1997 MAZDA MIATA Frame

Submerge other end of hose in container of brake fluid.
2. Fill reservoir with DOT 3 brake fluid. Have an assistant press and release clutch pedal several times, then
hold pedal down. With pedal pressed, loosen bleeder screw to let air and fluid escape.
3. Repeat step 2) until no more air bubbles emerge from hose. Tighten bleeder screw. Fill reservoir. Operate
clutch while inspecting for leaks. Check clutch and brake operation.
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
Removal (B2300, B2500, B3000 & B4000)
1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Shift transmission into Neutral. Remove gearshift lever. Raise and
support vehicle. Mark drive shaft flanges for installation reference. Remove drive shaft. Using Clutch
Disconnect Tool (T88T-70522-A), disconnect hydraulic line at transmission. See Fig. 2
. Plug hydraulic
line to prevent contamination. Disconnect wiring at transmission.
2. Remove starter. Remove exhaust components as necessary for clearance. On 4WD models, remove skid
plate and transfer case. On all models, secure transmission jack under transmission. Remove transmission
mount-to-crossmember nuts and bolts.
3. Remove nuts securing crossmember to frame side rails, and remove crossmember. Lower transmission
enough to gain access to transmission-to-engine block bolts. Remove transmission-to-engine block bolts.
Remove transmission.
4. If clutch parts are going to be reused, mark clutch cover and flywheel for reassembly reference. Loosen
pressure plate bolts evenly in crisscross pattern until springs are not under tension. Remove clutch cover
and clutch disc.
Inspection (B2300, B2500, B3000 & B4000)
1. Inspect disc for loose rivets, worn or defective 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.
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.
CLUTCH RUNOUT (MAXIMUM)
ApplicationIn. (mm)
Disc0.028 (0.7)
Flywheel0.008 (0.20)

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
CLUTCH 1997-98 CLUTCHES Mazda - RWD
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:36:47 PMPage 4 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Fig. 4: Exploded View Of Drive Line (Miata)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
2. Remove clutch release cylinder. Remove starter. Disconnect speedometer cable from transmission. Note
locations, and disconnect wiring harness from Power Plant Frame (PPF).
3. Remove PPF bracket from rear transmission extension housing. Remove PPF-to-differential side bolts.
Pry out spacer. Remove PPF/differential mounting spacer. See Fig. 5
.
4. Thread M14 X 1.5 bolt into sleeve. See Fig. 6
. Twist bolt side to side while pulling it downward. Thread
M6 X 1 bolt into hole in housing block to hold sleeve. Remove long bolt. Remove short bolt.
5. Remove PPF side bolts. Remove PPF. Remove transmission-to-engine block bolts. Remove transmission.
Remove clutch cover bolts evenl
y in crisscross pattern. Remove clutch cover and disc. See Fig. 7.
NOTE: Do not remove spacers attached to top of Power Plant Frame (PPF). If they
are removed, replace PPF.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
CLUTCH 1997-98 CLUTCHES Mazda - RWD
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:36:47 PMPage 6 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Fig. 5: Installing & Removing Power Plant Frame (Miata)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
CLUTCH 1997-98 CLUTCHES Mazda - RWD
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:36:47 PMPage 7 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

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
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:36:47 PMPage 10 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

See REAR AXLE SHAFTS & BEARINGS.
2. Remove ABS wheel speed sensor. Mark drive shaft and differential carrier flanges for reassembly
reference and remove drive shaft from differential 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 .
Removal (Miata)
1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel and tire assembly. Drain differential. Remove differential
mounting pipe. Remove exhaust pipe. Mark drive shaft and differential carrier flanges for reassembly
reference and remove drive shaft from differential carrier. See Fig. 7
. Disconnect speedometer cable
from transmission. Notin
g locations, disconnect wiring harness from Power Plant Frame (PPF).

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-98 DRIVE AXLES Differentials & Drive Axles - MPV & MX-5 Miata
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:52:42 PMPage 11 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Fig. 7: Exploded View Of Differential Components (Miata)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
2. Support transmission using a jack. Remove PPF bracket from rear transmission extension housing (M/T
only). Remove PPF-to-differential side bolts. Pry out spacer. Remove PPF/differential mounting spacer.
See Fig. 8
. Install bolt (M14 X 1.5) into sleeve. See Fig. 9 .
3. Twist bolt from side to side while pulling it downward. Install a metric bolt (M6 X 1) into hole in housing
block to hold sleeve and remove long bolt (M14 X 1.5). Remove short bolt (M6 X 1).
4. Remove PPF-to-transmission side bolts and remove PPF. Remove caliper assembly. Remove lower arm
bolt. Mark and disconnect CV joint axle shafts from differential assembly, and support aside.
5. Support differential assembly and remove differential-to-chassis mounting nuts. Remove differential from
vehicle. Remove drive axle output shafts from carrier. Remove differential carrier-to-housing bolts.
Remove differential carrier.
Fig. 8: View Of Power Plant Frame (PPF) Components (Miata)

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-98 DRIVE AXLES Differentials & Drive Axles - MPV & MX-5 Miata
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:52:42 PMPage 13 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

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
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:52:42 PMPage 14 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Fig. 13: Measuring Carrier Case Spread
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS (MIATA)
ApplicationFt. Lbs. (N.m)
Differential Carrier Bearings Cap Bolts28-38 (38-52)
Differential Carrier Bearings Lock Plate Bolt13-18 (18-25)
Differential Carrier-To-Housing Bolts17-19 (23-26)
Differential-To-Chassis Mount Nuts
Inner Nut61-72 (83-98)
Outer Nuts (2)13-20 (18-27)
Drive Axle Inner CV Joint Flange Nuts40-47 (54-64)
Drive Pinion Lock Nut94-209 (128-284)
Drive Shaft Companion Flange Nuts20-22 (27-30)
Exhaust Pipe Mount Nuts30-41 (40-55)
Filler Plug29-40 (39-54)
Power Plant Frame Bracket
To-Power Plant Frame Bolt (M/T)77-91 (104-123)
To-Transmission Bolts (M/T)27-40 (37-54)

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-98 DRIVE AXLES Differentials & Drive Axles - MPV & MX-5 Miata
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:52:42 PMPage 22 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.