Mazda MX-5 Miata / Grand Touring. Manual - part 52

one of the pinion gear teeth. 

Fig. 26: View Of Dial Gauge 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 

3. Fix either one of the side gears.  

4. Move the pinion gear and measure the backlash at the pinion gear top. 



If it is not within the specification, adjust by choosing the proper washer.  

Backlash of pinion gear and side gear  

0.1 mm {0.004 in} or less  

WASHER TABLE 

ROLL PIN ASSEMBLY NOTE 

Identification mark

Part name

Thickness (mm {in})

9

MA29 27 252

0.90 {0.0354}

95

MA29 27 253

0.95 {0.0374}

0

MA29 27 254

1.00 {0.0393}

05

MA29 27 256

1.05 {0.0413}

1

MA29 27 257

1.10 {0.0433}

 

2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring 

2008 DRIVELINE/AXLES Differential - MX-5 Miata

  

1. Align the differential gear case and pinion shaft pin holes.  

2. Tap the roll pin in using a pin punch.  

RING GEAR ASSEMBLY NOTE 

1. Apply a small amount of thread-locking compound to each of points A on the back of the ring gear, and 

bolt thread areas B (around the entire ring). 

Application thickness  

Back of ring gear points A:  

Approx. 0.4 cm

3

 {0.4 cc, 0.024 cu in} (1 location approx. 0.04 cm

3

 {0.04 cc, 0.0024 cu in}) 

 

Ring gear bolt thread points B:  

Approx. 0.4 cm

3

 {0.4 cc, 0.024 cu in} (1 location approx. 0.04 cm

3

 {0.04 cc, 0.0024 cu in}) 

 

CAUTION:



The gear case and ring gear could be damaged if the ring gear is 
installed with old thread-locking compound remaining on the bolt 
threads. Before installing the ring gear, completely remove the old 
thread-locking compound from the bolt threads.  

 

2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring 

2008 DRIVELINE/AXLES Differential - MX-5 Miata

  

Fig. 27: Identifying Ring Gear Assembly
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 

2. Install the ring gear to the differential gear case and tighten the bolts in a criss-cross pattern. 

Tightening torque  

68.6-83.3 N.m  

{7.00-8.49 kgf.m, 50.6-61.4 ft.lbf}  

SIDE BEARING ASSEMBLY NOTE 

1. Press the side bearing in using the SST and a press. 

Fig. 28: Pressing Side Bearing In Using SST & Press 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

NOTE:



When assembling the side bearings, do not mix the left and right side 
bearings that were identified during disassembly.  

 

2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring 

2008 DRIVELINE/AXLES Differential - MX-5 Miata

  

OIL SEAL (SIDE GEAR) ASSEMBLY NOTE

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

2. Assemble the oil seal using the SSTs . 

Fig. 29: Assembling Oil Seal Using SSTs 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 

REAR BEARING OUTER RACE ASSEMBLY NOTE 

1. Press the rear bearing outer race into the differential carrier using the SST and a press. 

 

2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring 

2008 DRIVELINE/AXLES Differential - MX-5 Miata