Mazda MX-5 Miata / Grand Touring. Manual - part 55

Fig. 37: Pressing Drive Pinion Into Rear Bearing Using SSTs & Press 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 

DRIVE PINION COMPONENT ASSEMBLY NOTE 

Drive Pinion Preload Adjustment 

1. Assemble the following parts to the drive pinion. 



New collapsible spacer  



Front bearing  



New spacer  



Companion flange  



New washer  



New locknut  

2. Turn the serrated part of the drive pinion by hand to seat the bearing.  

3. Tighten the locknut temporarily tightened in Step 1 from the lower limit of the specified tightening torque 

using the SST , and obtain the specified preload. Record the tightening torque at this time. 

Tightening torque  

NOTE:



Perform preload adjustment with the oil seal uninstalled. 

 

2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring 

2008 DRIVELINE/AXLES Differential - MX-5 Miata

  

150-380 N.m {15.3-38.7 kgf.m, 111-280 ft.lbf}

Drive pinion preload  

1.3-1.8 N.m {14-18 kgf.cm, 12-15 in.lbf}  

Fig. 38: Tighten Locknut Using SST 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 



If the specified preload cannot be obtained within the specified tightening torque, replace with a 
new collapsible spacer and adjust again.  

4. Remove the locknut, washer, and companion flange.  

OIL SEAL (COMPANION FLANGE) ASSEMBLY NOTE 

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

2. Assemble the oil seal using the SST . 

 

2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring 

2008 DRIVELINE/AXLES Differential - MX-5 Miata

  

Fig. 39: Assembling Oil Seal Using SST 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 

LOCKNUT ASSEMBLY NOTE 

1. Tighten a new locknut with the torque recorded at the drive pinion preload adjustment using the SST . 

 

2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring 

2008 DRIVELINE/AXLES Differential - MX-5 Miata

  

Fig. 40: Tightening Locknut Using SST 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 

2. Verify that the drive pinion preload is within the specification. 



If not within the specification, perform the preload adjustment again.  

Drive pinion preload  

1.3-1.8 N.m {14-18 kgf.cm, 12-15 in.lbf}

 

2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring 

2008 DRIVELINE/AXLES Differential - MX-5 Miata