1997 MAZDA MX-5 lock

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
CLUTCH 1997-98 CLUTCHES Mazda - RWD
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:36:47 PMPage 16 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

DIFFERENTIAL LUBRICATION SPECIFICATIONS
TROUBLE SHOOTING
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
FRONT DIFFERENTIAL OIL SEAL REPLACEMENT (MPV)
1. Jack up the vehicle and support it on safety stands.
2. Drain the differential oil.
3. Mark front drive shaft flange for reassembly reference. Remove drive shaft.
4. Before loosening the locknut, measure the rotation starting torque of the drive pinion (within the range of
the drive pinion and rin
g gear backlash).
Application(1) Specification
Warmer Than 0°F (-18°C)GL-5/SAE 90W
Cooler Than 0°F (-18°C)GL-5/SAE 80W
(1)Fill to lower edge of filler plug hole.
NOTE: See TROUBLE SHOOTING
article in GENERAL INFORMATION.

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 2 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Fig. 1: Measuring Rotation Starting Torque (MPV)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
5. Hold the companion flan
ge by using Flange Holder (49 S120 710), and remove the locknut.

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 3 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Fig. 4: Installing Oil Seal (MPV)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
9. Install the companion flange and tighten the locknut to get the starting torque measured in step 4 .
10. Install the drive shaft. Tighten bolts to specfiication. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
. Add
differential oil to the specified level. SeeFLUID TYPE
.
REAR AXLE SHAFTS & BEARINGS
Removal (MPV)
1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove rear wheel and tire assembly. Remove brake caliper and support
aside. Remove brake disc plate. See Fig. 5
. Using dial indicator, measure axle bearing play. Replace axle
bearing if play exceeds .023" (.57 mm).
2. Remove hold pin from parking brake shoe assembly and remove parking brake shoe assembly.
Disconnect parking brake cable. Using Flare Nut Wrench (49-0259-770B), disconnect brake pipe. Plug
brake pipe openings.
3. Remove rear axle shaft assembly-to-axle shaft housing retaining nuts. Using Puller (49-0223-630B) and
Attachment (49-8501-631A), remove rear axle shaft, backin
g plate and dust cover as an assembly from

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 6 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

axle shaft housing. Remove axle oil seal. See Fig. 5. With axle shaft removed, remove retaining ring.
Remove ABS sensor rotor.
4. To remove bearing collar, grind collar until a section about .02" (.50 mm) remains. Using chisel, cut
remaining bearing collar from axle shaft. Using Puller (49-S121-520A), remove axle bearing from axle
shaft. Remove dust shield and backing plate.
5. Using dial indicator and "V" blocks, check axle shaft for straightness. Maximum axle shaft runout
is .059" (1.50 mm). Also check axle shaft splines for wear and damage. Use a press to replace wheel studs
as necessary. DO NOT reuse wheel studs if removed.
Installation
To install, reverse removal procedure. Lubricate oil seal lip before replacement. Use Attachment (49-1011-748)
and a press to install axle bearing onto axle shaft. DO NOT lubricate bearing collar before replacement. Use
Attachment (49-1011-748) and a press to install NEW bearing collar. If press fit of collar requires less than 2.7
tons (2699 k
g) to install, replace axle shaft. Tighten nuts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS.

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 7 © 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.

lubricant. Tighten all nuts and bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS. To complete
installation, reverse removal procedure.
OVERHAUL
DIFFERENTIAL
Disassembly (Standard Type)
1. Mount carrier in Differential Carrier Hanger (49-M005-561). Mark side bearing caps for reassembly
reference. Remove adjuster lock plates (if equipped). See Fig. 10
.
2. Loosen side bearing cap bolts and slightly back off adjusters. Remove side bearing caps. Remove
differential assembly from carrier. Mark side bearing races for reassembly reference. Remove adjusters
and side bearing races from differential.
3. Remove drive pinion lock nut and washer. Remove companion flange using Puller (49-0839-425C).
Remove oil seal, spacer, front bearing and collapsible spacer from carrier. Remove drive pinion, spacer
and rear bearing assembly from carrier. Remove bearing races using a drift and hammer in slots provided
on inner lip (as necessary).
4. Remove ring gear retaining bolts. Separate ring gear from differential case. Mark side bearings for
reassembly reference. Using Puller (49-0839-425C), remove side bearings from differential case. Remove
knock pin. Remove pinion shaft, pinion
gears, thrust washers, and side gears. See Fig. 10. NOTE: Mark positions of all components before disassembly.
NOTE: Overhaul procedure for Limited Slip Differential (LSD) is not available.

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 15 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.