I-54086

MX-5 Spring/Shock Installation

Front
Tools Required: Estimated time for
Torque Wrench completion: 2 hrs
Socket Wrench
Extension - 3 People required: 1 Photo 2
Universal Socket Drive
Metric Sockets Photo 1 Cross
(12, 14) & (17 deep) brace
Metric Box Wrench
(17mm)
Spring Compressor Tool

Remove the shock tower brace and shock

assembly retaining bolts.
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS -FRONT
Jack up the car and place on safety stands. DO NOT work under a Photo 3
car supported only by a floor jack! Remove the front wheels.

1. Remove the shock tower braces, starting with the two 12mm head
nuts that retain the center section (Photo 1) and then continuing to remove
each side section (Photo 2)(three 12mm head nuts each side). Remove
the (3) 12mm head nuts per side that secure the tops of each shock to the
chassis.
2. Remove the 17mm head retaining bolt at the bottom of the shock.
Remove the (2) 17mm head bolts per side from the upper A-frame outer
ends. Note: When performing the removal procedure, support the upright
assembly in an appropriate manner in order to prevent undue stress or ABS
pulling on the ABS wire and connector. See photo 3. Wire

3. Pull the ends of the A-frame outward, while at the same time maneu-
vering the top of the shock assembly outward. Guide the assembly out of A-frame and lower shock retaining bolts.
the chassis, being careful not to stress the ABS wire. See photo 4.
4. Repeat these steps on the opposite side of the car. Photo 4
5. Disassemble the shock assembly with the aid of a spring compressor
tool. If installing lowering springs, remove the bump stop and modify as
shown in the photo by cutting and/or grinding. See photo 5.
6. Reassemble the spring assembly, noting the correct parts positioning
and orientation as shown in photo 6 & 7. (If installing new shocks, follow
any specific instructions provided by the manufacturer.) Orient the top plate
as shown in photo 8.
7. Reinstall the suspension in reverse order, with one exception! Do not
fully tighten either of the upper A-frame ends, or the shock lower attach-
ment bolt - just install the nuts finger tight! Lower the car to the ground Use caution with ABS wire!
and perform the final tightening after pushing down on the chassis to settle
the car. This method of tightening is difficult but important - if you tighten Pull the A-arm outwards, then guide
the shock assembly out of the chassis
the rubber bushings with the suspension in droop, the bushings can be
over stressed and the ride height will be incorrect.

Page 1 of 4
 8. Torque to the following specs:
Upper A-arm inner ends - 17mm head nuts (62-72 ft lbs) Photo 6
Lower shock nut - 17mm head nuts (56-72 ft lbs)
Shock rod nut - 17mm head nuts (23-34 ft lbs)
Shock top plate to chassis - 14mm head nuts (25-30 ft lbs)
Nut
Shock top crossbar to chassis - 12mm head nuts (15-18 ft lbs)

Washer
Upper
Bushing
Photo 5

Front
Bump Stop Top
Plate

1 Modified
1

Stock

Alignment Tab
Photo 7

Dust Boot

Alignment mark
Alignment tab Ribbed sur-
face oriented
Align the tab with one of the three (3) marks on the top plate.
upwards.
Sleeve
& Lower
Photo 8 Bushing

Cap &
Modified
Bump Stop

Align to bolt
position.

Align to
mounting
bolt position.

Copyright 2006 Page 2 of 4

4789 Wesley Drive, Anaheim CA 92807 (714)779-8677 Fax (714)779-2902

I-54086

MX-5 Spring/Shock Installation

Rear

Tools Required: Spring Compressor Tool

Torque Wrench Small Screwdriver - Flat
Socket Wrench Blade Photo 1
Extensions - 12, 8 Spring Compressor Tool
Universal Socket Drive
Metric Sockets Estimated time for
(10, 12, 14, 17) & (17 deep) completion: 2 hrs
Metric Box Wrench People required: 1
(14, 17)

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS -REAR

1. Open the trunk lid to gain access to the shock assembly upper retain-
ing bolts. Remove the factory tire tool kit. Remove the (5) plastic fasten-
ers from the forward center piece of plastic trim, and remove the panel.
Remove the (8) plastic fasteners from the rear center piece panel and lean Passengers side shown
the it forward (do not disconnect the electrical connections). Remove the
(3) plastic fasteners from both the left and right pieces of plastic trim and
remove them from the trunk.
Photo 2
2. Jack up the car and place on safety stands. DO NOT work under a car
supported only by a floor jack! Remove the rear wheels.
A B
3. At this point you have a choice when attempting to remove the upper D
retaining nuts from the shocks. If you have the appropriate universal drive
and 8 extension, you can remove the (2) 14mm nuts per side that retain
the shock retraining nuts. If not, remove the light steel protective shield
(10mm bolts) that covers the fuel system components on the left (drivers)
side of the trunk and then remove the shock retaining nuts.
C

4. Remove the (2) upper link retaining bolts (A & B - 17mm head), and the
lower shock retaining bolt (C - 17mm head). Remove the 12mm head bolts
as shown at position D. See photo 2.
5. Push the bottom of the shock assembly off of the lower mounting boss A-arm and shock assembly retaining bolts.
(inward). Push down on the upright assembly (have an assistant push
down on the brake caliper), and guide the lower end of the shock assembly
behind the rear lower link. Carefully lower the assembly out of the car. See Photo 3 Photo 4
photos 3 & 4. Repeat these steps on the opposite side of the car.
6. Disassemble the shock assembly with the aid of a spring compressor
tool. If installing lowering springs, remove the bump stops and modify as
shown in the photo by cutting and/or grinding. See photo 5.
7. Reassemble the spring assemblies, noting the correct parts positioning
and orientation as shown in photo 6. (If installing new shocks, follow any
instructions provided by the manufacturer.) Orient the top plates as shown
in photo 7.
8. Reinstall the suspension in reverse order, with one exception! Do not
fully tighten either of the upper link inner ends, or the shock lower attach-
ment bolt - just install the bolts finger tight! Lower the car to the ground

Push down on the brake caliper, Maneuver the assembly out of

and move the assembly downward. the chassis.

Page 3 of 4
(Continued)
and perform the final tightening after pushing down on the
chassis to settle the car. This method of tightening is difficult but important Photo 6
-if you tighten the rubber bushings with the suspension in droop, the
bushings can be over stressed and the ride height will be incorrect.
9. Torque to the following specs:
Nut
Upper link inner ends - 17mm head bolts (56-75 ft lbs)
Lower shock bolt - 17mm head bolt (65-87 ft lbs) Washer
Shock rod nut - 17mm head nuts (23-34 ft lbs)
Top Plate/Cover to chassis nuts (in trunk) - 14mm head nuts (26-32 ft lbs) Upper
Bushing
Top Plate/Cover to chassis bolts (in wheel well)
- 12mm head bolts (17-23 ft lbs)

Top
Photo 5
Plate/Cover
Rear
Bump Stop

Modified
1.75

Stock

Photo 7
Left Side Right Side

Ribbed
surface Sleeve
oriented & Lower
Outer upwards.
A side Bushing

Cap

Sleeve
A Outer
side
Modified
Bump Stop

Lowest edge of lower spring seat.

Lowest edge of lower spring seat.

Install the spring with the edge of the lower spring seat facing
towards you as shown above. Use edge A as reference when posi-
tioning the top plate/cover.

Copyright 2006 Page 4 of 4

4789 Wesley Drive, Anaheim CA 92807 (714)779-8677 Fax (714)779-2902