1997 MAZDA MIATA service

Fig. 2: Moving Quadrant On Rear Drum Brake Adjuster (MX-6 & 626 Shown; MX-3 & Protege Are
Similar)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
PARKING BRAKE SHOES ADJUSTMENT
Millenia, MPV & 929
1. Raise and support rear of vehicle. Remove rear wheel assemblies. Remove service plug from rotor. Insert
a screwdriver into service plug hole and turn adjuster in direction of arrow marked on rotor until rotor
will not turn.
2. On Millenia and MPV, rotate adjuster 3-5 notches in opposite direction. On 929, rotate adjuster 6-8
notches in opposite direction. On all models, ensure rotor rotates freely. Install service plug.
PARKING/EMERGENCY BRAKE
Miata, MX-3, MX-6, Protege & 626
NOTE: B2300, B3000 & B4000 are equipped with self-adjusting parking brake system.
Manual adjustment is not required.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
BRAKE SYSTEM 1995-97 BRAKES Mazda - Disc & Drum
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:51:02 PMPage 4 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

2. Install primary and secondary shoes in original positions (secondary shoe is longer). Adjust brake shoes.
See REAR BRAKE SHOES ADJUSTMENT
. Bleed air from system.
Fig. 17: Exploded View Of Rear Drum Brake Assembly (MX
-3 & Protege Shown; MX-6 & 626 Are
Similar)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
PARKING BRAKE SHOES
Removal (Millenia, MPV & 929)
Raise and support vehicle. Remove rear wheel assemblies. Remove service plug. See Fig. 18 . Remove brake
caliper with brake hose connected. Support caliper usin
g wire. Remove brake rotor. Remove return springs,

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
BRAKE SYSTEM 1995-97 BRAKES Mazda - Disc & Drum
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:51:03 PMPage 26 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Computer Relearn Procedures
COMPUTER RELEARN PROCEDURES
Vehicles equipped with engine or transmission computers may require a relearn procedure after vehicle battery
is disconnected. Many vehicle computers memorize and store vehicle operation patterns for optimum
driveability and performance. When vehicle battery is disconnected, this memory is lost. The computer will use
default data until new data from each key start is stored. As computer memorizes vehicle operation for each
new key start, driveability is restored. Vehicle computers may memorize vehicles operation patterns for 40 of
more key starts.
Customers often complain of driveability problems during relearn stage because vehicle acts differently then
before being serviced. Depending on type and make of vehicle and how it is equipped, the following complaints
(driveability problems) may exist:
Harsh Or Poor Shift Quality
Rough Or Unstable Idle
Hesitation Or Stumble
Rich Or Lean Running
Poor Fuel Mileage
These symptoms and complaints should disappear after a number of drive cycles have been memorized. To
reduce the possibility of complaints, after any service which requires battery power to be disconnected, vehicle
should be road tested.
GENERIC COMPUTER RELEARN PROCEDURES
Some manufacturers identify a specific relearn procedure which will help establish suitable driveability during
relearn stage. These procedures are especially important if vehicle is equipped with and electronically
controlled automatic transmission or transaxle. Always complete procedure before returning vehicle to
customer. The following general procedures are to be used if driveability problems are encountered after power
loss or battery has been disconnected. These procedures may provide an aid in eliminating these problems.
Automatic Transmission
Set parking brake, start engine in "P" or "N" position. Warm-up vehicle to normal operating temperature
or until cooling fan cycles.
Allow vehicle to idle for one minute in "N" position. Select "D" and allow engine to idle for one minute.
Accelerate at normal throttle position (20-50%) until vehicle shifts into top gear.
Cruise at light to medium throttle.
Decelerate to a stop, allowing vehicle to downshift, and use brakes normally.
Process may be repeated as necessary.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
GENERAL INFORMATION Computer Relearn Procedures

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
GENERAL INFORMATION Computer Relearn Procedures
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:47:32 PMPage 1 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:47:35 PMPage 1 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Fig. 17: Measuring Installed Valve & Guide Height
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Valve Seat
1. Service valve guide before valve seat. Valve seat replacement information is not available from
manufacturer. Inspect valve seat for roughness and damage. Check valve seat angle and seat width.
2. Measure seat contact width on valve and ensure seat contact position is in center of valve face. Service
seat if angle and width are not within specification. See CYLINDER HEAD
under ENGINE
SPECIFICATIONS. Measure valve installed height after servicing valve seat. See Fig. 17
. See VALVE
INSTALLED HEIGHT .
3. If valve installed height is within serviceable range, install adjusting shim on spring seat. If installed
height exceeds serviceable range, replace cylinder head.
VALVE INSTALLED HEIGHT
ApplicationIn. (mm)
Miata & Protege

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-98 ENGINES 1.8L 4-Cylinder
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:55:15 PMPage 26 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Valves
Check valve face angle, head diameter, margin thickness and stem diameter. Service or replace valves if
measurements are not within specifications. See VALVES & VALVE SPRINGS
under ENGINE
SPECIFICATIONS.
Valve Seat Correction Angles
Measure seat contact width on valve. See VALVE SEAT. If seat width is not within specification or if valve
face does not contact center of valve seat, correct seat using a 70-degree grinding stone. After correcting seat,
lightly finish seat with 45-degree grinding stone.
VALVE TRAIN
Hydraulic Lash Adjusters
1. Remove camshaft cover. Check movement of each Hydraulic Lash Adjuster (HLA) by pushing
downward using hand pressure only. If HLA compresses, replace HLA. To remove HLA, remove
camshafts. See CAMSHAFT
under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Mark location of HLA before
removing from bore. Lift HLA from cylinder head.
2. Inspect HLA friction surfaces for wear and damage. Replace HLA if required. Coat HLA with engine oil
and install in original location. Ensure HLA moves smoothly in bore by using small magnet attached to
HLA.
CYLINDER BLOCK ASSEMBLY
Piston & Connecting Rod Assembly
1. Before removing rod cap from crankshaft, measure and record rod side play. See CONNECTING RODS
under ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS. Before removing connecting rods, measure and record connecting
rod bearing oil clearance. See CRANKSHAFT, MAIN & CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS
under
ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS.
2. Before separating piston from connecting rod, mark piston in relation to connecting rod. Check
oscillation movement of piston and rod assembly (hold piston horizontally, lift rod and allow rod to drop
by its own weight). If pin binds in pin bore (rod does not drop), replace piston and/or pin as necessary.
3. To separate components, press piston pin out of piston and rod assembl
y, noting pressure required to
Normal1.772-1.791 (45.00-45.50)
Serviceable1.733-1.772 (45.60-46.50)
NOTE: If hydraulic lash adjusters are persistently noisy, check with manufacturer
for availability of modified adjusters.
NOTE: During disassembly, match mark components for reassembly reference.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-98 ENGINES 1.8L 4-Cylinder
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:55:15 PMPage 27 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

VALVES & VALVE SPRINGS
VALVES & VALVE SPRINGS
Exhaust Valve
Seat Angle45°
Seat Width.032-.055" (0.80-1.40 mm)
Valve Guides
Intake Valve
Valve Guide I.D..2367-.2374" (6.01-6.03 mm)
Valve Guide Installed
Height.721-.744" (18.3-18.9 mm)
Valve Stem-To-Guide Oil Clearance
Standard.0010-.0023" (.025-.060 mm)
Maximum.008" (.20 mm)
Exhaust Valve
Valve Guide I.D..2367-.2374" (6.01-6.03 mm)
Valve Guide Installed
Height.721-.744" (18.3-18.9 mm)
Valve Stem-To-Guide Oil Clearance
Standard.0012-.0025" (.030-.065 mm)
Maximum.008" (.20 mm)
ApplicationSpecification
Valves
Face Angle45°
Installed Height
Normal1.772-1.791" (45.00-45.50 mm)
Serviceable1.733-1.772" (45.60-46.50 mm)
Minimum Margin
Intake.035" (0.9 mm)
Exhaust.039" (1.0 mm)
Refinish Length
Miata
Intake
Standard4.0114" (101.89 mm)
Minimum3.9524" (100.39 mm)
Exhaust
Standard4.0153" (101.99 mm)
Minimum3.9563" (100.49 mm)
Protege
Intake

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-98 ENGINES 1.8L 4-Cylinder
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:55:15 PMPage 40 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

INSPECTION
BALL JOINT CHECKING
Lower Ball Joint
Remove lower control arm. See LOWER CONTROL ARM & BALL JOINT under REMOVAL &
INSTALLATION. Rotate ball joint stud 4-5 times. Install Preload Attachment (49-0180-510B) to ball joint
stud. Measure ball joint preload using spring scale. See LOWER BALL JOINT PRELOAD
SPECIFICATIONS table. If preload is not as specified, replace lower ball joint.
LOWER BALL JOINT PRELOAD SPECIFICATIONS
Upper Ball Joint
Remove upper control arm. See UPPER CONTROL ARM & BALL JOINT under REMOVAL &
INSTALLATION. Rotate ball joint stud 4-5 times. Install Preload Attachment (49-0180-510B) to ball joint
stud. Measure ball joint preload using spring scale. See UPPER BALL JOINT PRELOAD
SPECIFICATIONS table. If preload is not as specified, replace upper control arm.
UPPER BALL JOINT PRELOAD SPECIFICATIONS
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
WHEEL BEARING
Removal
Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove brake caliper and ABS wheel speed sensor, and
wire aside. Remove grease cap and axle lock nut. Remove brake rotor. Remove hub and bearing assembly.
Remove wheel speed sensor rotor from hub.
Inspection
ApplicationLbs. (kg)
19971.1-3.3 (0.5-1.5)
1999 & 20000.78-4.29 (0.35-1.95)
ApplicationLbs. (kg)
19970.9-3.9 (0.4-1.8)
1999 & 20000.7-5.0 (0.3-2.3)
NOTE: Refer to illustration during removal and installation. See Fig. 1
.
NOTE: Wheel bearing is not serviceable. If bearing is defective, replace hub and
bearing assembly as a unit.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-2000 SUSPENSION Front - Miata
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:38:08 PMPage 2 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

HEATER SYSTEM
1997 Heater System
DESCRIPTION & OPERATION
Heater case, mounted under center of instrument panel, contains airflow mode doors and air-mix (temperature
blend) doors. See Fig. 1
. Blower case, mounted under right side of instrument panel, contains blower motor,
blower resistor and fresh/recirculated air door. All doors are controlled manually from control panel by cable.
Blower resistors, located on bottom of blower case, determine blower speed. WARNING:To avoid injury from accidental air bag deployment, read and follow all
SERVICE PRECAUTIONS and DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG
SYSTEM procedures in AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM article in the
ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT section.
CAUTION: When battery is disconnected, radio will go into anti-theft protection
mode. Obtain radio anti-theft protection code from owner prior to
servicing vehicle.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
HEATER SYSTEM 1997 Heater System

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
HEATER SYSTEM 1997 Heater System
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:46:56 PMPage 1 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:47:02 PMPage 1 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.