Mazda MX-5 Miata (1997+). Manual — part 29

Fig. 11: Exploded View Of Rear Disc Brake Assembly (Miata & Protege Shown; MX-6 & 626 Are
Similar)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

Removal & Installation (Millenia)

1. To prevent master cylinder overflow when caliper piston is depressed, remove and discard some brake

fluid from master cylinder reservoir. Raise and support rear of vehicle.

2. Remove rear wheel assemblies. Remove lower guide bolt from caliper. See Fig. 12 . Rotate caliper

upward and support using wire. Remove "V" spring. Remove pads, shims and guide plates. Replace pads
if lining thickness is less than .08" (2.0 mm).

3. To install, reverse removal procedure. Use Disc Brake Expander (49-0221-600C) and an old pad to push

piston fully inward to install disc pads.

Removal & Installation (MPV & 929)

1. Raise and support rear of vehicle. Remove rear wheel assemblies. Remove upper guide bolt from caliper.

See Fig. 12 . Rotate caliper downward and support using wire. Remove "V" spring. Remove pads, shims
and guide plates. Replace pad if lining thickness is less than .04" (1.0 mm).

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata

BRAKE SYSTEM 1995-97 BRAKES Mazda - Disc & Drum

2. To install, reverse removal procedure. Use Disc Brake Expander (49-022 1-600C) and an old pad to push

piston fully inward to install disc pads.

Fig. 12: Exploded View Of Rear Disc Brake Assembly (MPV & 929)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

Removal & Installation (MX-3)

1. Raise and support rear of vehicle. Remove rear wheel assemblies. Remove upper caliper mounting bolt.

See Fig. 13 . Rotate caliper downward. Remove "V" spring, brake pads, shims and guide plates. Replace
brake pads if pad lining thickness is less than .04" (1.0 mm).

2. To install, reverse removal procedure. Using Brake Piston Wrench (49 FA18 602), turn wrench clockwise

until piston bottoms out in brake caliper.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata

BRAKE SYSTEM 1995-97 BRAKES Mazda - Disc & Drum

Fig. 13: Exploded View Of Rear Disc Brake Assembly (MX-3)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

Removal & Installation (MX-6 & 626)

1. Raise and support rear of vehicle. Remove rear wheel assemblies. Release parking brake and disconnect

parking brake cable from caliper. Remove manual adjustment gear concealment plug from caliper. See
Fig. 11 . Insert an appropriate size Allen wrench through hole and turn manual adjustment gear
counterclockwise to retract caliper piston.

2. Remove upper guide bolt from caliper. Rotate caliper downward and support using wire. Remove "M"

springs. Remove pads, shims and guide plates. Replace pad if lining thickness is less than .04" (1.0 mm).

3. To install, reverse removal procedure. Turn manual adjustment gear clockwise until brake pads slightly

touch rotor. Turn manual adjustment gear back 1/3 turn.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata

BRAKE SYSTEM 1995-97 BRAKES Mazda - Disc & Drum

Removal & Installation (RX7)

1. Raise and support rear of vehicle. Remove rear wheel assemblies. Remove lower guide bolt from caliper.

Rotate caliper upward and support using wire. Remove "V" spring. Remove pads, shims and guide plates.
Replace pad if lining thickness is less than .04" (1.0 mm).

2. To install, reverse removal procedure. Use Disc Brake Piston Wrench (49-FA18-602) to rotate piston

clockwise to install disc pads. Ensure grooves in piston are aligned. See Fig. 14 .

Fig. 14: Aligning Brake Caliper Piston (RX7)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

REAR BRAKE CALIPER

Removal & Installation (Miata, MPV, MX-6, Protege, RX7, 626 & 929)

1. Raise and support rear of vehicle. Remove rear wheel assemblies. On all models except MPV and 929,

release parking brake and disconnect parking brake cable from caliper. On all models, disconnect brake
hose from caliper.

2. On Miata, MX-6, Protege and 626, remove manual adjustment gear concealment plug from caliper. See

Fig. 11 . Insert an appropriate size Allen wrench through hole and turn manual adjustment gear
counterclockwise to retract caliper piston.

3. On all models, remove guide bolts from caliper. Remove brake caliper from caliper mount. To install,

reverse removal procedure. Bleed air from system.

Removal & Installation (Millenia)

1. Raise and support rear of vehicle. Remove rear wheel assemblies. Disconnect brake flexhose from

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata

BRAKE SYSTEM 1995-97 BRAKES Mazda - Disc & Drum