Differential: Diagnosis Mazda MX-5 NA

TROUBLE SHOOTING

Note. See TROUBLE SHOOTING - BASIC PROCEDURES article in GENERAL INFORMATION.

Scheme 1

1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel and tire assembly. Drain differential. Remove exhaust pipe. Mark drive shaft flange for reassembly reference and remove drive shaft from differential carrier. (Scheme 1) Disconnect speedometer cable from transmission. Noting locations, disconnect wiring harness from Power Plant Frame (PPF).
2. Support transmission using a jack. Remove PPF bracket from rear transmission extension housing (M/T only). Remove PPF-to-differential side bolts. Pry out spacer. Remove PPF/differential mounting spacer. (Scheme 2) Install metric bolt (M14 X 1.5) into sleeve. (Scheme 3)
3. Twist bolt from side to side while pulling it downward. Install a metric bolt (M6 X 1) into hole in housing block to hold sleeve and remove long bolt (M14 X 1.5). Remove short bolt (M6 X 1).
4. Remove PPF-to-transmission side bolts and remove PPF. Mark and disconnect CV joint drive axles from differential assembly, and support aside. Support differential assembly and remove differential-to-chassis mounting nuts. Remove differential from vehicle. Remove differential carrier-to-housing bolts. Remove differential carrier.

Scheme 2

Scheme 3