKE BLEEDING article in the BRAKES Section.
ApplicationSequence
Miata & 929Longest Line First
RX7RR, LR, RF, LF
(1)If rear caliper has not been disassembled, open upper bleed valve only.
NOTE: Before testing ABS components, ensure battery and charging system are
functioning properly. To prevent damage to ABS control unit connector, use
very thin pins when probing connector.

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM 1988-91 BRAKES Mazda Anti-Lock Brake System
Microsoft
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SPECIFICATIONS TABLE at end of article.
Fig. 12: Locating Hydraulic Unit Bleeder Screw

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
WHEEL SPEED SENSOR ROTOR
Removal (Miata)
Remove brake caliper. Remove wheel hub. On rear axle, carefully remove sensor rotor from axle using a chisel.
On front rotor, remove sensor rotor using Puller (49- 0839-425C).
Installation
Press sensor rotor onto axle using Installer (49- H026-101A). Install sensor rotor on front rotor with chamfered
edge toward hub using Press Adapter (49-F001-95). To complete installation, reverse removal procedure.
Tighten mounting bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS TABLE at end of article.
Removal & Installation (RX7)
Remove brake caliper and wheel hub. On rear hub, remove wheel hub from outer toe control hub using Puller
(49-F026-103) and Installer (49-F026-102). On front rotor, remove rotor-to-hub bolts using Allen wrench. On
rear rotor, remove rotor-to-hub screws. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten mounting bolts to
specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS TABLE at end of article.
Removal & Installation (929)

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM 1988-91 BRAKES Mazda Anti-Lock Brake System
Microsoft
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Remove brake caliper and wheel hub. On rear axle, carefully remove sensor rotor from axle using chisel. On
front rotor, remove sensor rotor using Puller (49-0839-425C). To install, press sensor rotors onto axle and front
rotor using Installer (49-H026-101A). On front rotor, install sensor rotor with chamfered edge toward hub. To
complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Tighten mounting bolts to specification. See TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS TABLE at end of article.
WHEEL SPEED SENSOR
Removal & Installation
Unplug wheel sensor connector. Remove sensor bolt. Remove wheel sensor from vehicle. To install, reverse
removal procedure. On RX7, adjust wheel sensor so clearance between sensor and rotor is .016-.039" (.40-1.0
mm). Tighten mounting bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS TABLE at end of article.
DIAGNOSING ABS SYSTEM
ABS TESTER OPERATION
Fig. 13: Operating ABS Tester

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
TESTING SEQUENCE

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM 1988-91 BRAKES Mazda Anti-Lock Brake System
Microsoft
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Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
ADJUSTMENTS
PEDAL FREE PLAY
Depress pedal several times to release vacuum. Pedal free play should be .16-.28" (4-7 mm).
PEDAL HEIGHT & STOPLIGHT SWITCH
1. Released pedal height is measured from carpet surface on vertical portion of firewall to pedal pad center.
Disconnect stoplight switch. Move switch away from pedal. Adjust brake pedal push rod until correct
released pedal height is obtained. See BRAKE PEDAL HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS TABLE.
2. Adjust pedal free play. See PEDAL FREE PLAY under ADJUSTMENTS. Tighten push rod lock nut.
Rotate stoplight switch until it contacts pedal, then rotate an additional 1/2 turn. Tighten stoplight switch
lock nut. Reconnect stoplight switch.
3. The applied pedal height is measured from angled portion of firewall (without carpet) to pedal pad center.
Start engine. Depress brake pedal with 132-lb. (60 kg) pressure.
4. Measure the applied pedal height. If distance is not as specified, check brake adjustment, or check for air
in system. See BRAKE PEDAL HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS TABLE.
BRAKE PEDAL HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
Application(1) In. (mm)
Pedal Released
Miata & 9296.7-7.1 (171-181)
RX77.2-7.4 (184-189)
Pedal Applied
Miata & 9293.7 (95)
RX73.9 (100)
(1)Minimum height.
ApplicationFt. Lbs. (N.m)
Brake Caliper Mounting Bolts
Miata36-51 (49-69)
RX7
Front58-72 (79-98)
Rear33-40 (45-54)
929
Front61-69 (83-94)

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM 1988-91 BRAKES Mazda Anti-Lock Brake System
Microsoft
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BRAKE SYSTEM
1991 BRAKES Mazda Brake System
DESCRIPTION & OPERATION
All models use hydraulic-operated brake system with a tandem master cylinder and a power brake unit.
BRAKE SYSTEM BLEEDING
BRAKE LINE BLEEDING SEQUENCE
ADJUSTMENTS
MASTER CYLINDER PUSH ROD (NAVAJO)
1. Remove master cylinder to gain access to push rod. To check screw adjustment, fabricate a gauge. See
Fig. 1
. NOTE: For information on anti-lock brake systems, see appropriate ANTI-LOCK BRAKE
SYSTEM article in the BRAKES Section.
NOTE: See BRAKE BLEEDING article in the BRAKES Section.
ApplicationSequence
Protege & 323RR, LR, LF, RF
RX7 (1) RR, LR, RF, LF
All OthersLongest Line First
(1)If rear caliper has not been disassembled, open upper bleed valve only.
NOTE: Push rod has an adjustment screw to maintain correct distance between
booster push rod and master cylinder piston. If push rod is adjusted too long, it
prevents master cylinder piston from completely releasing hydraulic pressure,
causing brakes to drag. If push rod is adjusted too short, it causes excessive
pedal travel and an undesirable clunk in booster area.

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
BRAKE SYSTEM 1991 BRAKES Mazda Brake System

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
BRAKE SYSTEM 1991 BRAKES Mazda Brake System
Microsoft
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2. Release parking brake lever. Using a screwdriver, reach through parking brake handle hole in console and
rotate adjusting screw until stroke is 6-8 notches. Ensure rear wheels rotate freely. Ensure parking brake
warning light illuminates when brake lever is pulled one notch.
Miata, MX-6, MPV, Protege, RX7, 323, 626
1. On models with rear disc brakes, depress brake pedal several times. On models with rear drum brakes,
start engine and depress brake pedal several times while vehicle is moving in Reverse. Stop engine.
2. On all models, pull parking brake lever with a force of 22 lbs. (10 kg). If stroke is 5-7 notches, parking
brake is properly adjusted. If stroke is not 5-7 notches, raise and support rear of vehicle. Release parking
brake lever.
3. Rotate cable adjusting nut at lever end of cable (under console cover) until stroke is within specification.
On models equipped with rear disc brakes, ensure clearance between stopper and lever (at each caliper) is
not less than .08" (2 mm) on RX7, or zero on all other models. On all models, ensure parking brake
warning light illuminates when brake lever is pulled one notch.
PARKING BRAKE SHOES
929
Raise and support vehicle. Remove rear wheels. Remove service plug from rotor. Using a screwdriver, rotate
star wheel adjuster toward axle until rotor locks. Rotate adjuster in opposite direction 3-5 notches. Ensure rotors
turn freely and parking brake functions properly. Install service plug and rear wheels.
PEDAL FREE PLAY
Depress pedal a few times to eliminate vacuum. Pedal free play should be .16-.28" (4-7 mm). Adjust play by
loosening push rod lock nut. Turn push rod until correct free play is obtained. Tighten push rod lock nut.
PEDAL HEIGHT & STOPLIGHT SWITCH
1. Released pedal height is measured from carpet surface on vertical portion of firewall to pedal pad center.
Disconnect stoplight switch electrical connector. Loosen lock nut on stoplight switch. Move switch away
from pedal. Loosen push rod lock nut. Turn rod until correct pedal height is obtained. See BRAKE
PEDAL HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS .
2. Adjust pedal free play. See PEDAL FREE PLAY
under ADJUSTMENTS. Tighten push rod lock nut.
Rotate stoplight switch until it contacts pedal and then rotate an additional 1/2 turn. Tighten stoplight
switch lock nut. Reconnect stoplight switch electrical connector.
3. Applied pedal height is measured from angled portion of firewall (without carpet) to pedal pad center.
Start engine. On B2200, B2600i and MPV, depress brake pedal with 33 lbs. (15 kg) pressure. On all other
models, depress brake pedal with 132 lbs. (60 k
g) pressure. tension should be checked and adjusted.
NOTE: Pedal height and stoplight switch information is not available for Navajo.

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
BRAKE SYSTEM 1991 BRAKES Mazda Brake System
Microsoft
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procedure.
Fig. 5: Exploded View of Front Disc Brake Assembly (Protege & 323)

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Removal (Navajo)
1. To prevent master cylinder overflow when caliper piston is depressed, remove and discard some brake
fluid from master cylinder. Raise vehicle, and support using safety stands.
2. Remove front wheel assembly. Place a large "C" clamp on caliper. See Fig. 9
. Tighten clamp to bottom
piston in cylinder bore. Remove clamp.
3. Remove dirt around caliper pin tabs. Tap upper caliper pin toward inboard side of vehicle until pin tabs

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
BRAKE SYSTEM 1991 BRAKES Mazda Brake System
Microsoft
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touch spindle face.
4. Insert screwdriver into slot provided behind pin tabs on inboard side of pin. Using pliers, compress end of
pin while using screwdriver to pry until tabs slip into spindle groove.
5. Place a 7/16" diameter punch on end of pin, and drive caliper pin out of caliper slide groove. Repeat
procedure for lower pin. Remove caliper from rotor. Remove outer brake pad. Compress anti-rattle spring
clip, and remove inner brake pad. Support caliper aside. Replace pad if lining thickness is less than
specified. See MINIMUM PAD LINING SPECIFICATIONS (FRONT) TABLE.
Installation
Use "C" clamp to push caliper piston into piston bore until it bottoms out. To install, reverse removal procedure.
Bleed air from brake system.
Removal & Installation (RX7 With 4-Piston Caliper)
Raise and support front of vehicle. Remove wheels. Remove pad pins and pad springs. See Fig. 6 . Remove
brake pads and shims. Replace pad if lining thickness is less than specified. See MINIMUM PAD LINING
SPECIFICATIONS (FRONT) . To install, reverse removal procedure. CAUTION: During installation, DO NOT tap caliper pin too far into spindle groove. If
this happens, tap pin in other direction until tabs snap back into place.
Tabs on each end of caliper pin must be free to catch on spindle flanks.

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
BRAKE SYSTEM 1991 BRAKES Mazda Brake System
Microsoft
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