ABS MAZDA MX-5 1997 Factory Owner's Guide

MOTORS
MOTORS
SENDING UNITS & SENSORS
SENDING UNITS & SENSORS
Key Interlock UnitBehind left side of dash. See Fig. 2 .
SAS UnitBehind center of dash. See Fig. 2 .
Transmission Control Module (TCM)Under left side of dash, near fuse block. See Fig. 2 .
ComponentComponent Location
Blower MotorUnder right side of dash. See Fig. 2 .
Condenser Fan MotorIn front of engine compartment.
Cooling Fan MotorIn front of engine compartment.
Cruise Control ActuatorOn left side of engine compartment.
Fuel PumpIn fuel tank.
Power Antenna MotorIn right front of trunk.
Retractable Headlamp ActuatorsBehind respective headlamp.
Shift Lock ActuatorUnder center console, on base of gear selector.
Windshield Washer MotorOn bottom of washer fluid reservoir.
Windshield Wiper MotorOn right side of firewall.
ComponentComponent Location
ABS Wheel Speed Sensor (Left Front)On back of left front wheel spindle assembly. See Fig. 1 .
ABS Wheel Speed Sensor (Left Rear)On back of left rear wheel hub assembly. See Fig. 3 .
ABS Wheel Speed Sensor (Right Front)On back of right front wheel spindle assembly. See Fig. 1 .
ABS Wheel Speed Sensor (Right Rear)On back of right rear wheel hub assembly. See Fig. 3 .
Brake Fluid Level SensorIn brake fluid reservoir. See Fig. 1 .
Camshaft Position SensorIn center rear of engine compartment. See Fig. 1 .
Crankshaft Position SensorOn front of engine.
EGR Boost SensorOn right side of engine compartment.
EGR Valve Position SensorOn right side center, rear of engine compartment.
EGR Valve Position SensorOn right side center, rear of engine compartment. See Fig. 1 .
Engine Coolant Temperature SensorOn rear of engine. See Fig. 1 .
Fuel Gauge Sender UnitIn fuel tank.
Heated Oxygen Sensor (Front)In rear of engine compartment. See Fig. 1 .
Heated Oxygen Sensor (Rear)On underside of vehicle, on exhaust pipe.
Input/Turbine Speed SensorOn left side of transmission.
Mass Air Flow SensorOn top of air filter housing. See Fig. 1 .
Throttle Position (TP) SensorOn side of throttle body. See Fig. 1 .
Transmission Fluid Temperature SensorOn left side of transmission.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997 MAZDA MX-5 Miata
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:54:00 PMPage 2 © 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.

INSPECTION
BALL JOINT CHECKING
Lower Ball Joint
Remove lower control arm. See LOWER CONTROL ARM & BALL JOINT under REMOVAL &
INSTALLATION. Rotate ball joint stud 4-5 times. Install Preload Attachment (49-0180-510B) to ball joint
stud. Measure ball joint preload using spring scale. See LOWER BALL JOINT PRELOAD
SPECIFICATIONS table. If preload is not as specified, replace lower ball joint.
LOWER BALL JOINT PRELOAD SPECIFICATIONS
Upper Ball Joint
Remove upper control arm. See UPPER CONTROL ARM & BALL JOINT under REMOVAL &
INSTALLATION. Rotate ball joint stud 4-5 times. Install Preload Attachment (49-0180-510B) to ball joint
stud. Measure ball joint preload using spring scale. See UPPER BALL JOINT PRELOAD
SPECIFICATIONS table. If preload is not as specified, replace upper control arm.
UPPER BALL JOINT PRELOAD SPECIFICATIONS
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
WHEEL BEARING
Removal
Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove brake caliper and ABS wheel speed sensor, and
wire aside. Remove grease cap and axle lock nut. Remove brake rotor. Remove hub and bearing assembly.
Remove wheel speed sensor rotor from hub.
Inspection
ApplicationLbs. (kg)
19971.1-3.3 (0.5-1.5)
1999 & 20000.78-4.29 (0.35-1.95)
ApplicationLbs. (kg)
19970.9-3.9 (0.4-1.8)
1999 & 20000.7-5.0 (0.3-2.3)
NOTE: Refer to illustration during removal and installation. See Fig. 1
.
NOTE: Wheel bearing is not serviceable. If bearing is defective, replace hub and
bearing assembly as a unit.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-2000 SUSPENSION Front - Miata
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:38:08 PMPage 2 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

water when cleaning the horn pad. Solvents or cleaners could adversely affect the air bag cover and cause
improper deployment of the system.
AIR CONDITIONING SERVICING
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
On models equipped with anti-lock brake systems, ALWAYS observe the following cautions:
DO NOT attempt to bleed hydraulic system without first referring to the appropriate ANTI-LOCK
BRAKE SYSTEM article in the BRAKES Section.
DO NOT mix tire sizes. As long as tires remain close to the original diameter, increasing the width is
acceptable. Rolling diameter must be identical for all 4 tires. Some manufacturers recommend tires of the
same brand, style and type. Failure to follow this precaution may cause inaccurate wheel speed readings.
Use ONLY recommended brake fluids. DO NOT use silicone brake fluids in an ABS-equipped vehicle.
BATTERY WARNING WARNING:To avoid injury from accidental air bag deployment, read and carefully
follow all warnings and service precautions. See appropriate AIR BAG
RESTRAINT SYSTEM article in ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT.
CAUTION: Disconnect negative battery cable before servicing any air bag system,
steering column or passenger side dash component. After any repair, turn
ignition key to the ON position from passenger's side of vehicle in case of
accidental air bag inflation
CAUTION: Avoid breathing R-134a refrigerant and PAG lubricant vapors, exposure
may irritate eyes, nose and throat. To remove R-134a from system use R-
134a recycling equipment that meets SAE J2210 specifications. If
accidental system discharge occurs, ventilate work area before resuming
service.
WARNING:R-134a service equipment or vehicle A/C systems SHOULD NOT be
pressure tested or leak tested with compressed air. Some mixtures of
air/R134a have shown to be combustible at elevated pressures. These
mixtures are dangerous and may cause fire and/or explosions. See AIR
CONDITIONING SERVICE article in GENERAL INFORMATION section.
CAUTION: The anti-lock brake system contains electronic equipment that can be
susceptible to interference caused by improperly installed or high output
radio transmitting equipment. Since this interference could cause the
possible loss of the anti-lock braking capability, such equipment should
be installed by qualified professionals.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
MAINTENANCE INFORMATION 1997 MAINTENANCE Mazda Maintenance Information
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:41:19 PMPage 5 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

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
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:38:49 PMPage 1 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:38:53 PMPage 1 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
ApplicationFt. Lbs. (N.m)
ABS Speed Sensor Harness & Bracket Bolts12-16 (16-22)
Caliper Assembly-To-Knuckle Bolt37-50 (50-68)
Drive Axle Lock Nut
1997160-216 (216-294)
1999 & 2000174-235 (236-318)
Lower Arm-To-Crossmember Nuts54-70 (73-95)
Lower Arm-To-Knuckle Nut46-55 (63-75)
Shock Piston Rod Nut
199722-27 (30-37)
Shock-To-Body Nuts22-26 (30-35)
Stabilizer Bar Bracket Bolts15-20 (20-28)
Stabilizer Link Bolts
199727-39 (37-53)
1999 & 200032-44 (44-60)
Strut-To-Lower Arm Bolt54-68 (73-93)
Upper Arm-To-Crossmember Nuts
199734-49 (47-66)
1999 & 200040-56 (54-76)
Upper Arm-To-Knuckle Bolt
199734-49 (47-66)
1999 & 200040-56 (54-76)
Wheel Lug Nuts66-86 (89-117)

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997, 1999-2000 SUSPENSION Rear - Miata
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:38:49 PMPage 8 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.