1991 MAZDA MIATA air suspension

Raise and support vehicle. Remove rear wheels. Remove brake rotor. Remove upper and lower return springs.
See Fig. 21
. Remove hold-down springs and pins. Remove parking brake shoes. Separate adjuster and
operating lever. Minimum lining thickness is .04" (1 mm).
Fig. 21: Exploded View of Parking Brake Assembly (929)

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Installation
Connect operating lever to parking brake cable. Set marked side (with arrow) of operating lever to front side.
Position shoes and adjuster. Ensure threaded side of adjuster faces forward on left wheel and rearward on right
wheel. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Adjust parking brake. See PARKING BRAKE
under ADJUSTMENTS
at beginning of article.
REAR AXLE BEARING & OIL SEAL
Removal (B2200 & B2600i)
1. Remove wheel and brake drum. Disconnect parking brake cable and brake line. Remove backing plate
bolts. Remove backing plate and rear axle assembly. Remove axle bearing lock nut using Holder (49-
NOTE: For information on models with sealed wheel bearings, see appropriate article
in the SUSPENSION Section.

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
BRAKE SYSTEM 1991 BRAKES Mazda Brake System
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1990-91 DRIVE AXLES
Differentials & Drive Axles - 929, B2200, B2600i, MX-5 Miata, MPV, Protege & RX-7
AXLE RATIO & IDENTIFICATION
See AXLE RATIO SPECIFICATIONS . To determine axle ratio, divide number of ring gear teeth by number
of pinion teeth.
AXLE RATIO SPECIFICATIONS
DESCRIPTION
An optional Limited Slip Differential (LSD) is available on Miata and RX7 models. Rear drive axles are
retained in the housing by tapered bearings and bearing retainers at axle housing outer ends on B2200 and
B2600i. Rear drive axle bearings on MPV 4WD are held in place by a pressed-on collar.
On front axle on B2600i (4WD) and MPV 4WD, and rear axle on Miata, Protege 4WD, RX7 and 929, drive
axles use CV joints to connect differentials to drive hubs.
LUBRICATION
CAPACITY
Application
No. of Teeth
Pinion/Ring Gear
Ratio
B220011/433.91:1
B2600i
Front & Rear11/413.73:1
MiataN/A4.30:1
MPV (Front & Rear)
A/T10/414.01:1
M/T11/433.91:1
Protege & 929N/AN/A
RX7
A/T (1) 11/433.9:1 or 4.1:1
M/T Non-TurboN/A4.1:1 or 4.3:1
M/T TurboN/A4.1:1
(1)Non-Turbo convertible only.
NOTE: For models with independent suspension, see REAR AXLE SHAFTS (vehicles
that are normally only FWD), or AXLE SHAFTS
- FRONT article in this section
for axle shaft overhaul.

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1990-91 DRIVE AXLES Differentials & Drive Axles - 929, B2200, B2600i, MX-5 Miata, MPV, Protege & RX-7

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1990-91 DRIVE AXLES Differentials & Drive Axles - 929, B2200, B2600i, MX-5 Miata, MPV, Protege & RX-7
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Fig. 12: Measuring Carrier Case Spread
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
1990 TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS (B2200 & B2600i)
ApplicationFt. Lbs. (N.m)
Brake Pipe Union10-16 (14-22)
Differential Assembly
Differential Carrier-to-Axle Housing17-20 (23-27)
Differential Carrier Bearings Cap Bolts
"P" Series Differential41-59 (56-80)
"M" Series Differential27-38 (37-52)
Differential Carrier
Bearings Lock Tab13-19 (18-26)
Drive Pinion Lock Nut94-130 (127-176) 90
Filler Plug29-40 (39-54)
Ring Gear Retaining Bolts51-61 (69-83)
Front Suspension & Differential
Drive Shaft Companion Flange20-22 (27-30)
Sub-Frame Mounting Bolts69-85 (94-115)

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1990-91 DRIVE AXLES Differentials & Drive Axles - 929, B2200, B2600i, MX-5 Miata, MPV, Protege & RX-7
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1991 TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS (PROTEGE 4WD)
1990-91 TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS (RX7)
Differential Carrier Bearing Cap Bolts27-38 (37-52)
Differential Carrier Bearing Lock Tab14-19 (19-26)
Differential Carrier-to-Housing17-20 (23-27)
Differential Case
Front Mounts33-50 (45-68)
Rear Mounts80-97 (109-132)
Drive Pinion Lock Nut87-130 (118-176)
Filler Plug29-40 (39-54)
Ring Gear Retaining Bolts51-61 (69-83)
Suspension & Mounts
Drive Axle Inner CV Joint Nut40-47 (54-64)
Drive Shaft Companion Flange20-22 (27-30)
Front Mount33-50 (45-68)
Lateral Link46-55 (62-75)
Rear Mount80-97 (109-132)
Stabilizer Bar10-13 (14-18)
Trailing Link69-86 (94-117)
Wheel Lug Nuts65-87 (88-118)
ApplicationFt. Lbs. (N.m)
Differential Carrier Bearing Cap Bolts27-38 (37-52)
Differential Carrier Bearing Lock Plate Bolt13-19 (18-26)
Differential Carrier-To-Housing Nuts17-20 (23-27)
Differential Case
Front Mounts39-47 (53-63)
Rear Mounts68-86 (93-116)
Drive Axle Inner CV Joint Nut40-47 (54-64)
Drive Pinion Lock Nut87-130 (118-176)
Drive Shaft Companion Flange Nuts20-22 (27-30)
Filler Plug29-40 (39-54)
Lateral Link Bolts46-55 (62-75)
Ring Gear Retaining Bolts51-61 (69-83)
Stabilizer Bar Bolts31-43 (43-58)
Trailing Link Bolts68-93 (93-126)
Wheel Lug Nuts65-87 (88-118)
ApplicationFt. Lbs. (N.m)
Differential Carrier-to-Housing17-20 (23-27)
Differential Carrier

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1990-91 DRIVE AXLES Differentials & Drive Axles - 929, B2200, B2600i, MX-5 Miata, MPV, Protege & RX-7
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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
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(20-29 N.m). Turn wheel hub a few times to seat bearings. Loosen lock nut slightly until it can be turned
by hand.
3. Attach spring scale to hub bolt, and measure preload. Note value. Tighten lock nut until preload is .09-2.2
lbs. (.4-1.0 kg) more than amount measured in step 2).
MX-6 & 626
Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove and wire aside brake caliper. Install a dial
indicator against wheel hub and measure axial movement. Axial movement should not exceed .008" (.2 mm). If
specification is exceeded, replace wheel bearing.
BALL JOINT CHECKING
Remove lower control arm. Rotate ball joint stud 3-4 times. Install Preload Attachment (49 0180 510B) to ball
joint stud. Measure ball joint preload using spring scale. Preload for all models except Miata, MPV 2WD and
929 is 4.4-7.7 lbs. (2.0-3.5 kg). Preload for Miata is 1.1-3.3 lbs. (.5-1.5 kg). Preload for MPV 2WD is 39.6 lbs.
(18. kg) or less. Preload for 929 is 1.1-2.6 lbs. (.5-1.2 kg).
Fig. 1: Exploded View of Front Suspension (Miata)

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
SUSPENSION - FRONT 1990-91 SUSPENSION Front
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Fig. 2: Exploded View of Front Suspension (RX7)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
SUSPENSION - FRONT 1990-91 SUSPENSION Front
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Fig. 3: Exploded View of Front Suspension (Protege & 323)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

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