Frame MAZDA MIATA 1997 Factory User Guide

Fig. 23: Aligning Marks On Inner & Outer Rotor
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
ApplicationFt. Lbs. (N.m)
Axle Shaft Nut (Protege)174-235 (235-319)
Camshaft Sprocket Bolt36-45 (49-61)
Compressor Bracket-To-Engine Bolt28-38 (38-51)
Connecting Rod Cap Nut35-37 (48-50)
Crankshaft Pulley Bolts9-13 (12-18)
Crankshaft/Timing Belt Sprocket Bolt116-123 (157-167)
Crossmember-To-Frame Bolt47-66 (63-89)
Cylinder Head Bolt (2) 56-60 (76-81)
Distributor Bolt14-19 (19-26)
Drive Shaft Bolts (Miata)37-43 (50-58)
Engine Mount Nut42-58 (57-79)
Engine Mount-To-Engine Bolt27-40 (37-54)
Engine Mount-To-Frame Nut
Miata42-57 (57-77)
Protege28-38 (38-51)
Exhaust Header Pipe-To-Exhaust

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-98 ENGINES 1.8L 4-Cylinder
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:55:15 PMPage 35 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

1997-2000 SUSPENSION
Front - Miata
DESCRIPTION
Front suspension is an independent, double wishbone design using upper and lower control arms. A spring over
shock is mounted between lower control arm and upper fender panel. Upper and lower control arms pivot at
crossmember and are connected by ball joints to steering knuckle. A stabilizer bar attaches to each lower control
arm and frame. See Fig. 1
. Upper coil over shock mount plate has been redesigned for 1999-2000. New design
incorporates a urethane bumper and improves ride and cornering.
Fig. 1: Identifying Front Suspension Components

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
ADJUSTMENTS
WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES
WHEEL BEARING ADJUSTMENT
Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove brake caliper and ABS wheel speed sensor.
Remove rotor. Attach dial indicator to axle hub, and measure bearing play. Check bearing axial play by rocking
hub assembly by hand. Maximum axial play should be .002" (.05 mm). If play exceeds specification, check and
adjust lock nut torque or replace hub and bearing assembly. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
. NOTE: Mazda did not produce 1998 Miata models.
NOTE: See SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-2000 SUSPENSION Front - Miata

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-2000 SUSPENSION Front - Miata
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:38:08 PMPage 1 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:38:12 PMPage 1 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Check for damage, excessive wear and signs of bearing seizure. Inspect steering knuckle and hub for cracks,
scoring and rust. Check for damaged dust cover and poor fit with steering knuckle. Replace components as
necessary.
Installation
To install, reverse removal procedure. Adjust wheel bearing preload. See WHEEL BEARING
ADJUSTMENT under ADJUSTMENTS. Stake axle nut.
LOWER CONTROL ARM & BALL JOINT
Removal
1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove engine splash shield (if equipped). Separate
tie rod end from steering knuckle (as necessary). Remove stabilizer bar from lower control arm.
2. Remove shock lower mounting bolt and separate lower shock from lower control arm. Remove lower
control arm ball joint cotter pin and nut. Separate lower control arm ball joint stud from knuckle using
Puller (49 T028 3A0). Remove lower control arm pivot bolts and remove lower control arm.
Inspection
Check lower control arm for damage or cracks. Check bushings for deterioration and excessive wear. Check
ball joint for excessive wear. Examine dust boot for damage. Replace components as necessary.
Bushing Replacement
Cut or press old bushing from control arm. Coat NEW bushing with paraffin-based oil. Press new bushing into
control arm.
Installation (All Models)
To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten lower control arm-to-frame bolts to specification with vehicle
resting on ground and suspension unloaded. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
.
UPPER CONTROL ARM & BALL JOINT
Removal
Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove engine splash shield. Remove wheel speed sensor
harness band. Remove shock lower mounting bolt, and separate lower shock from lower control arm. Remove
upper control arm ball joint cotter pin and nut. Separate upper control arm ball joint stud from knuckle using
Puller (49-0118-850C). Remove upper control arm pivot bolts and remove upper control arm.
Inspection
Check upper control arm for damage or cracks. Check bushings for deterioration and excessive wear. Check
ball joint for excessive wear. Examine dust boot for damage. Replace components as necessary.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-2000 SUSPENSION Front - Miata
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:38:08 PMPage 3 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

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
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:38:08 PMPage 7 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

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
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:38:08 PMPage 8 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

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
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:39:26 PMPage 10 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

vehicle through passenger side wheelwell.
5. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts and nuts to specification. See TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS table. Tighten steering gear mounting nuts in sequence: left rear, right rear, left
front, right front. Fill and bleed power steering system. Check and adjust front wheel alignment. See
SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.
Removal & Installation (MX-6 & 626)
1. Disconnect negative battery cable. 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. On 2.5L engines, remove
transverse member bolts and remove transverse crossmember. Remove front exhaust pipe and catalytic
converter assembly nuts and remove assembly.
3. On all models, support engine using Engine Support (49-G017-5A0 ), and remove engine mount. Mark
steering column intermediate shaft-to-steering column gear pinion for installation reference. Remove
steering column intermediate shaft-to-steering gear pinion shaft bolt.
4. Disconnect pressure and return line connections from steering gear. Remove steering gear mounting nuts.
Remove steering gear and linkage from vehicle through passenger's side wheelwell.
5. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
table. Tighten steering gear mounting nuts in sequence: left front, right front, right rear, left rear. Fill and
bleed power steering system. Check and adjust front wheel alignment. See SPECIFICATIONS &
PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.
Removal & Installation (RX7)
1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Raise and support front of vehicle. Remove front wheel assemblies.
Remove engine undercover. Remove cotter pins and castle nuts from tie rod ends. Using Puller Set (49-
T028-3A0 ), separate tie rod ends from steering knuckles.
2. Remove stabilizer bar-to-frame bolts and brackets. Disconnect pressure and return line connections from
steering gear. Mark steering column intermediate shaft-to-steering column gear pinion for installation
reference.
3. Remove steering column intermediate shaft-to-steering gear pinion shaft bolt. Remove steering gear
mounting bolts. Support crossmember with jack and remove crossmember nuts and bolts. Slowly lower
jack and remove steering gear and linkage from vehicle.
4. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts and nuts to specification. See TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS table. Tighten steering gear mounting bolts in sequence: left rear, right rear, left
front, right front. Fill and bleed power steering system. Check and adjust front wheel alignment. See
SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.
Removal & Installation (929)
1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Raise and support front of vehicle. Remove front wheel assemblies.
Remove engine undercover. Remove cotter pins and castle nuts from tie rod ends. Using Puller Set (49-
T028-3A0 ), separate tie rod ends from steering knuckles.
2. Disconnect pressure and return line connections from steerin
g gear. Mark steering column intermediate

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
STEERING SYSTEM - POWER RACK & PINION 1997 STEERING Mazda Power Rack & Pinion
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:39:26 PMPage 12 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Steering Bracket-To-Frame Mounting Bolt46-69 (62-94)
Steering Gear Mounting Bolts/Nuts55-69 (75-94)
Steering Rack-To-Tie Rod87-101 (118-137)
Tie Rod Castle Nuts44-58 (60-79)
Tie Rod End-To-Tie Rod Lock Nut51-58 (69-79)
Wheel Lug Nuts65-87 (88-118)
MX-3
Adjusting Cover Lock Nut(1)
Intermediate Shaft-To-Pinion Shaft Bolt13-19 (18-26)
Pinion Shaft Lock Nut29-36 (39-49)
Power Steering Pump Mounting Bolts/Nuts
Bolt27-40 (37-54)
Nut14-19 (19-26)
Pressure Line Fitting-To-Power Steering Pump
4-Cylinder12-17 (16-23)
V618-26 (24-35)
Pressure Line Fitting-To-Steering Gear
4-Cylinder21-25 (28-34)
V626-32 (35-44)
Steering Gear Mounting Bolts/Nuts27-38 (37-52)
Steering Rack-To-Tie Rod
4-Cylinder43-58 (58-79)
V691-105 (123-142)
Tie Rod Castle Nuts31-42 (42-57)
Tie Rod End-To-Tie Rod Lock Nut25-37 (34-50)
Wheel Lug Nuts65-87 (88-118)
MX-6 & 626
Adjusting Cover Lock Nut(1)
Intermediate Shaft-To-Pinion Shaft Bolt13-19 (18-26)
Power Steering Pump Mounting Bolts/Nuts23-34 (31-46)
Power Steering Pump Pulley Lock Nut36-43 (49-58)
Pressure Line Fitting-To-Power Steering Pump22-32 (30-44)
Pressure Line Fitting-To-Steering Gear25-33 (34-45)
Steering Gear Mounting Bolts/Nuts28-38 (38-51)
Steering Rack-To-Tie Rod91-105 (123-142)
Tie Rod Castle Nuts23-33 (31-45)
Tie Rod End-To-Tie Rod Lock Nut51-72 (69-98)
Wheel Lug Nuts65-87 (88-118)
Protege
Adjusting Cover Lock Nut(1)

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
STEERING SYSTEM - POWER RACK & PINION 1997 STEERING Mazda Power Rack & Pinion
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:39:27 PMPage 30 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.