Mazda MX-5 Miata (1997+). Manual - part 73

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 

Application

Lbs. (kg)

1997

1.1-3.3 (0.5-1.5)

1999 & 2000

0.78-4.29 (0.35-1.95)

Application

Lbs. (kg)

1997

0.9-3.9 (0.4-1.8)

1999 & 2000

0.7-5.0 (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

  

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

  

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 upper control arm pivot bolts to specification with vehicle 
resting on ground and suspension unloaded. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . 

SHOCK ASSEMBLY 

Removal (1997) 

Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove engine splash shield. Remove wheel speed sensor 
harness band. Remove stabilizer link bolt. Remove upper control arm ball joint cotter pin and nut. Separate 
upper control arm ball joint stud from knuckle using Puller (49-0118-850C). Loosen lower control arm pivot 
bolts. Remove shock upper mount nuts and lower bolt. Move lower control arm just enough to remove shock 
assembly. DO NOT damage brake line. 

Removal (1999 & 2000) 

Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove engine splash shield. Remove wheel speed sensor. 
Remove stabilizer link bolt. Separate lower control arm ball joint stud from knuckle using Puller (49-T028-
3A0). Loosen lower control arm pivot bolts. Inside engine compartment, on 1999 models, remove strut bar. See 
FRONT STRUT BAR (1999) . On 2000 models, remove shock upper mount nuts. On all models, under car, 
remove lower bolt. Move lower control arm just enough to remove shock assembly. DO NOT damage brake 
line. 

Disassembly 

Clamp upper shock mount in vise. Loosen piston lock nut 2 turns only. Compress coil spring using coil spring 
compressor. Remove piston lock nut. Slowly release compressor tension. Remove components. Remove coil 
spring. Remove shock from vise. 

Inspection 

Check shock tube for damage, oil leakage and abnormal noise. Check rubber components for deterioration or 
damage. Inspect coil spring for signs of fatigue or damage. Replace components as necessary. 

Reassembly (1997) 

Clamp shock in vise. Install coil spring and components in reverse order of disassembly. Ensure coil spring is 
well seated in upper and lower spring seats. See Fig. 2 . Tighten piston rod nut. See TORQUE 
SPECIFICATIONS . 

 

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata 

1997-2000 SUSPENSION Front - Miata

  

Fig. 2: Cross-Sectional View Of Upper Coil Over Shock Assembly (1997) 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 

Reassembly (1999 & 2000) 

Clamp shock in vise. Install spring and upper spring retainer in original orientation to shock. Tighten lower 
piston rod nut so that exposed thread of piston rod is 0.62-0.69" (15.7-17.7mm). See Fig. 3 . Tighten upper nut 
to 12-17 ft. lbs. (16-23 N.m). 

CAUTION: Using air tool will damage piston rod thread. DO NOT use air tool.

 

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata 

1997-2000 SUSPENSION Front - Miata