1997 MAZDA MX-5 air suspension

Installation
To install, reverse removal procedure. Fully tighten all bolts with vehicle resting on ground and suspension
unloaded. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
. Check front wheel alignment. See SPECIFICATIONS &
PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.
STABILIZER BAR
Removal & Installation
Raise and support vehicle. Remove engine splash shield. Remove frame brackets and bushings. Remove
stabilizer control links. Align bushing with installation mark on stabilizer. Reverse removable procedure for
installation. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
.
FRONT STRUT BAR (1999)
Removal & Installation
1. To remove strut bar located in engine compartment mounted on top of shock towers, loosen lock nuts on
joint bolt and loosen joint bolt. Remove nut, washer and bolt retaining strut bar to strut plate. Remove
strut bar from vehicle.
2. To install, reverse removal procedure. Rotate joint bolt counterclockwise to 3.5-5.2 INCH lbs. (.4-.6 N.m)
to set tension. Tighten lock nuts to 87-121 INCH lbs. (10-14 N.m). Tighten strut bar-to-strut plate nut.
See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
.
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
ApplicationFt. Lbs. (N.m)
Axle Lock Nut123-159 (167-215)
Brake Caliper Bracket Bolts37-50 (50-68)
Lower Ball Joint-To-Knuckle Nut42-57 (57-77)
Lower Ball Joint-To-Lower Control
199754-69 (73-94)
1999 & 2000
Bolt & Nut69-86 (94-117)
Bolt54-69 (73-94)
Lower Control Arm-To-Frame
1997
Front Adjusting Bolt Lock Nut69-83 (94-112)
Rear Adjusting Bolt Lock Nut62-75 (84-102)
1999 & 200069-83 (94-112)
Shock Assembly-To-Lower Control Arm Bolt/Nut
199754-68 (73-93)

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-2000 SUSPENSION Front - Miata
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1999 & 200069-86 (94-117)
Shock Piston Rod Nut
199724-33 (32-46)
Shock Upper Mount Nuts22-26 (30-36)
Stabilizer Bar Bracket-To-Frame Bolts14-19 (19-26)
Stabilizer Link Bolts
199727-39 (37-53)
1999 & 200032-44 (43-60)
Tie Rod-To-Knuckle Nut
199722-32 (30-43)
1999 & 200032-41 (43-56)
Upper Ball Joint-To-Knuckle Nut31-44 (42-60)
Upper Control Arm Pivot Bolt/Nut87-101 (118-137)
Wheel Lug Nuts66-86 (89-117)
Wheel Speed Sensor Bolt
199712-16 (16-22)
1999 & 200014-18 (19-25)

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-2000 SUSPENSION Front - Miata
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frame mounting bolts. Remove steering gear and linkage from vehicle. On MPV, remove steering gear
bracket-to-frame mounting bolts. Remove steering gear and linkage with steering bracket from vehicle.
Remove 4 steering gear-to-bracket bolts and separate gear from bracket.
4. On all models, to install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts to specification. See TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS table. On MPV, tighten steering gear-to-bracket bolts in sequence: left front, right
front, left rear, right rear. On all models, fill and bleed power steering system. Check and adjust front
wheel alignment. See SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.
Removal & Installation (Millenia)
1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Support engine using Engine Support (49-G017-5A0 ). Raise and
support front of vehicle. Remove front wheel assemblies. Remove cotter pins and castle nuts from tie rod
ends.
2. Using Puller Set (49-T028-3A0 ), separate tie rod ends from steering knuckles. Remove transverse
member bolts and remove transverse member. See Fig. 6
Disconnect pressure and return line connections
from steering gear. Remove intermediate shaft pinch bolt.
3. Reference mark lower steering column-to-intermediate shaft. Remove engine mount member. Remove
No. 1 engine mount bolts. Remove upper lateral link bolt and separate upper lateral link from
crossmember. Remove lower control arm-to-crossmember mounting bolt and gusset. Separate lower
control arm from crossmember.
4. Remove stabilizer link-to-lower control arm nut. Separate stabilizer link from lower control arm. Using a
jack, support front suspension crossmember. Remove crossmember retaining nuts. Carefully lower
crossmember. Disconnect stabilizer link from stabilizer bar. Remove stabilizer bar brackets, bushings and
stabilizer bar. Remove steering gear mounting nuts. Remove steering gear assembly.
5. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
table. Tighten steering gear mounting nuts in sequence: right front, left rear, right rear, left front. Fill and
bleed power steering system. Check and adjust front wheel alignment. See SPECIFICATIONS &
PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
STEERING SYSTEM - POWER RACK & PINION 1997 STEERING Mazda Power Rack & Pinion
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1997, 1999-2000 SUSPENSION
Rear - Miata
DESCRIPTION
Rear suspension consists of spring over shock, crossmember, upper and lower arms, and stabilizer bar with
control link. Upper and lower arms attach to crossmember and knuckle. A stabilizer bar with control link is
mounted to lower arm and crossmember. Rear wheel alignment is adjusted by turning adjusting cams on lower
arm. Upper coil over shock mount plate has been redesigned for 1999-2000. New design incorporates a
urethane bumper and improves ride and cornering.
ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION
WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES
WHEEL BEARING ADJUSTMENT
Raise and support vehicle. Remove rear wheel assembly. Remove caliper assembly and ABS wheel speed
sensor. Remove brake rotor. Attach dial indicator to axle hub and measure bearing play. Check bearing axial
play by rocking hub assembly by hand. Maximum bearing play is .002" (.05 mm). If play exceeds specification,
check drive axle lock nut torque or replace wheel bearing. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
.
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
WHEEL BEARING
Removal
1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove rear wheel assembly. Remove drive axle lock nut. Remove brake
caliper assembly and ABS wheel speed sensor, and wire aside. Remove screws and rotor. Remove ABS
speed sensor bracket. Remove knuckle assembly from upper and lower arms.
2. Using Handle (49-G030-102), Installer (49-G030-727) and Puller (49-F026-103), remove hub from
knuckle. Remove snap ring from knuckle. Using handle, installer and Puller (49-0636-145), remove
wheel bearing inner race from hub. Remove wheel bearing outer race from knuckle using Handle (49-
G030-797), Puller (49-F026-103) and Adapter (49-F027-005).
Inspection
Check wheel hub and knuckle for cracks and damage. Check dust cover for deformation. Check bearing for
excessive wear or seizure. Replace components as necessary.
Installation
NOTE: See SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997, 1999-2000 SUSPENSION Rear - Miata

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997, 1999-2000 SUSPENSION Rear - Miata
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Press new wheel bearing into knuckle using Handle (49-G030-797), Installer (49-F027-007) and Adapter (49-
F027-009). Press hub into knuckle using adapter. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten drive axle lock
nut to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
. Stake drive axle lock nut. Check axial play. See
WHEEL BEARING ADJUSTMENT
.
SHOCK ASSEMBLY
Removal & Disassembly
1. Raise vehicle and remove fuel tank filler pipe protector (1997). Remove rear wheel assembly. Remove
stabilizer bar nut and bolt from lower control arm. Remove 2 upper shock mount-to-body nuts. Remove
lower shock bolt. Lower arms, and remove shock assembly.
2. Clamp shock securely in soft-jaw vise. Compress coil spring. Remove lock nut and washer. Remove
remaining components and note order for reassembly.
Inspection
Check shock for leaks or abnormal noise. Inspect components for wear or damage. Check for loose installation
of bolts and nuts. Replace components as necessary.
Reassembly (1997)
To reassemble, reverse disassembly procedure. To install, reverse removal procedure. Ensure coil spring is
seated in upper and lower seats. See Fig. 1
. Tighten piston rod nut. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS. CAUTION: DO NOT lower arms excessively. This may damage brake hose.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997, 1999-2000 SUSPENSION Rear - Miata
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Fig. 1: Cross-Sectional View Of Upper Coil Over Shock Assembly (1997)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Reassembly (1999 & 2000)
Clamp shock in vise. Install spring and upper spring retainer in original orientation to shock. Tighten lower
piston rod nut so that exposed thread of piston rod is 0.62-0.69" (15.7-17.7mm). See Fig. 2 . Tighten upper nut
to 12-17 ft. lbs. (16-23 N.m).
CAUTION: Using air tool will damage piston rod thread. DO NOT use air tool.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997, 1999-2000 SUSPENSION Rear - Miata
Microsoft
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Fig. 2: Cross-Sectional View Of Upper Coil Over Shock Assembly (1999-2000)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997, 1999-2000 SUSPENSION Rear - Miata
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:38:49 PMPage 4 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Installation
Reinstall shock in reverse order. Tighten nuts and bolts to specification with vehicle resting on ground and
suspension unloaded. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
. Check rear wheel alignment. See
SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.
LOWER ARM
Removal
Raise and support vehicle. Remove rear wheel assembly. Remove stabilizer bar control link nut and bolt. See
Fig. 3
. Remove lower shock bolt. Remove lower arm-to-crossmember bolts. Remove lower arm-to-knuckle
bolts. Remove lower arm. Inspect arm for damage, cracks and deformation. Check for damaged or worn
bushings.
Installation
To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten all nuts/bolts to specification with vehicle resting on ground and
suspension unloaded. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
. Adjust rear wheel alignment. See
SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997, 1999-2000 SUSPENSION Rear - Miata
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:38:49 PMPage 5 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.