REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

Except Miata

FRONT

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.
2. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Steering knuckle from the vehicle
   • Inner oil seal from the knuckle
3. Using Mazda Hub Puller tools 49 G033 102, 49 G033 104 and 49 G033 105, pull the front wheel hub from the knuckle assembly.
4. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Bearing inner race from the front wheel hub
   • Retaining ring from within the knuckle
   • Front wheel bearing from the knuckle, using the hub puller tools
   • Brake dust shield
5. Clean and inspect all parts but do not wash or clean the wheel bearing. The bearing must be replaced.

   To install:

6. Using Mazda Press tools 49 G033 107 and 49 H026 103, install a new dust shield cover assembly to the knuckle.
7. Using the press tools, press a new wheel bearing into the knuckle assembly.
8. Install or connect the following:
   • Wheel bearing retaining ring
   • New oil seal using Installation tool 49 V001 795
   • Front wheel hub using the Mazda press tools

REAR

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.

   NOTE: The wheel bearings are not serviceable. If the bearings are bad, a new hub/bearing assembly must be installed.

2. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Rear wheels

     Fig. 1: Exploded view of the rear wheel hub and bearing assembly (disc brake model shown, drum is similar)

   • Brake drum, if equipped
   • Rear caliper and rotor assembly from the hub, if equipped
   • Hub dust cover
3. Raise the staked portion of the hub retaining nut with a hammer and chisel.
4. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Hub retaining nut and discard it
   • Hub and bearing assembly from the spindle

     Fig. 2: When installing the new hub nut, be sure to stake it into the notch on the spindle

   To install:

5. Install or connect the following:
   • Bearing assembly on the spindle. Tighten the new nut to 131–173 ft. lbs. (177–235 Nm).
   • Stake the nut into the groove in the spindle
   • Dust cover
   • Assemble the brakes
   • Rear wheel

Miata

FRONT

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.

   NOTE: The wheel bearings are not serviceable. If the bearings are bad, a new hub/bearing assembly must be installed.

2. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Front wheels
   • Hub center dust cap
3. Raise the staked portion of the hub locknut with a hammer and chisel. Lock the hub by applying the brakes and loosen the nut.
4. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Brake caliper
   • Brake rotor
   • Hub locknut and discard it
   • Hub from the spindle

   To install:

5. Install or connect the following:
   • Hub to the spindle
   • Hub locknut. Tighten it to 123–159 ft. lbs. (167–215 Nm).
   • Stake the new nut into the spindle groove using a dull chisel
   • Brake rotor
   • Brake caliper
   • Hub center dust cap
   • Front wheels

REAR

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.
2. Remove the rear wheels.
3. Raise the staked portion of the hub locknut with a hammer and chisel. Lock the hub by applying the brakes and loosen the nut.
4. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Brake caliper and position it aside
   • Brake rotor
   • Hub locknut and discard it
   • Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) wheel speed sensor, if equipped
   • Speed sensor bracket from the rear knuckle
   • Upper and lower knuckle mounting through bolts
   • Knuckle assembly from vehicle
   • Rear bearing oil seal by prying it from the knuckle
   • Wheel hub by pressing it from the knuckle
   • Retaining snapring from within the knuckle
   • Bearing assembly from the knuckle, once the wheel hub is removed
5. The inner race of the bearing may remain on the hub. Use a chisel and move the bearing race away from the rear hub flange. Once there is enough clearance, press the race from the hub.

   To install:

6. Press the new bearing into the rear knuckle assembly.
7. Apply some grease to the wheel bearing inner race and press the rear hub into the bearing. Make sure to position a suitable support on the backside of the bearing.
8. Install or connect the following:
   • Retaining snapring to the knuckle
   • New rear oil seal by lubricating it with grease and pressing it into the rear knuckle
   • Knuckle assembly to the vehicle
   • Upper and lower knuckle mounting through bolts. Tighten the upper bolt to 34–49 ft. lbs. (47–66 Nm) and the lower bolt to 47–54 ft. lbs. (63–74 Nm).
   • Speed sensor bracket to the rear knuckle
   • ABS wheel speed sensor, if equipped
   • New hub locknut. Tighten it to 160–216 ft. lbs. (216–294 Nm).
   • Stake the new nut into the spindle groove using a dull chisel
   • Brake rotor
   • Brake caliper
   • Rear wheels