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Fig. 7: Exploded View Of Clutch Assembly (Typical) 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 
Inspection (Miata) 
1. Inspect disc for loose rivets, worn springs, excessive wear, or oil contamination. Inspect flywheel and 
clutch cover for burns, scoring, or grooves.  
2. Measure flywheel and clutch cover runout. Resurface or replace flywheel and clutch cover if beyond 
specification. See CLUTCH RUNOUT (MAXIMUM)
 table. If flywheel ring gear is replaced, ensure 
chamfer on flywheel teeth faces engine.  
3. Measure clutch disc runout. Replace disc if it is not to specification. See CLUTCH RUNOUT 
(MAXIMUM) table. Inspect disc hub and input shaft splines for excessive wear. Hub must slide 
smoothly on input shaft splines.  
4. Inspect pilot bearing for wear. Apply inward pressure while rotating pilot bearing. If bearing sticks or has 
excessive resistance, replace bearing. Check for tight fit in crankshaft. Replace as necessary. Inspect 
release bearing for smooth operation, wear, damage, or looseness. Replace bearing as necessary. 
 
1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata 
CLUTCH 1997-98 CLUTCHES Mazda - RWD  
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Installation (Miata) 
1. Lightly coat input shaft splines, release bearing, and fork contact areas with molybdenum disulfide 
grease. Align clutch cover dowel holes with flywheel dowels. Tighten clutch cover bolts evenly in a 
crisscross pattern to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
 .  
2. Place a wooden block on jack, and position jack under front of oil pan. Raise front of engine to ease 
transmission installation. Install transmission. Tighten transmission-to-engine block bolts to specification. 
See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
 . Place jack (from front of engine) under transmission.  
3. Raise transmission until level with engine. Position Power Plant Frame (PPF) in place. Install 
PPF/differential mounting spacer, and tighten bolts to 27-38 ft. lbs. (37-51 N.m). Install and tighten PPF 
side mounting bolts. 
4. Install sleeve into PPF housing block. Install spacer and bolts. Install reamer bolt into front hole, and 
tighten bolt. See Fig. 5
 .  
5. Install transmission-to-PPF bracket. Install remaining PPF bolts, and tighten to specification. See 
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
 . To complete installation, reverse removal procedure.  
RELEASE BEARING & FORK 
Removal (B2300, B2500, B3000 & B4000) 
With transmission removed, twist release bearing and carrier assembly until preload spring pushes bearing 
assembly from slave cylinder. See Fig. 8
 . 
Installation 
Lubricate bearing bore and bearing carrier with NIGI No. 2 (lithium base) grease. Push release bearing 
assembl
y onto clutch slave cylinder.  NOTE: Front PPF-to-differential side mounting bolt is the reamer bolt, used to 
align frame.
NOTE: Use only lithium base grease on release bearing. DO NOT use petroleum base 
lubricants.
 
1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata 
CLUTCH 1997-98 CLUTCHES Mazda - RWD  
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Fig. 11: Exploded View Of Clutch Release Cylinder (Miata) 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS 
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS  NOTE: Use exploded view of clutch release cylinder for overhaul procedure. See Fig. 
11 .
ApplicationFt. Lbs. (N.m)
B2300, B2500, B3000 & B4000
Clutch Cover Bolts (1) 17-24 (23-32)
Crossmember Nuts39-53 (53-72)
Drive Shaft Bolts65-87 (88-119)
Flywheel-To-Crankshaft Nuts54-67 (73-91)
Gearshift Lever Bolt20-30 (27-40)
Starter Mounting Bolts17-20 (23-27)
Transfer Case Bolts (4WD) (2) 35-46 (47-62)
Transmission-To-Engine Block Bolts37-50 (50-68)
Miata
Clutch Cover Bolts (1) 13-19 (18-26)
Drive Shaft Nuts37-43 (50-58)
Flywheel-To-Crankshaft Bolts71-76 (96-103)
PPF-To-Differential Mounting Spacer Bolt (Short)27-38 (37-51)
PPF-To-Differential Side Mounting Bolts (Long)77-91 (104-123)
PPF-To-PPF Bracket Bolt27-40 (37-54)
 
1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata 
CLUTCH 1997-98 CLUTCHES Mazda - RWD  
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PPF-To-Transmission Side Mounting Bolts (Long)77-91 (104-123)
Starter Mounting Bolts28-38 (38-51)
Transmission-To-Engine Block Bolts48-65 (64-89)
Transmission-To-PPF Bracket Bolts27-40 (37-54)
(1)Tighten in a crisscross pattern.
(2)Tighten in sequence. See Fig. 3 .
 
1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata 
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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  
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Manual Transmission 
Place transmission in Neutral position.  
Ensure emergency brake has been set and all accessories are turned off.  
Start engine and bring to normal operating temperature.  
Allow vehicle to idle in Neutral for one minute.  
Initial relearn is complete, and process will be completed during normal driving.  
 
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Fig. 5: Exploded View Of Rear Axle Shaft (MPV)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 
DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY 
Removal (Front MPV 4WD) 
1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove engine skid plate. See Fig. 6 . Drain front differential fluid. Remove 
tie rod ends and lower control arms. Remove front axle shafts. See AXLE SHAFTS 
- FRONT article.  
2. Mark drive shaft and differential carrier flanges for reassembly reference, and remove drive shaft from 
differential carrier. See Fig. 6
 . Disconnect Automatic Free Wheel (AFW) vacuum hoses and electrical 
connector.  
3. Place floor jack under differential assembly. Remove differential-to-chassis mounting bolts and AFW 
extension housing mounting nuts. Remove differential and AFW extension housing from vehicle. 
Remove AFW assembly from left side of differential housing. Pull drive coupler from carrier. Remove 
differential carrier-to-housing bolts. Remove differential carrier.  
Installation 
To install, reverse removal procedure. Apply sealant to carrier mating flange. Align marks made during 
removal. Refill differential with lubricant. Tighten all nuts and bolts to specification. See TORQUE 
SPECIFICATIONS. 
 
1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata 
1997-98 DRIVE AXLES Differentials & Drive Axles - MPV & MX-5 Miata  
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Fig. 9: Removing Reamer Bolt Sleeve (Miata) 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 
Installation 
1. To install, reverse removal procedure. Apply sealant to carrier mating flange. Align marks made during 
removal and install axle shafts. Install differential. Raise transmission until engine and transmission are 
level.  
2. Position Power Plant Frame (PPF) in place. Install PPF/differential mounting spacer. Tighten bolts to 27-
38 ft. lbs. (37-52 N.m). Install and tighten PPF-to-transmission side mounting bolts.  
3. Ensure sleeve is installed into PPF housing block. Install spacer and bolts. Ensure reamer bolt is installed 
into front hole and tighten bolt. See Fig. 8
 . 
4. Install transmission-to-PPF bracket (M/T only). Install remaining PPF bolts. Refill differential with 
NOTE: Front PPF-to-differential side mounting bolt is reamer bolt which aligns 
PPF. See Fig. 8
 .
 
1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata 
1997-98 DRIVE AXLES Differentials & Drive Axles - MPV & MX-5 Miata  
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