Mazda MX-5 Miata (1997+). Manual - part 30

caliper. Remove rear brake pads. See REAR DISC BRAKE PADS . Remove remaining caliper guide 
bolt. Remove brake caliper from caliper mount. To install, reverse removal procedure. Bleed air from 
system.  

Removal & Installation (MX-3) 

1. Raise and support rear of vehicle. Remove rear wheel assemblies. Release parking brake and disconnect 

parking brake cable from caliper. Disconnect brake flexhose from caliper. See Fig. 13 .  

2. Remove upper caliper mounting bolt. Rotate caliper downward. Remove "V" spring, pads, shims and 

guide plates. Replace brake pads if pad lining thickness is less than .04" (1.0 mm).  

3. Remove lower caliper mounting bolt. Pull caliper toward center of vehicle to slide it off of caliper mount. 

To install, reverse removal procedure. Using Brake Piston Wrench (49 FA18 602), turn wrench clockwise 
until piston bottoms out in brake caliper. Bleed air from system.  

REAR BRAKE ROTOR 

Removal & Installation (Miata, Millenia, MPV, MX-3, MX-6, Protege, RX7, 626 & 929) 

1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove rear wheel assemblies. Remove rear brake caliper with brake hose 

connected. See REAR BRAKE CALIPER . Support caliper using wire. Remove rotor-to-hub screws (if 
equipped). Remove rotor.  

2. Machine rotor if lateral runout exceeds specification. Replace rotor if measured thickness is less than 

specified minimum thickness. See DISC BRAKE SPECIFICATIONS .  

3. To install, reverse removal procedure. Check end play at grease cap. On 929, if end play 

exceeds .004" (.10 mm), check lock nut torque or replace wheel bearings. On all other models, if end play 
exceeds .002" (.05 mm), check lock nut torque or replace wheel bearings.  

REAR BRAKE SHOES & WHEEL CYLINDERS 

Removal (B2300, B3000 & B4000) 

1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove rear wheel assemblies. Remove brake drum. Machine or replace drum 

as necessary if inner diameter is not as specified. See DRUM BRAKE SPECIFICATIONS .  

2. Place a wheel cylinder clamp over ends of wheel cylinder. Disengage adjusting lever from adjusting 

screw by pulling backwards on self adjuster cable. See Fig. 15 .  

3. Move outboard side of adjusting screw upward and back off pivot nut as far as possible. Pull adjusting 

lever, cable and adjusting lever spring down and toward rear to unhook pivot hook from large hole in 
secondary shoe. DO NOT pry pivot hook from hole.  

4. Remove adjusting lever spring and adjusting lever. Remove secondary shoe-to-retracting spring. Remove 

primary shoe-to-retracting spring. Unhook cable anchor and remove anchor pin plate.  

5. Note color and position of shoe hold-down springs for reassembly. Remove cable guide, shoe hold-down 

springs, brake shoes, adjusting screw, pivot nut and socket. Remove parking brake link spring and link.  

6. Disconnect parking brake cable from lever. Remove secondary shoe. Disassemble parking brake lever 

from shoe by removing retaining clip and spring washer. See Fig. 16 . Remove brake cylinder-to-shoe 
connecting links. Disconnect brake line from brake cylinder. Remove brake cylinder.  

 

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata 

BRAKE SYSTEM 1995-97 BRAKES Mazda - Disc & Drum

  

Installation 

1. To install, reverse removal procedure. Clean and sand brake shoe contact points on backing plate. Apply 

a light coating of lithium base grease to brake shoe contact points on backing plate. Lubricate adjusting 
screw, pivot nut and socket.  

2. Install primary and secondary shoes in original positions. Adjust brake shoes. See REAR BRAKE 

SHOES ADJUSTMENT . Bleed air from system.  

Fig. 15: Identifying Rear Brake Assembly Components (B2300, B3000 & B4000) 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

NOTE:

Socket end of adjusting screw assembly and adjusting lever are marked with an 
"R" or "L" for reassembly onto proper side of vehicle. Interchanging adjusting 
screw assembly and adjusting lever from one side of vehicle to other will cause 
brake shoes to retract when automatic adjuster is operated.

 

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata 

BRAKE SYSTEM 1995-97 BRAKES Mazda - Disc & Drum

  

Fig. 16: Exploded View Of Rear Drum Brake Assembly (B2300, B3000 & B4000) 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 

Removal (MX-3, MX-6, Protege & 626) 

1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove rear wheel assemblies. Remove brake drum. Machine or replace drum 

as necessary if inner diameter is not as specified. See DRUM BRAKE SPECIFICATIONS .  

2. Remove return springs, hold pins and springs, and anti-rattle spring. See Fig. 17 . Note positions of 

primary and secondary shoes and remove brake shoes. Minimum brake shoe lining thickness is .04" (1.0 
mm).  

3. Remove stopper spring and clip (if equipped), and return spring. Release parking brake and disconnect 

parking brake cable. Remove operating lever assembly. Using Flare Nut Wrench (49-0259-770B), 
disconnect brake line from wheel cylinder. Remove wheel cylinder.  

Installation 

1. To install, reverse removal procedure. Apply lithium base grease to wheel cylinder and anchor sliding 

parts, adjuster threads and shoe contact points on backing plate. 

 

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata 

BRAKE SYSTEM 1995-97 BRAKES Mazda - Disc & Drum

  

2. Install primary and secondary shoes in original positions (secondary shoe is longer). Adjust brake shoes. 

See REAR BRAKE SHOES ADJUSTMENT . Bleed air from system.  

Fig. 17: Exploded View Of Rear Drum Brake Assembly (MX-3 & Protege Shown; MX-6 & 626 Are 
Similar) 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 

PARKING BRAKE SHOES 

Removal (Millenia, MPV & 929) 

Raise and support vehicle. Remove rear wheel assemblies. Remove service plug. See Fig. 18 . Remove brake 
caliper with brake hose connected. Support caliper using wire. Remove brake rotor. Remove return springs, 

 

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata 

BRAKE SYSTEM 1995-97 BRAKES Mazda - Disc & Drum