Mazda MX-5 Miata / Grand Touring. Manual - part 104

Fig. 6: Aligning Mark On Upper Spring Seat With Dust Boot Projection 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 

2. Install the upper spring seat so that the upper spring seat stud is at a 27°-33° angle to the shock absorber 

installation shaft (lower side). 

 

2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring 

2008 SUSPENSION Front Suspension - MX-5 Miata

  

Fig. 7: Identifying Upper Spring Seat Stud Angle 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 

FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER INSPECTION 

1. Remove the front shock absorber.  

2. Inspect for damage and oil leakage.  

3. Compress and extend the shock absorber piston rod at least three times at a steady speed. From the fourth 

compression stroke, verify that the operational force does not change and that there is no unusual noise. 



If there is any malfunction, replace the shock absorber.  

FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER DISPOSAL 

1. Clamp the shock absorber on a flat surface.  

2. Drill a 2-3 mm {0.08-0.12 in} hole at a point 25 mm {0.98 in} from the bottom of the tube, so that the gas 

can escape.  

3. Turn the hole downwards.  

4. The oil can be collected by moving the piston rod several times up and down and cutting the tube at the 

end.  

5. Dispose of waste oil according to local waste disposal law. 

WARNING:



Whenever drilling into a shock absorber, wear protective eye wear. 
The gas in the shock absorber is pressurized, and could spray metal 
chips into the eyes and face when drilling.  

 

2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring 

2008 SUSPENSION Front Suspension - MX-5 Miata

  

Fig. 8: Drilling Hole From Bottom Of Tube 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 

FRONT LOWER ARM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION 

1. Remove in the order indicated in Fig. 9 .  

2. Install in the reverse order of removal. 

NOTE:



Shock absorber gas contains nitrogen gas. 



Shock absorber oil contains mineral oil.  

CAUTION:



Performing the following procedures without first removing the ABS 
wheel-speed sensor may possibly cause an open circuit in the wiring 
harness if it is pulled by mistake. Before performing the following 
procedures, remove the ABS wheel-speed sensor (axle side) and fix 
it to an appropriate place where the sensor will not be pulled while 
servicing the vehicle.  

 

2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring 

2008 SUSPENSION Front Suspension - MX-5 Miata

  

Fig. 9: Identifying Front Lower Arm Components (With Torque Specifications) 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 

CALIPER AND MOUNTING SUPPORT REMOVAL NOTE 

1. Remove the caliper and mounting support from the steering knuckle and suspend it with a cable in a 

location out of the way.  

FRONT LOWER ARM BALL JOINT REMOVAL NOTE 

1. Disconnect the front lower arm ball joint from the steering knuckle using the SST . 

NOTE:



When removing the front lower arm ball joint, the steering knuckle 

 

2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring 

2008 SUSPENSION Front Suspension - MX-5 Miata