1991 MAZDA MIATA wheel alignment

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
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Fig. 15: Rear Disc Brake Assembly (Miata, Protege & 323)
2. Remove lower guide bolt from caliper. Rotate caliper upward, and support using rope. Remove "M"
spring. Remove pads, shims and guide plates. Replace pad if lining thickness is less than .04" (1.0 mm).
To install, reverse removal procedure.
Removal & Installation (MX-6 & 626)
1. Raise and support rear of vehicle. Remove wheel. Release parking brake and disconnect parking brake
cable from caliper. Remove upper guide bolt from caliper. Rotate caliper downward and secure with rope.
Remove "V" springs. Remove pads and shims.
2. To install, turn caliper piston clockwise using Disc Brake Piston Wrench (49-FA18-602) to retract caliper
piston. Ensure groove in piston aligns with alignment pin on back of inner pad. Replace pad if lining
thickness is less than .04" (1.0 mm). To complete installation, reverse removal procedure.
Removal & Installation (RX7)
1. Raise and support rear of vehicle. Remove wheel. Remove lower guide bolt from caliper. Rotate caliper
upward, and secure using rope. Remove "V" springs. Remove pads and shims. Replace pad if lining
thickness is less than .04" (1.0 mm).

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
BRAKE SYSTEM 1991 BRAKES Mazda Brake System
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2. To install, turn caliper piston clockwise using Disc Brake Piston Wrench (49-FA18-602) to retract caliper
piston. Ensure groove in piston aligns with alignment pin on back of inner pad. To install remaining
components, reverse removal procedure.
Removal & Installation (929)
Raise and support rear of vehicle. Remove wheel. Remove lower guide bolt from caliper. Rotate caliper upward
and secure with rope. Remove pads and shims. Replace pad if lining thickness is less than .08" (2.0 mm). To
install, reverse removal procedure.
REAR BRAKE CALIPER
Removal & Installation
1. Raise and support rear of vehicle. On all models except 929, release parking brake and disconnect parking
brake cable from caliper. On all models, disconnect brake hose from caliper.
2. On Miata, Protege and 323, remove manual adjustment gear concealment plug from caliper. See Fig. 15
.
Insert an appropriate size Allen wrench through hole and turn manual adjustment gear counterclockwise
to retract caliper piston.
3. On all models, remove lower guide bolt from caliper. Rotate caliper upward. Pull caliper toward center of
vehicle to slide it off of caliper mount. To install, reverse removal procedure. Bleed hydraulic system.
REAR BRAKE ROTOR
Removal & Installation (Miata, Protege, RX7, 323 & 929)
Remove rear brake caliper. Remove rotor-to-hub screws. Remove rotor. Machine rotor if lateral runout exceeds
specification. Replace rotor if measured thickness is less than specified minimum thickness. See DISC BRAKE
SPECIFICATIONS at end of article. To install, reverse removal procedure.
Removal & Installation (MX-6 & 626)
1. Remove rear caliper, and wire aside. Remove grease cap. Remove lock nut. Remove rotor. Machine rotor
if lateral runout exceeds specification. Replace rotor if measured thickness is less than specified minimum
thickness. See DISC BRAKE SPECIFICATIONS
at end of article.
2. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten lock nut to 73-131 ft. lbs. (99-178 N.m). Check end play at
grease cap. If end play exceeds .008" (.20 mm), replace wheel bearings.
REAR BRAKE SHOES
Removal (B2200, B2600i & MPV)
With brake drum removed, remove brake shoe return springs, retaining springs and guide pins. See Fig. 16 or
Fig. 17
. Remove brake shoes. Remove parking brake strut, and disconnect parking brake cable from operating
lever of secondar
y shoe. Minimum lining thickness is .04" (1 mm).

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
BRAKE SYSTEM 1991 BRAKES Mazda Brake System
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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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1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove axle lock nut. Remove cotter pin, and
disconnect tie rod from steering knuckle. Remove and wire aside brake caliper.
2. Separate lower control arm from ball joint. Remove bolt attaching ball joint to steering knuckle. Remove
bolts retaining steering knuckle to strut assembly. Separate hub and knuckle from drive shaft. Remove
wheel hub and rotor from knuckle. Remove bearings and oil seals.
Removal (MX-6 & 626)
1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Disconnect tie rod end from steering knuckle.
Disconnect stabilizer bar from lower control arm. Remove axle lock nut.
2. Disconnect brake line from strut assembly. Remove and wire aside brake caliper. Remove wheel speed
sensor. Remove bolt attaching ball joint to steering knuckle. Remove bolts attaching steering knuckle to
strut assembly. Remove steering knuckle.
3. Remove wheel hub from knuckle using Puller Set (49-G033-1A1). Remove snap ring. Remove wheel
bearing from steering knuckle using Remover (49-G033-106).
Removal (Protege, 323 & 929)
1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove axle lock nut. Remove cotter pin, and
disconnect tie rod from steering knuckle. Remove and wire aside brake caliper. Separate lower control
arm from ball joint. Remove bolts retaining steering knuckle to strut assembly.
2. On Protege and 323, separate hub and knuckle from drive shaft. Remove wheel hub and rotor from
knuckle. Place alignment marks on rotor and wheel hub. Separate and remove dust cover. Remove
bearings, oil seals, bearing outer races and spacer.
3. On 929, remove hub and rotor. Remove grease seal, sensor ring and circlip. Press bearing from hub
assembly. DO NOT reuse old bearing once pressed from hub.
Removal (RX7)
Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove and wire aside brake caliper. Remove grease cap,
cotter pin, nut lock and spindle nut. Remove washer and outer wheel bearing. Remove hub and rotor assembly.
Remove wheel speed sensor ring. Remove inner oil seal and wheel bearing.
Inspection (All Models)
Wash all disassembled parts before inspection. Check for damage, excessive wear and signs of bearing seizure.
Inspect steering knuckle and hub for cracks, scoring and rust. Check for damaged dust cover and poor fit with
steering knuckle.
Installation (All Models)
To install, reverse removal procedure. Adjust wheel bearing preload. See WHEEL BEARING under
ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION
. NOTE: If bearings need to be replaced on RX7, also replace hub.

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
SUSPENSION - FRONT 1990-91 SUSPENSION Front
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Inspection
Check for damage, oil leakage and abnormal noise. Check rubber parts for deterioration or damage. Inspect coil
spring for signs of fatigue or damage. Replace parts as needed.
Reassembly
Clamp shock absorber in vise. Install coil spring and components in reverse order of disassembly. Ensure coil
spring is well seated in upper and lower spring seats.
Installation
To install, reverse removal procedure. Final tighten all bolts with vehicle resting on ground and suspension
unloaded. See appropriate See SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in the WHEEL ALIGNMENT
section for checks and adjustments.
STRUT ASSEMBLY
Removal
1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Disconnect brake line from strut assembly. Remove
bolts attaching steering knuckle arm to strut assembly.
2. Disconnect harness connector from actuator (if equipped). Remove bolts, actuator and actuator mounting
bracket from upper mounting block. Remove nuts attaching upper strut assembly to body panel. Remove
strut assembly.
Disassembly
Clamp strut in vise. Compress coil spring using coil spring compressor. Remove piston lock nut. Slowly release
compressor tension. Remove components. Remove coil spring. Remove strut from vise.
Inspection
Check strut tube for cracks, damage, oil leakage and abnormal noise. Check rubber parts for deterioration or
damage. Inspect coil spring for signs of fatigue or damage. Check actuator control rod of strut assembly for
smooth rotation (if equipped). Replace parts as needed.
Reassembly
Clamp strut in vise. Install coil spring and components in reverse order of disassembly. Ensure that coil spring
is well seated in upper and lower spring seats. On MX-6 and 626, ensure upper spring seat positioning hole
faces inside of vehicle. NOTE: Prior to removing strut-to-steering knuckle bolts, make an alignment mark for
reassembly reference. Note position of mounting mark on top of strut assembly
before removing strut.

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
SUSPENSION - FRONT 1990-91 SUSPENSION Front
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Installation
To install, reverse removal procedure. Place identification mark of mounting block in its original position. See
Fig. 6
or Fig. 7 . See appropriate See SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in the WHEEL
ALIGNMENT section for checks and adjustments.
Fig. 6: Positioning Strut for Installation (MPV, RX7 & 929)

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
SUSPENSION - FRONT 1990-91 SUSPENSION Front
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table. Bleed air from system. Check fluid level. Check for leaks. Adjust alignment (if necessary).
POWER STEERING PUMP
Removal & Installation
1. Raise and support front of vehicle. On MX-6 and 626, remove right wheel and splash shield. On all
models remove belt, alternator and hydraulic lines from pump.
2. On Protege and 323, disconnect air cleaner duct and pressure switch. On all models, cap lines to prevent
contamination. Remove bracket-to-pump bolts.
3. To install, reverse removal procedure. Adjust belt tension. See POWER STEERING BELT
DEFLECTION TABLE under ADJUSTMENTS. Bleed air from system. Check for leaks.
OVERHAUL
STEERING GEAR
NOTE: See Fig. 2
-8 for exploded views of rack and pinion steering gears.

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