Differential: Diagnosis Mazda MX-5 NB

TROUBLE SHOOTING

Note. See TROUBLE SHOOTING article in GENERAL INFORMATION.

Scheme 1

1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheels. Drain differential. Remove exhaust pipe and muffler. Remove differential mounting pipe. Mark drive shaft and differential carrier flanges 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 floor jack to prevent damage to firewall, crank angle sensor and engine mounts. Remove PPF bracket from rear transmission extension housing. Remove PPF-to-differential side bolts and pry out spacer. Remove PPF-to-differential mounting spacer. Remove PPF-to-transmission side bolts and remove PPF sleeve. If sleeve cannot be removed easily, tap side of sleeve with plastic mallet. (Scheme 2)
3. Install bolt (M14 x 1.5) into sleeve. (Scheme 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. Remove long bolt (M14 x 1.5). Remove short bolt (M6 x 1). Remove PPF.
4. Remove brake caliper assembly. Remove lower arm bolt. Mark and disconnect CV joint axle shafts from differential assembly, and support aside.
5. Support differential assembly and remove differential-to-chassis mounting nuts. Remove differential from vehicle. Remove drive axle output shafts from carrier. Remove differential carrier-to-housing bolts. Remove differential carrier.

Scheme 2

Scheme 3