Mazda MX-5 Miata / Grand Touring. Manual - part 46

Fig. 3: Identifying Oil Fill Level 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 

Differential oil  

Grade: API service GL-5  

Viscosity: SAE 90, SAE 80W-90, SAE 75W-90 (Not available from Mazda)  

5. Install the oil-fill plug with a new washer and tighten. 

Tightening torque  

39.2-53.9 N.m {4.00-5.49 kgf.m, 29.0-39.7 ft.lbf}  

DIFFERENTIAL OIL REPLACEMENT 

1. Park the vehicle on level ground.  

2. Remove the oil-fill plug.  

3. Remove the drain plug and drain the oil. 

 

2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring 

2008 DRIVELINE/AXLES Differential - MX-5 Miata

  

Fig. 4: Identifying Oil Fill Plug & Drain Plug 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 

4. Install the drain plug with a new washer and tighten. 

Tightening torque  

39.2-53.9 N.m  

{4.00-5.49 kgf.m, 29.0-39.7 ft.lbf}  

5. Add the specified oil through the oil-fill plug hole until the oil level reaches the lower end of the plug 

hole. 

Differential oil  

Grade: API service GL-5  

Viscosity: SAE 90, SAE 80W-90, SAE 75W-90 (Not available from Mazda)  

Capacity (approx. quantity): 0.6-0.8 L {0.63-0.85 US qt, 0.53-0.70 Imp qt}  

 

2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring 

2008 DRIVELINE/AXLES Differential - MX-5 Miata

  

Fig. 5: Identifying Oil-Fill Plug Hole & Differential Oil 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 

6. Install the oil-fill plug with a new washer and tighten. 

Tightening torque  

39.2-53.9 N.m  

{4.00-5.49 kgf.m, 29.0-39.7 ft.lbf}  

OIL SEAL (SIDE GEAR) REPLACEMENT 

1. Remove the drain plug and drain the oil.  

2. Install the drain plug with a new washer and tighten. 

Tightening torque  

39.2-53.9 N.m {4.00-5.49 kgf.m, 29.0-39.7 ft.lbf}  

3. Disconnect the rear drive shaft on the differential side. 

(See REAR DRIVE SHAFT, REAR KNUCKLE COMPONENT REMOVAL NOTE .)

 

2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring 

2008 DRIVELINE/AXLES Differential - MX-5 Miata

  

4. Remove the clip from the rear drive shaft. 

5. Remove the oil seal from the differential carrier using a flathead screwdriver.  

6. Apply differential oil to the lip of a new oil seal. 

Fig. 6: Removing Oil Seal From Differential Carrier Using Flathead Screwdriver 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 

7. Tap in the new oil seal until it reaches the differential carrier using the SSTs . 

8. After installing a new clip to the rear drive shaft, insert it into the rear differential. 

(See REAR DRIVE SHAFT, REAR KNUCKLE COMPONENT INSTALLATION NOTE .) 

9. Verify that the rear drive shaft is held securely by the clip by pulling the outer ring on the differential side 

towards the axle.  

CAUTION:



To prevent damaging the inside of the differential casing, wrap 
cloth on the end of the flathead screwdriver.  

NOTE:



Install the oil seal at a straight angle. 

 

2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring 

2008 DRIVELINE/AXLES Differential - MX-5 Miata