1991 MAZDA MIATA differential

1990-93 DRIVE AXLES
Axle Shafts - MX-5 Miata
DESCRIPTION
The axle shaft is a double offset, constant velocity joint type.
TROUBLE SHOOTING
Check dust boot on axle shaft for cracks, damage, leaking grease, and loose boot bands. Check axle shaft for
bending, cracks, and wear of joints or splines. Repair or replace axle shaft if necessary.
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
AXLE SHAFTS
Removal
1. Raise vehicle and support with safety stands. Remove wheel and tire assembly. See Fig. 1 . Loosen axle
shaft lock nut until flush with end of axle shaft. Mark differential and axle shaft flanges for installation
reference. See Fig. 2
. Remove axle shaft flange nuts. NOTE: See TROUBLE SHOOTING
- BASIC PROCEDURES article in GENERAL
INFORMATION.
NOTE: Manufacturer recommends using new axle shaft lock nut during
installation.

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1990-93 DRIVE AXLES Axle Shafts - MX-5 Miata

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1990-93 DRIVE AXLES Axle Shafts - MX-5 Miata
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Fig. 2: Identifying Differential-To-Axle Shaft Flange Mark
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1990-93 DRIVE AXLES Axle Shafts - MX-5 Miata
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 2:16:33 PMPage 3 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Fig. 3: Removing Axle Shaft From Hub Assembly
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
2. Remove upper control arm bolt, and pull knuckle/hub assembly outward. Remove inner CV joint from
differential flange. Remove axle shaft from knuckle/hub assembly. If axle shaft is stuck in knuckle/hub
assembly, use plastic or soft-faced hammer to tap axle shaft from knuckle/hub assembly. See Fig. 3
.
Remove axle shaft lock nut.
Installation
To install, reverse removal procedure. Align marks on differential and axle shaft flanges. Check rear wheel
alignment. See appropriate article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT. Tighten all bolts and nuts to specification. See
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
. Stake axle shaft lock nut. See Fig. 4.
NOTE: Manufacturer recommends using new axle shaft lock nut during installation.

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1990-93 DRIVE AXLES Axle Shafts - MX-5 Miata
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 2:16:33 PMPage 4 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Fig. 14: Installing Balls In To Inner Ring
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
3. Install a NEW snap ring in axle shaft snap ring groove. Apply specified amount of grease to joints and
boots. See LUBRICATION SPECIFICATION
table. Aling marks and install NEW clip.
LUBRICATION SPECIFICATION
4. Ensure that boots are not dented or twisted. Set axle shaft to standard length. See AXLE SHAFT
LENGTH table. Release any trapped air from boots by carefully lifting up small end of each boot with a
cloth-wrapped screwdriver. See Fig. 15
. Ensure that axle shaft length is within standard. If drive shaft
length is not within standard, repeat this step.
ApplicationQuantity
Wheel Side CV Joint Boot1.9-2.7 oz. (55-75 g)
Differential Side CV Joint Boot2.7-3.4 oz. (75-95 g)

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1990-93 DRIVE AXLES Axle Shafts - MX-5 Miata
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 2:16:33 PMPage 14 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Fig. 16: Installing Boot Band
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
AXLE SHAFT LENGTH
REAR AXLE SHAFT BOOT IDENTIFICATION
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
ApplicationIn. (mm)
1990
On Vehicle25.96 (659.3)
Off Vehicle25.97-26.37 (695.7-669.7)
1991-93
On Vehicle25.87 (657)
Off Vehicle25.30-26.68 (642.6-677.7)
ApplicationIn. (mm)
Wheel Side Diameter3.58 (90.8)
Differential Side Diameter3.44 (87.4)

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1990-93 DRIVE AXLES Axle Shafts - MX-5 Miata
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 2:16:33 PMPage 16 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

ApplicationFt. Lbs. (N.m)
Axle Shaft Lock Nut (1) 159-217 (216-294)
Differential-To-Axle Shaft Flange Nuts (4)40-47 (54-64)
Upper Control Arm Bolt/Nut34-49 (46-66)
Wheel Lug Nuts65-87 (88-118)
(1)Non-reuseable part. Manufacturer recommends replacing axle shaft lock nut on installation.

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1990-93 DRIVE AXLES Axle Shafts - MX-5 Miata
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 2:16:33 PMPage 17 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

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
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 2:17:01 PMPage 1 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.
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DIFFERENTIAL CAPACITY SPECIFICATIONS (1)
FLUID TYPE
DIFFERENTIAL LUBRICATION SPECIFICATIONS
(1)
TROUBLE SHOOTING
See TROUBLE SHOOTING - BASIC PROCEDURES article in the TROUBLE SHOOTING Section.
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
REAR AXLE SHAFTS & BEARINGS
Removal (B2200 & B2600i)
1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove rear wheels. Remove brake drum and shoes. Using a dial indicator,
measure axle flange lateral movement. If bearing play is not within specification, bearing shim must be
adjusted during installation. See END PLAY SPECIFICATIONS
.
2. Disconnect brake line from wheel cylinder. Plug line openings. Disconnect parking brake cable. Remove
backing plate retaining nuts. Remove axle shaft and backing plate as an assembly.
ApplicationQts. (L)
B2200 (Front & Rear)1.3 (1.2)
B2600i
Front1.6 (1.5)
Rear1.8 (1.7)
Miata.69 (.65)
MPV 2WD1.6 (1.5)
MPV 4WD
Front1.8 (1.7)
Rear1.6 (1.5)
Protege 4WD.69 (.65)
RX7
Non-Turbo1.4 (1.3)
Turbo1.5 (1.4)
9291.4 (1.3)
(1)Fill to lower edge of filler plug hole.
ApplicationSpecification
Above 0°F (-18°C)GL-5/SAE 90W
Below 0°F (-18°C)GL-5/SAE 80W
(1)Fill to lower edge of filler plug hole.

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1990-91 DRIVE AXLES Differentials & Drive Axles - 929, B2200, B2600i, MX-5 Miata, MPV, Protege & RX-7
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 2:17:01 PMPage 2 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.