1994 MAZDA MX-5 Workshop Manual

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE Problem General instabllity Body "rolls" "Heavy" steering wheel operation Steering wheel pulls to one side Excessive steering wheel play Body leans Abnormal noise from suspension system Shake (Steering wheel tibrates upldown) Shimmy (Steering wheel vibrates leftlright) Possible cause Weak coil spring Malfunction of shock absorber Worn or damaged stabilizer and/or suspension arm bushings Worn or damaged upper or lower arm ball joint Improperly adjusted wheel alignment Weak stabilizer Worn or damaged stabilizer and/or suspension arm bushings Insufficiently lubricated or stuck upper arm lower arm ball joint lmproperly adjusted wheel alignment Weak coil spring Worn or damaged stabilizer and/or suspension arm bushings Deformed upper or lower arm or knuckle Loose upper or lower arm bushing Worn or damaged upper or lower arm bushing Worn or damaged upper or lower arm ball joint Weak coil spring Weak stabilizer andlor suspension arm bushings Loose mounting component Poorly lubricated or worn upper or lower arm ball joint Malfunction of shock absorber Worn or damaged stabilizer and/or suspension arm bushings Excessive tire or wheel runout Loose lug nuts Unbalanced wheel@) Cracked or worn engine mounting rubber Cracked or worn steering gear mounting rubber Loose steering gear mounting bolts Stuck or damaged steering ball joint Excessive tire or wheel runout Loose lug nuts Unbalanced wheel(s) Insufficient tire pressure Unevenly worn tires Malfunction of shock absorber Loose shock absorber mounting bolts Stuck or damaged upper or lower arm ball joint Cracked or worn suspension bushings Damaged or worn front wheel bearing lmproperly adjusted front wheel alignment Action Replace Replace Replace Replace Adjust Replace Replace Replace Adjust Replace Replace Replace Replace Replace Replace Replace Replace Tighten Replace Replace Replace Replace Tighten Adjust or replace Replace Replace Tighten Replace Replace Tighten Adjust or replace Adjust Replace Replace Tighten Replace Replace Replace Adjust Page R-13 R-12,22 R-16, 18, 19, 23,24,25 section M R-15,17 R- 6 R-19,25 R-16, 18,19, 23, 24,25 section M R-15,17 R- 6 R-13 R-16, 18,19, 23, 24,25 R-15,17 section M R-16,18 R-16,18 R-15,17 R-13 R-16, 18, 19, 23,24,25 section M 7 R-15,17 R-l2,22 R-16, 18,19, 23,24,25 section M - section Q section Q section B section N section N section N - section Q section Q section Q section Q R-l2,22 R-12,22 R-15, 17 R-16,18,19 section M R- 6 15UORX-00 Gartner Banana

WHEEL ALIGNMENT WHEEL ALIGNMENT FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT Specifications (Unladed*l) PRE-INSPECTION 1. Check the tire inflations, and adjust to the recommended d pressure if necessary. 2. lnspect the front wheel bearing play and correct if neces- sary. 3. lnspect the wheel and tire runouts. 4. Inspect the ball joints and steering linkage for excessive looseness. 5. The vehicle must be on level ground and carry no lug- gage or passengers. 6. Measure the height from the center of the wheel to the fender brim. The difference between left and right mea- surement must not exceed 10mm (0.39 in), and the rear measurement must be larger then the front measure- ment by 10-30mm (0.4--1.1 in). Caution The proper caster and camber angle vary depend- ing on the vehicle height. Refer to the following and to page R-9 for the specifications. Inspection and adjustment of wheel alignment must be done with the vehicle unladed*'. . . I Y -- t~otal toe-in l~er side) I 1 dearee 0'09' + 09' I Total toe-in 3 2 3 I0.12 2 0.12) 0'1 8' 2 18' mm (in) dearee Maximum steering angle U - Inner Outer 11 '20' -0°20' 2 45' 0'03' ? 45' 0'24' 2 45' 0°44' -+ 45' 1'02' -+ 45' 5'1 6' ? 45' 5O02' -+ 45' 4O49' 2 45' 4'35' -+ 45' 4'21 ' -+ 45' I Kingpin angle 37"23' -+ 2" 32O32' 2 2" '1 Fuel tank full; radiator coolant and engine oil at specified levels; spare tire, jack, and tools in designated positions. OSUORX-009 ** Difference between left and right must not exceed lo. '3 Difference between left and right must not exeed 1'30'. 328-337 {I 2.9-1 3.3) 338-347 {I 3.3-1 3.7) 340-357 I13.7-14.1) 358-367 {I 4.1-14.4) 36&377 {I 4.4--14.8) 328-337 {I 2.9--13.3) 338-347 {I 3.3-1 3.7) 348-357 113.7-14.1) 358-367 {I 4.1-14.4) 368-377 {I 4.4--14.8) Camber angleg2 Caster angle*3 Height from center Of wheel to fender brim mm {in) Height from center Of wheel to fender brim mm (in) Gartner Banana

WHEEL ALIGNMENT LEFT WHEEL INCREASE CAM BOLT RIGHT WHEEL 0) '. jr INCREASE Adjustment Maximum steering angle 1. Remove the steering gear boot clamp. 2. Loosen the tie rod locknut. 3. Turn the tie rod to provide the correct maximum steering angle. 4. After adjustment, tighten the locknut to the specified torque. Tightening torque: 3539 N-m (3.W.0 kgf-m, 26-28 ftdbf) 5. Adjust the toe-in. (Refer to page R-8.) 6. Verify that the boot is not twisted, and install the boot clamp. Caster Caster is adjusted by turning the front and/or rear adjust- ing cam bolts at the lower arm. Caution Adjust the caster before adjusting the camber. 1. Loosen the front and/or rear cam nuts. 2. Turn the front and/or rear adjusting cam bolts to provide the correct caster angle. Left wheel Right wheel Caster I Front cam I Rear cam I Front cam I Rear cam Counter- 1 Clockwise I Clockwise 1 I Increase I ( clockwise Note Turning the front cam one graduation on the scale changes the caster angle about 22' and the camber about 25'. Turning the rear cam one graduation changes the caster angle about 22' and the camber about 2'. Decrease 3. Adjust the camber and the toe-in. Clockwise Clockwise Counter- clockwise Counter- clockwise Gartner Banana

WHEEL ALIGNMENT LEFT WHEEL POSITIVE RIGHT WHEEL POSITIVE Camber Camber is adjusted by turning the front and rear adjust- ing cam bolts at the lower arm. 2 Caution Adjust the camber after adjusting the caster. 1. Loosen the front and rear cam nuts. 2. Turn the front and rear adjusting cam bolts the same amount in the opposite direction to provide the correct camber angle. Left wheel Note Turning the front cam one graduation changes the camber about 25' and the caster about 22'. Turning the rear cam one graduation changes the camber about 2' and the caster about 22'. Right wheel Positive Negative Note If the cam cannot be turned far enough to make the adjustment, begin again at adjustment of the caster using the other cam. i 3. Tighten the nuts. I Caster I Front cam 1 Rear cam I Front cam I Rear cam Tightening torque: 94--112 N.m (9.5-11.5 kgf.m, 69-43 ftlbf) clockwise Counter- Clockwise 4. Adjust the toe-in. Toe-in 1. Remove the steering gear boot clamp. 2. Loosen the left and right tie rod locknuts, and turn the tie rods by the same amount. 3. Loosen the left and right tie rod locknuts and turn the tie rods equally. Both tie rods are right threaded, so turning the right tie rod toward the front of the vehicle and the left toward the rear increases toe-in. Clockwise Counter- clockwise Note Turning both tie rods one complete turn changes toe-in by about 7 mm (0.28 in}. 4. Tighten the tie rod locknuts to the specified torque. Clockwise Counter- clockwise Tightening torque: 35-39 N.m (3.5--4.0 kgf.m, 26--28 ft4bf) Counter- clOCkWise Clockwise 5. Verify that the boot is not twisted, and install the boot - clamp. Gartner Banana

WHEEL ALIGNMENT REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT Specifications (Unladed*) I Item I Specifications I L *' Fuel tank full; radiator coolant and engine oil at specified levels; spare tire, jack, and tools in designated positions. 05Uo~x-01~ *2 Difference between the leff and right must be exeed lo. 3 + 3 i0.12 * 0.12) 0'18' k18' 0'09' 2 09' -1 "08' +. 30' Total toe-in Total toe-in (per side) Camber angle'' LEFT WHEEL - mm {in) degree degree INCREASE I 1 346-355 (1 3.6-1 4.0) Height from center of wheel to fender brim'2 mm Iin) RIGHT WHEEL C INCREASE 356-3135 {14.0-14.4) 366-375 {I 4.4--14.8) 376-385 {I 4.8-1 5.2) 386--395 {I 5.2-1 5.6) LEFT WHEEL -C -0°54' r 30' -0'43' 2 30' -0°35' r 30' -0'30' +. 30' Toe-in Toe-in is adjusted by turning the front and/or rear adjust- ing cam bolts at the lower arm. Caution Adjust the toe-in before adjusting the camber. 1. Loosen the front and/or rear cam nuts. 2. Turn the front and/or rear adjusting cam bolts to provide the correct toe-in. I Counter- Counter- Decrease Clockwise Clockwise clockwise clockwise Toe-in Note Turning the front cam one graduation changes the toe-in about 2.8mm (0.11 in} and the camber about 15'. Turning the rear cam one graduation changes the toe-in about 2.8mm I0.11 in} and the camber about 6'. 3. 'Adjust the camber. Left wheel Camber Camber is adjusted by turning the front and rear cams at the lower arm. Right wheel Caution Adjust the camber after adjusting the toe-in. Front cam I Rear cam I Front cam I Rear cam 1. Loosen the front and rear cam nuts. 2. Turn the front and rear adjusting cam bolts the same amount in the opposite direction to provide the correct camber angle. Gartner Banana

WHEEL ALIGNMENT RIGHT WHEEL C I I I I Counter- I Counter- I Clockwise I Clockwise I clockwise I 4 Positive clockwise Left wheel Right wheel Note Turning the front cam one graduation changes the camber about 15' and the toe-in about 2.8mm (0.11 in}. Turning the rear cam one graduation changes the camber about 6' and the toe-in about 2.8mm I0.11 in). If the cam cannot be turned far enough to make the adjustment, begin again at adjustment of the toe in using the other cam. Negative 3. Tighten the nuts. Caster Tightening torque: 73-95 Nm (7.4--9.7 kgf.m, 54--70 ft4bf) Front cam I Rear cam I Front cam I Rear cam Counter- clockwise Counter- clockwise Clockwise Gartner Banana

FRONT SUSPENSION (DOUBLE-WISHBONE) FRONT SUSPENSION (DOUBLE-WISHBONE) PREPARATION SST 49 0727 575 Puller, socket oint Attachment, steering worm bearing preload measuring 49 GO34 1 A0 Compressor, coil spring Screw (Part of - 49 GO34 1 AO) - Wrench, flare nut For removal of lower arm ball joint For 1 49 GO34 101 49 01 18 850C Puller, ball joint For inspection of upper arm ball joint 49 H028 301 Installer, dust boot For 1 49 GO34 103 removal and installation of coil spring Body (Part of 49 GO34 1 AO) For removal and installation of brake pipe removal and installation of coil spring SHOCK ABSORBER AND SPRING Removal / Installation 1. Jack up the front of the vehicle and support it with safety stands. 2. Remove the undercover. 3. Remove the band for the wheel speed sensor harnes. 4. Remove in the order shown in the figure, referring to Removal Note. Arm (Part of 49 GO34 I AO) 5. Inspect all parts and repair or replace as necessary. 6. Install in the reverse order of removal. For removal of upper arm ball joint For installation of front lower arm boot For removal and installation of coil spring For removal and installation of coil spring 7. Loosely tighten the shock absorber, upper arm, stabilizer control link, and stabilizer bracket bolts. Tighten all other nuts and bolts to the specified torques. 8. Install the band for the wheel speed sensor. 9. Lower the vehicle. 10. With the vehicle unloaded, tighten the upper arm and shock absorber bolts to the specified torques. - 11. Adjust the front wheel alignment. (Refer to page R-6.) 25UORX406 Gartner Banana

FRONT SUSPENSION (DOUBLE-WISHBONE) 1. Wheel and tire 2. Stabilizer control link bolt 3. Upper arm ball joint Removal Note ........ 4. Mounting plate nut 5. Shock absorber and spring Removal Note ............. page R-12 Disassembly l Inspection I , . . page R-18 Assembly ................ page R-13 Removal note Shock absorber and spring 1. Loosen the lower arm bolts. Caution Do not lower the arm excessively, which may damage the brake hose. L 2. Lower the lower arm to remove the shock absorber. Gartner Banana