1997 MAZDA MX-5 brake

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
table. 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
PARKING/EMERGENCY BRAKE
1. Depress brake pedal several times. Pull parking brake lever with a force of 44 lbs. (20 kg). If stroke is 7-9
notches, parking brake is properly adjusted. If stroke is not 7-9 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.
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
WIRING DIAGRAMS
ApplicationIn. (mm)
Miata.16-.28 (4-7)
ApplicationFt. Lbs. (N.m)
Brake Caliper Mounting Bolts37-50 (50-68)
Brakeline Nuts10-16 (14-22)
Hydraulic Unit Brakeline Union Bolts18-26 (24-35)
Hydraulic Unit Mounting Bolts/Nuts14-18 (19-24)
I-Arm-To-Rear Steering Knuckle Bolt (RX7)44-54 (59-73)
Lower Control Arm-To-Rear Steering Knuckle Nut47-54 (64-73)
Push Rod Lock Nut18-25 (24-34)
Stoplight Switch Lock Nut10-13 (14-18)
Wheel Bearing Lock Nut
Front123-159 (167-216)
Rear159-217 (216-294)
Wheel Lug Nuts66-86 (89-117)
Wheel Speed Sensor Mounting Bolt12-16 (16-22)
INCH Lbs. (N.m)
ABS Control Unit Mounting Bolts/Nuts61-87 (6.9-9.8)

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM 1997 BRAKES Mazda - Anti-Lock
Microsoft
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1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM 1997 BRAKES Mazda - Anti-Lock
Microsoft
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Fig. 16: Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Wiring Diagram (1997 Miata)

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM 1997 BRAKES Mazda - Anti-Lock
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1997-2001 DRIVE AXLES
Axle Shafts - MX-5 Miata
TROUBLE SHOOTING
Inspect CV joint boot on axle shaft for cracks, damage, leaking, grease, and looseness in boot band. Inspect axle
shaft for bending, cracks, and wear of joint splines. Repair or replace as necessary.
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
AXLE SHAFTS
Removal
1. Raise vehicle and support with safety stands. Remove wheel and tire assembly. Remove axle shaft lock
nut. See Fig. 1
.
2. Remove brake caliper assembly. Remove lower control arm bolt at knuckle, and pull knuckle/hub
assembly outward. Using pry bar between differential housing and inner CV joint, remove inner CV joint
from differential. See Fig. 2
. Remove axle shaft from knuckle/hub assembly. NOTE: See DRIVE AXLE NOISE DIAGNOSIS article in GENERAL INFORMATION.
CAUTION: If vehicle is equipped with ABS, before performing following procedure,
remove ABS wheel speed sensor (axle side) and fix it to an appropriate
place where sensor will not be pulled by mistake while servicing vehicle.
NOTE: If axle shaft will not come out of rear hub support easily, install a discarded nut
onto axle shaft so that nut is flush with end of axle shaft. Tap nut with a copper
hammer to loosen axle shaft from wheel hub.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-2001 DRIVE AXLES Axle Shafts - MX-5 Miata

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-2001 DRIVE AXLES Axle Shafts - MX-5 Miata
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TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
ApplicationFt. Lbs. (N.m)
Axle Shaft Lock Nut
1997160-216 (216-294)
1999-2001174-235 (236-318)
Brake Caliper Mounting Bolt37-50 (50-68)
Lower Control Arm Bolt/Nut47-54 (64-73)
Wheel Lug Nuts66-86 (89-117)

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-2001 DRIVE AXLES Axle Shafts - MX-5 Miata
Microsoft
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BRAKE SYSTEM
1995-97 BRAKES Mazda - Disc & Drum
DESCRIPTION & OPERATION
All models use hydraulic-operated brake system with a tandem master cylinder, proportioning valve and a
power brake unit. All models are equipped with front disc brakes and either rear disc or rear drum brakes.
Rear Anti-lock System (RABS) is standard on B2300, B3000, B4000 and MPV models.
BLEEDING BRAKE SYSTEM
BRAKE LINE BLEEDING SEQUENCE
ADJUSTMENTS
MASTER CYLINDER PUSH ROD
Miata Without ABS, MPV, MX-6 M/T Without ABS & 626 M/T Without ABS
1. Place Adjustment Gauge (49-F043-001) onto master cylinder. Turn screw on adjuster gauge until it
contacts piston. Remove adjuster gauge. Apply 19.7 in. Hg to power brake unit.
2. Invert adjuster gauge and place gauge on power brake unit. Adjust push rod on power brake unit until
there is no clearance between push rod and adjuster gauge screw.
B2300, B3000 & B4000
NOTE: For information on anti-lock brake systems, see appropriate ANTI-LOCK article
in BRAKES.
NOTE: If vehicle is equipped with anti-lock brakes, see appropriate ANTI-LOCK article
for brake bleeding procedure.
ApplicationSequence
B2300, B3000 & B4000(1) RR, LR, RF, LF
All Other ModelsLongest Line First
(1)Bleed master cylinder and RABS hydraulic unit before bleeding wheel cylinders and calipers.
NOTE: Push rod has an adjustment screw to maintain correct distance between
booster push rod and master cylinder piston. If push rod is adjusted too long, it
prevents master cylinder piston from completely releasing hydraulic pressure,
causing brakes to drag. If push rod is adjusted too short, it causes excessive
pedal travel and an undesirable clunk in booster area.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
BRAKE SYSTEM 1995-97 BRAKES Mazda - Disc & Drum

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
BRAKE SYSTEM 1995-97 BRAKES Mazda - Disc & Drum
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Remove master cylinder to gain access to push rod. To check screw adjustment, fabricate a gauge. See Fig. 1.
With engine running and vacuum line connected to booster, place gauge against master cylinder mounting
surface of booster. Adjust push rod screw by turning it until end of screw just touches inner edge of gauge slot.
Fig. 1: Adjusting Brake Booster Push Rod (B2300, B3000 & B4000)

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
REAR BRAKE SHOES ADJUSTMENT
B2300, B3000 & B4000
NOTE: Rear brakes are self-adjusting and require manual adjustment only if brake
shoes have been replaced.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
BRAKE SYSTEM 1995-97 BRAKES Mazda - Disc & Drum
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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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