Genuine Mazda MX-5 Miata Wheel Hub

Mazda MX-5 Miata Wheel Hub Parts and Q&A

• Hub Assembly
  NF47-33-04X
  Q: How to remove and install the rear Steering Knuckle and Wheel Hub assembly on Mazda MX-5 Miata?

  A:

  Loosen the wheel lug nuts, raise the vehicle, and support it securely on jackstands before removing the wheel. Next, remove the brake caliper, bracket, and disc, and set aside the ABS sensor if equipped. Remove the driveaxle/hub nut and break the driveaxle free from the hub splines. For 2005 and earlier models, support the lower Control Arm with a floor jack, then remove the outer pivot bolts from the upper and lower control arms to separate the knuckle from the vehicle, ensuring to support the driveaxle to avoid damaging the driveaxle boot. Installation is the reverse of removal, tightening the fasteners to the specified torque. Before tightening any fastener that runs through a rubber bushing, raise the rear knuckle with a floor jack to simulate normal ride height, then tighten the driveaxle hub nut and install the wheel and lug nuts before lowering the vehicle and tightening the lug nuts to the specified torque. For 2006 and later models, disconnect the ABS speed sensor and harness, unbolt the lower end of the shock absorber from the knuckle, and disconnect the toe-control link, upper and lower trailing links, and upper and lower lateral links from the rear knuckle. Pull the rear knuckle and hub assembly off the driveaxle while supporting the driveaxle assembly to protect the outer CV joint boot. Installation is the reverse of removal, ensuring all fasteners are tightened to the specified torque, and remember to raise the rear knuckle with a floor jack to simulate normal ride height before tightening any fasteners that run through a rubber bushing.
• Hub Assembly
  NE51-33-04XA
  Q: How to remove and inspect front wheel bearings in the wheel hub assembly on Mazda MX-5 Miata?

  A:

  The hub and bearing assembly includes the front Wheel Bearings which do not have a separate service. To start removal, loosen the lug nuts of the wheels, jack up the car and place it safely on jackstands then remove the wheel. Then take out the caliper disc, brake caliper and caliper bracket. Check the endplay of the hub and bearing assembly with a dial indicator against the hub, putting the indicator to zero with the hub pressed in, and recording the reading when the hub is pulled out. In case the endplay is greater than 0.002 inch, loosen the locknut and attempt to re-tighten the locknut to the required specifications. In case this fails to bring the endplay within reach, then the whole hub will have to be changed. When excess endplay is fixed by retightening, the retightened locknut should not be reused but a new one should be fixed. Take off grease cap on the hub, bend back the staked part of the locknut and open it. In case of re-tightening the locknut, remove it, then grind off the staked area then apply correct torque. Removing the bearing and hub assembly off the spindle, with a puller, as required; remove the brake disc shield bolts, as required. To check, feel the bearings in the hub, roughness, looseness, noise, greasy discharge etc.: spin with your fingers to feel. In case of any problems detected or grease leakage, change the hub and bearings. Also, inspect the wheel studs and the ABS sensor ring to check whether they are damaged, which can be repaired in the automotive machine shop. To install, do the reverse of the procedures, but be sure to apply wheel bearing grease and lubricate the spindle, re-fit a fresh locknut, tighten it to the appropriate torque and stake the locknut to ensure it does not loosen.