Updated specs are available.
Differential drive-pinion/ring-gear backlash — minimum (NB2 and Mazdaspeed)
This spec doesn't apply to the car you selected.
Not yet checked against the factory manual for your car's year. It's verified in the 2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata Workshop Manual (electronic manual capture); 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata Workshop Manual (electronic manual capture); 2004 Mazda MX-5 Miata Workshop Manual (electronic manual capture); later manuals may differ.
≈0.00197 in (0.05 mm) minimum0.05 mm minimum
Factory manualTaken from a Mazda factory workshop manual, with page citation.
Procedure
Minimum listed separately in the factory technical table. The assembly setup target remains 0.09–0.11 mm; do not set backlash to the minimum when assembling the differential. Use the full factory procedure for the cross-position inspection as well.
Applies to
- NB 2001–2005 (BP-Z3) — Actual 2003, 2004 and 2005 factory evidence; 2001–2002 inferred within the owner-approved NB2 non-turbo family.
- NB 2004–2005 (BP-Z3-TURBO) — Actual 2005 shared factory driveline specifications; 2004 MSM inferred with owner approval.
- Verified in: 2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata Workshop Manual (electronic manual capture); 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata Workshop Manual (electronic manual capture); 2004 Mazda MX-5 Miata Workshop Manual (electronic manual capture)
Sources (3)
View 3 source citations
- 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata Workshop Manual (electronic manual capture)Tier 1
Page Driveline/Axle Technical Data (PDF p. 1058) · Printed value & notes
Page Driveline/Axle Technical Data (PDF p. 1058)Printed: “Backlash of drive pinion and ring gear (mm {in}) Minimum 0.05 {0.0020}” - 2004 Mazda MX-5 Miata Workshop Manual (electronic manual capture)Tier 1
Page Driveline/Axle Technical Data (PDF p. 1078) · Printed value & notes
Page Driveline/Axle Technical Data (PDF p. 1078)Printed: “Backlash of drive pinion and ring gear (mm {in}) Minimum 0.05 {0.0020}” - 2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata Workshop Manual (electronic manual capture)Tier 1
Page Driveline/Axle Technical Data (PDF p. 1212) · Printed value & notes
Page Driveline/Axle Technical Data (PDF p. 1212)Printed: “Backlash of drive pinion and ring gear (mm {in}) Minimum 0.05 {0.0020}”
Related service specs
- Differential pinion bearing preload (NA6)
- Differential pinion bearing preload (NA8)
- Differential pinion bearing preload (NB1)
- Differential side-gear/pinion-gear backlash — standard (NA6)
- Differential side-gear/pinion-gear backlash — standard (NA8)
- Differential side-gear/pinion-gear backlash — standard (NB1)
- Differential side-gear/pinion-gear backlash — standard (NB2 open differential)
- Differential drive-pinion/ring-gear backlash — setup target (NA6)