1997 MAZDA MX-5 Factory Repair Manual

1. Raise and support rear of vehicle. Remove rear wheel assemblies. If drums are installed on vehicle,
remove cover from adjusting hole at bottom of brake backing plate. Turn adjusting screw with a brake
adjusting tool until shoes drag against brake drum and lock drum.
2. When shoes are against drum, loosen adjusting screw an additional 10-12 notches so drum rotates freely.
If drum does not rotate freely, remove wheel and drum and vacuum dust and dirt from linings. Use
sandpaper and remove rust from points where shoes touch backing plate. Apply a light coating of
molybdenum grease to brake shoe-to-backing plate contact points. Install wheel and drum and adjust
shoes.
3. To adjust brakes with rear drums removed, first clean all rust and dirt on points where shoes touch
backing plate and apply a small amount of molybdenum grease to those areas. Using a brake shoe
adjustment gauge, measure inside diameter of drum braking surface.
4. Reverse tool and adjust brake shoes until they touch gauge. Gauge contact points on shoes must be
parallel to vehicle with center line through center of axle. Hold automatic adjusting lever out of
engagement while rotating adjusting screw to prevent burring screw slots. Ensure adjusting screw rotates
freely.
MX-3, MX-6, Protege & 626
Raise and support rear of vehicle. Remove rear wheel assemblies. Release parking brake. Remove brake drum.
Insert screwdriver between adjusting plate and quadrant. Twist screwdriver to disengage teeth. See Fig. 2
. Push
quadrant adjusting lever toward backing plate. Install brake drum. Operate parking brake a few times to reset
ad
juster. Adjust parking brake.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
BRAKE SYSTEM 1995-97 BRAKES Mazda - Disc & Drum
Microsoft
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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
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1. On models with rear disc brakes, depress brake pedal several times. On models with rear drum brakes,
start engine and depress brake pedal several times while vehicle is moving in reverse. Stop engine.
2. On Miata, pull parking brake lever with a force of 44 lbs. (20 kg). On all other models, pull parking brake
lever with a force of 22 lbs. (10 kg). If stroke is 7-9 notches on Miata or 5-7 notches on all others, parking
brake is properly adjusted. If stroke is not as specified, raise and support rear of vehicle. Release parking
brake lever.
3. Rotate cable adjusting nut at lever end of cable, located under console cover, until stroke is within
specification. Ensure rear brakes do not drag. Ensure parking brake warning light illuminates when brake
lever is pulled one notch.
Millenia
1. Depress brake pedal several times. Pull parking brake lever with a force of 22 lbs. (10 kg). If stroke is 3-5
notches, parking brake is properly adjusted. If stroke is not 3-5 notches, raise and support rear of vehicle.
Release parking brake lever.
2. Remove parking brake lever cover. Rotate cable adjusting nut at lever end of cable until stroke is within
specification. Ensure rear brakes do not drag. Ensure parking brake warning light illuminates when brake
lever is pulled one notch.
MPV (1995-96)
1. Depress brake pedal several times. Pull parking brake lever with a force of 22 lbs. (10 kg). If stroke is 3-6
notches, parking brake is properly adjusted. If stroke is not as specified, raise and support rear of vehicle.
Release parking brake lever.
2. Remove adjusting nut clip and rotate cable adjusting nut at lever end of cable, located under console
cover, until stroke is within specification. Ensure rear brakes do not drag. Ensure parking brake warning
light illuminates when brake lever is pulled one notch.
MPV (1997)
1. Depress brake pedal several times. Pull parking brake lever with a force of 44 lbs. (20 kg). If stroke is 6-9
notches, parking brake is properly adjusted. If stroke is not as specified, raise and support rear of vehicle.
Release parking brake lever.
2. Remove adjusting nut clip and rotate cable adjusting nut at lever end of cable, located under console
cover, until stroke is within specification. Ensure rear brakes do not drag. Ensure parking brake warning
light illuminates when brake lever is pulled one notch.
RX7
1. Depress brake pedal several times. Pull parking brake lever with a force of 22 lbs. (10 kg). If stroke is 7-
10 notches, parking brake is properly adjusted. If stroke is not 7-10 notches, raise and support rear of
vehicle. Release parking brake lever.
2. Rotate cable adjusting nut at lever end of cable, located under console cover, until stroke is within
specification. Ensure rear brakes do not drag. Ensure parking brake warning light illuminates when brake
lever is pulled one notch.

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

929
1. Depress brake pedal several times. Depress parking brake pedal several times with a force of 44 lbs. (20
kg). If stroke is 5-7 notches, parking brake is properly adjusted. If stroke is not 5-7 notches, rotate
adjusting nut, located under parking brake pedal, until stroke is within specification.
2. Ensure rear brakes do not drag. Ensure parking brake warning light illuminates when brake pedal is
depressed one notch.
BRAKE PEDAL FREE PLAY
With engine off, depress pedal a few times to eliminate vacuum. Depress brake pedal by hand and check pedal
free play. See BRAKE PEDAL FREE PLAY SPECIFICATIONS
. Adjust play by loosening push rod lock
nut. Turn push rod until correct free play is obtained. Tighten push rod lock nut to 18-25 ft. lbs. (24-34 N.m).
BRAKE PEDAL FREE PLAY SPECIFICATIONS
BRAKE PEDAL HEIGHT & STOPLIGHT SWITCH
Miata, MPV, MX-3, MX-6, RX7, 626 & 929
1. Released pedal height is measured from carpet surface on vertical portion of firewall to pedal pad center.
Disconnect stoplight switch electrical connector. Loosen lock nut on stoplight switch. Rotate switch away
from pedal. Loosen push rod lock nut. Rotate push rod until correct pedal height is obtained. See
BRAKE PEDAL HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS
.
2. Adjust pedal free play. See BRAKE PEDAL FREE PLAY
. Tighten push rod lock nut to 18-25 ft. lbs.
(24-34 N.m).
3. Rotate stoplight switch until it contacts pedal and then rotate an additional 1/2 turn. Tighten stoplight
switch lock nut 10-13 ft. lbs. (14-18 N.m). Reconnect stoplight switch electrical connector.
4. Applied pedal height is measured from angled portion of firewall (without carpet) to pedal pad center.
Start engine. Depress brake pedal with 132 lbs. (60 kg) pressure.
5. Measure applied pedal hei
ght. See BRAKE PEDAL HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS . If distance is not NOTE: On B2300, B3000 & B4000, brake pedal free play is built into pedal linkage and
is not adjustable.
ApplicationIn. (mm)
Miata, MPV & MX-3.16-.28 (4-7)
Millenia, MX-6, Protege & 626.16-.47 (4-12)
RX7.12-.31 (3-8)
929.12-.47 (8-12)
NOTE: B2300, B3000 & B4000 are equipped with dual brake master cylinder and
vacuum booster. System is designed to permit full stroke of master cylinder
when brake pedal is fully depressed. Brake pedal height 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 6 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

as specified, check for air in system, rear brake adjustment (drum brakes) or worn shoes or pads.
BRAKE PEDAL HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS
Millenia & Protege
1. Released pedal height is measured between brake pedal and stoplight switch mounting bracket. See Fig.
3 . Disconnect stoplight switch electrical connector and remove switch. Measure length "L" between
stoplight switch mounting bracket and brake pedal. See Fig. 3
. On Millenia, length should be .79-
.90" (20-23 mm). On Protege, length should be .71-.86" (18-22 mm).
2. On all models, if clearance is as specified, install stoplight switch. No adjustment is necessary. If
clearance is not as specified, loosen lock nut "B" and rotate self-locking nut "A" counterclockwise until it
does not contact brake pedal.
3. Loosen push rod lock nut and rotate push rod until correct clearance between brake pedal and stoplight
switch mounting bracket is obtained. Tighten push rod lock nut. Rotate self-locking nut "A" clockwise
until clearance between brake pedal and end of self-locking nut "A" is .004-.039 (.1-1.0 mm). See Fig. 3
.
Tighten lock nut "B".
4. Install NEW stoplight switch. Stoplight switch is automatically adjusted by pulling back on brake pedal
until stoplight switch click noise is heard. Reconnect stoplight switch electrical connector. Check
stoplight operation. Adjust pedal free play. See BRAKE PEDAL FREE PLAY
. Tighten push rod lock
nut to 18-25 ft. lbs. (24-34 N.m).
5. Applied pedal height is measured from angled portion of firewall (without carpet) to pedal pad center.
Start engine. Depress brake pedal with 132 lbs. (60 kg) pressure. On Millenia, distance should be 2.7" (70
mm). On Protege, distance should be 3.8" (95 mm). On all models, if distance is not as specified, check
ApplicationIn. (mm)
Pedal Released
Miata6.8-7.1 (171-181)
MPV7.5-7.9 (191-201)
MX-37.6-7.7 (193-196)
MX-6 & 6267.5-7.7 (191-196)
RX76.5-6.9 (165-176)
9297.4-7.7 (188-195)
Pedal Applied (1)
Miata3.7 (95)
MPV, MX-6 & 6263.3 (85)
MX-32.8 (70)
RX73.9 (100)
9291.6 (40)
(1)Minimum height.
NOTE: When adjusting brake pedal height, a NEW stoplight switch must be used.
Stoplight switch can only be adjusted one time.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
BRAKE SYSTEM 1995-97 BRAKES Mazda - Disc & Drum
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:51:02 PMPage 7 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

for air in system, rear brake adjustment (drum brakes) or worn shoes or pads.
Fig. 3: Adjusting Brake Pedal Height (Millenia Shown; Protege Is Similar)

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
TESTING
PROPORTIONING VALVE
NOTE: B2300, B3000 and B4000 are not equipped with a proportioning valve.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
BRAKE SYSTEM 1995-97 BRAKES Mazda - Disc & Drum
Microsoft
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1. Connect 2 pressure gauges and adapters to proportioning valve. One to input port and other to output port.
Bleed brake system. See BLEEDING BRAKE SYSTEM
. Depress brake pedal until pressure gauge
reads as specified and check output pressure. See PROPORTIONING VALVE PRESSURE
SPECIFICATIONS .
2. Depress brake pedal again, applying additional pressure. Recheck output pressure. See
PROPORTIONING VALVE PRESSURE SPECIFICATIONS
. If output pressure is not as specified,
replace proportioning valve.
PROPORTIONING VALVE PRESSURE SPECIFICATIONS
ApplicationInlet Pressure psi (kg/cm2 )
Outlet Pressure psi
(kg/cm
2 )
Miata
With ABS569 (40) 850 (60)526-612 (37-43) 626-740
(44-52)
Without ABS427 (30) 850 (60)384-470 (27-33) 540-654
(38-46)
Millenia430 (31) 850 (60)400-460 (28-32) 520-600
(37-42)
MPV
1995512 (36) 1422 (100)484-540 (34-38) 854-995
(60-70)
1996-97427 (30) 853 (61)370-484 (26-34) 583-697
(41-49)
MX-3
With ABS356 (25) 853 (61)328-384 (23-27) 512-598
(36-42)
Without ABS427 (30) 853 (61)399-455 (28-32) 512-598
(36-42)
MX-6 & 626
With ABS500 (35) 850 (60)470-530 (33-37) 597-683
(42-48)
Without ABS500 (35) 850 (60)470-530 (33-37) 557-643
(39-45)
Protege
With ABS356 (25) 853 (61)328-384 (23-27) 568-654
(40-46)
Without ABS 1.5L356 (25) 853 (61)328-384 (23-27) 483-569
(34-40)
Without ABS 1.8L356 (25) 853 (61)328-384 (23-27) 654-740
(46-52)
RX7570 (40) 850 (60)530-610 (37-43) 626-739
(44-52)
929427 (30) 853 (61)399-455 (28-32) 541-654

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
BRAKE SYSTEM 1995-97 BRAKES Mazda - Disc & Drum
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:51:03 PMPage 9 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

POWER BRAKE UNIT
1. With engine off, depress brake pedal several times. Press and hold brake pedal and start engine. If brake
pedal moves down slightly immediately after engine starts, power brake unit is operating. If brake pedal
does not move as specified, go to next step.
2. Run engine for 1-2 minutes. Stop engine. Press brake pedal several times and note if first pedal stroke is
longer than subsequent strokes. If first pedal stroke is longer than subsequent strokes, power brake unit is
operating. If length of strokes is equal, check valve and vacuum hose between vacuum source and power
brake unit. Repair as necessary, and go to next step.
3. Start engine. Press and hold brake pedal. Stop engine. Hold pedal down for about 30 seconds. If pedal
height remains at same height, power brake unit is operating. If pedal height recedes, check valve and
vacuum hose between vacuum source and power brake unit. Repair as necessary.
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
FRONT DISC BRAKE PADS
Removal & Installation (B2300, B3000 & B4000)
1. To prevent master cylinder overflow when caliper piston is depressed, remove and discard some brake
fluid from master cylinder reservoir. Raise and support vehicle. Remove front wheel assemblies. Place a
large "C" clamp on caliper.
2. Tighten clamp to bottom piston in cylinder bore. Remove clamp. Remove 2 caliper pin bolts. Remove
caliper from rotor and wire aside. Slide brake pads off caliper anchor plate. Remove anchor plate (if
necessary). Replace pad if lining thickness is less than specified. See MINIMUM PAD LINING
SPECIFICATIONS (FRONT) .
3. To install, reverse removal procedure. Use "C" clamp and old pad to push caliper piston into piston bore
until piston bottoms out. Bleed air from brake system (if necessary).
Removal & Installation (Miata, Millenia, MPV, MX-6, 626 & 929)
1. Raise and support front of vehicle. Remove front wheel assemblies. Remove lower lock pin/guide bolt.
See Fig. 4
, Fig. 5 or Fig. 6 . Pivot caliper upward and support using rope.
2. Remove pads, shims, guide plates or pad guides and "V" springs (if equipped). Replace pad if lining
thickness is less than specified. See MINIMUM PAD LINING SPECIFICATIONS (FRONT)
.
3. To install, reverse removal procedure. Use Disc Brake Expander (49-0221-600C) and an old pad to push
piston full
y inward to install disc pads.
(38-46)

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
BRAKE SYSTEM 1995-97 BRAKES Mazda - Disc & Drum
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:51:03 PMPage 10 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.