Mazda MX-5 NA silhouetteMX-5 NA

DIFFERENTIAL

M-41prose procedureUnverified
Continued from M-40

Adjustment of drive pinion and ring gear backlash (continued)

  1. 7
    Mark the ring gear at four points at approx. 90° intervals. Mount a dial indicator to the carrier so that the feeler comes in contact at a right angle with one of the ring gear teeth.
    Photo showing SST 49 0259 720 being used to turn bearing adjusters on the differential carrier, with a dial indicator mounted to measure backlash.
    05U0MX-116
  2. 8
    Turn both bearing adjusters equally with the SST until the backlash is 0.09—0.11mm (0.0035—0.0043 in).
  3. 9
    Check the backlash at the three other marked points, and make sure the maximum backlash is less than 0.07mm (0.0028 in).
    When adjusting the differential bearing preload, be careful not to affect the backlash of the drive pinion and ring gear.
    Top-down view of the ring gear showing four marked points at approximately 90° intervals around the gear circumference, each marked with a circled number to indicate measurement locations.
    05U0MX-117
  4. 10
    Tighten the adjusting nuts equally until the distance between the pilot sections on the bearing caps is 150.20 +0/-0.72 mm (5.913 +0/-0.028 in).
    Illustration showing the bearing caps installed on the differential carrier with the adjusting nuts being tightened to set the distance between the pilot sections.
    05U0MX-118

Inspection and adjustment of teeth contact

  1. 1
    Coat both surfaces of 6—8 teeth of the ring gear with a thin coat of red lead.
    Illustration showing red lead being applied to the ring gear teeth and the gear being rotated to inspect the tooth contact pattern.
    99U09X-025
  2. 2
    While moving the ring gear back and forth by hand, rotate the drive pinion several times and check the tooth contact.
    Two side-by-side photos labeled 'GOOD CONTACT' (left) and 'RED LEAD' (right) showing ring gear teeth with red lead pattern indicating proper tooth contact distribution.
    63G09X-385
  3. 3
    If the tooth contact is good, wipe off the red lead.
  4. 4
    If it is not good, adjust the pinion height, and then adjust the backlash.
(1) Toe and flank contact — Replace the spacer with a thinner one to move the drive pinion outward.
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