Camshaft Torque Specifications for a Mazda MX5 Engine

The Mazda MX-5, also known as the Miata, is a rear-wheel-drive Japanese sports car that has been available in the United States since 1990 and is still available today. The car features a 16-valve engine with a dual overhead camshaft and a timing belt.

Cam Cover Bolts
The camshaft cover bolts on the Mazda Miata require 43 to 78 inch-pounds of torque. In addition, to ensure that the cam cover does not leak, care should be taken to tighten the cam cover bolts in a specific order, as described in the following section.
Camshaft Bearing Bolts
The camshafts are secured to the head of the Miata's engine with 20 cam bolts. The camshaft bearing cap bolts require a final torque rating of 100 to 125 foot-pounds of torque. It is critical that the camshaft cap bolts be loosened or tightened in stages, in a specific order -- start in the middle of the engine and work in a spiral pattern toward the outside of the engine.
Maintain Camshaft Bearing Cap Position
In addition to the specific torque rating, it is advisable to record the location for each camshaft cap bearing and re-install each cap into its original position. The reason for this is that over time and because of engine wear, minor variances may develop in each cap. Read More »»

Replace Rear Pads on a Mazda

Replace the rear brakes on the Mazda is not difficult. Disc brakes work by using friction between the brake pads and rotors. Friction wears down the brake pads, and you will have to replace them periodically. Brake pad wear is relative to the amount of use the brakes get. You want to make sure that you inspect the rotors when you change the brake pads. If the rotors are bad, you will need to replace them, or they will only damage your new brake pads.

Procedures:
1. Park the Mazda on a level, paved surface and turn off the engine. Open the engine compartment and siphon about ½ of the brake fluid from the master cylinder with a turkey baster. Put the fluid in a drain pan for recycling. Place wheel chocks in front of the front wheels. Raise the Mazda with the automobile jack. Place a jack stand under the car and raise it to the frame. Remove the lug nuts from the wheel with a lug wrench and pull the wheel from the car.
2. Loosen the top bolt on the brake caliper with a socket and ratchet. Pivot the caliper in a downward motion and pull it from the brake rotor. Remove the brake pads from the caliper. Insert the piston tool into the caliper and twist the handle until the piston seats itself within the caliper housing.
3. Install the new brake pads into the caliper. Insert the shims behind the brake pads. Pivot the caliper upward and onto the rotor. Tighten the bolt with the socket and ratchet. Remount the wheel onto the car and tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench. Remove the jack stand from under the car and lower it to the ground. Repeat the process on the other wheel.
4. Add brake fluid, as needed, to the master cylinder. Pump the brake pedal a few times until the brake pads seat themselves on the rotors and the pedal feels firm. Read More »»

Replace the Front Brakes on a 1997 Mazda Protege

The front brakes on the Mazda Protégé are easy to replace. You can expect it to take you about 30 minutes to replace the brake on each wheel. When you are replacing the brake pads, it is a good time to inspect the brake rotors for surface damage. Any grooves or other damage on the rotors will need your attention. You can complete this project in your driveway, saving you from paying the labor costs at a repair shop.

Procedure:
1. Place the Mazda on a level surface and turn off the key. Open the engine compartment and drain half of the brake fluid from the brake master cylinder using the turkey baster. Place the fluid in the drain pan for proper recycling later. The master cylinder is at the back of the engine compartment on the driver's side.
2. Place the wheel chocks behind the rear wheels of the Protégé. Raise the car up with the jack. Place a jack stand under the Mazda and raise it to the frame of the car. Remove the lug nuts from the wheel with the lug wrench. Pull the wheel off the car.
3. Loosen the bolts on the brake caliper with a socket and ratchet and pull it from the mounting bracket. Place the caliper and the back brake pad into the jaws of the C-clamp and turn the handle until the jaws of the C-clamp push the caliper piston back into the caliper housing. Remove the brake pads from the caliper.
4. Place a new set of brake pads into the caliper. Put the caliper on the mounting bracket and tighten the bolts with the socket and ratchet. Put the wheel on the car and tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench. Remove the jack stand from under the Mazda. Lower the car to the ground. Repeat the process on the other wheel.
5. Add fresh brake fluid to the master cylinder as needed when both wheels are complete. Pump the brakes several times until the pedal feels firm. This will seat the brake pads against the brake rotor. Check the brake fluid to see if you need to add more to the master cylinder. Never add fluid above the "Max" line. Read More »»