Mazda RX-8 Torque Specifications
Fastener torque ranges for the Series 1 RX-8, with the thread condition, tightening sequence and replacement parts Mazda gives for each.
On this page
Mazda’s ranges in newton metres, as printed, with the thread condition, passes and replacement parts beside each. “From the figure” means Mazda prints the value only in a diagram callout, so check it against the manual’s figure.
General practice: fit bushed suspension fasteners loosely with the car raised, lower it, then tighten fully so the bushes aren’t preloaded. Tighten multi-bolt patterns in the stated order and in stages. Replace single-use items.
Engine, core fasteners
Mazda separates engine “Type A” from “Type B”. Type B is a 2009 model-year US-VIN engine; everything else, including a 2005 UK car, is Type A. Some online figures belong to Type B (a separate upper oil pan, for example), so check which type a number is for.
| Fastener | Torque (N·m) | Conditions and replacement parts |
|---|---|---|
| Tension bolts (through-bolts) | 31.4-39.2 | Engine oil on the threads and a new seal washer on each, rubber projection towards the housing. Two or three passes, in the figure sequence. |
| Flywheel / counterweight locknut | 392-490 | Lock the flywheel with the SST. Mazda’s European manual calls for silicone sealant on the threads (its US-style manual says the seating face). |
| Eccentric-shaft pulley lockbolt | 254-294 | Engine oil on the threads, new O-ring, silicone sealant on the seating face. Lock the shaft with the SST. |
| Oil-pump sprocket locknut | 31.4-46.1 | New lock washer and locknut, then bend the washer over. Lock the shaft with the SST. |
| Front cover bolts | 18.6-25.5 | Check the pulley boss height first (10.34-11.14 mm). Figure sequence. |
| Pressure regulator (Type A) | 68.6-78.4 | |
| Rear stationary-gear stopper screw | 3.2-4.7 | From Mazda’s October 2008 engine manual. |
| Oil pan bolts (Type A, single pan) | 8.8-11.8 | One unbroken bead of sealant, 2.5-6.5 mm, fit the pan within five minutes of applying it. Clean old sealant off reused bolts. |
| Oil pan drain plug (Type A) | 29.4-39.2 | New sealing washer. |
Oil pan upper block bolts (18.6-25.5 N·m) apply only to Type B engines. A 2005 UK car has a single pan.
Engine ancillaries
| Fastener | Torque (N·m) | Conditions and replacement parts |
|---|---|---|
| Spark plugs | 12.8-17.7 | |
| Intake manifold bolts | 18.6-25.5 | Tighten in the figure order, then re-tighten bolt No. 1 last. |
| Engine mount rubbers (both sides) | 45.1-62.8 | From the figure. Tighten with the engine settled in its mounts. |
| Engine mount bracket fasteners | 37.2-51.9 and 43.1-60.8 | From the figure: one bolt per bracket takes the first range, the other bracket bolts and nuts the second. |
| Water pump body bolts | 18.6-25.5 | From the figure. |
| Water pump pulley bolts | 7.8-10.8 | |
| Oil cooler bolts, core to bracket and bracket to body | 7.9-10.7 | From the figure. |
| Oil cooler hose union bolts | 53.9-68.6 | From the figure, which shows new washers. |
| Alternator mounting bolt “A” | 38-51 | Set belt deflection (4.5-5.0 mm at 98 N) with adjusting bolt “C” first. |
| Alternator locknut “B” | 20-30 | Tighten after the belt tension is set. |
| Starter motor bolts (manual gearbox), two | 38-51 | Terminal B nut: 9.8-11.7. |
Drivetrain
| Fastener | Torque (N·m) | Conditions and replacement parts |
|---|---|---|
| Gearbox to engine bolts | 37-52 | Two lengths, 55 mm and 90 mm. Keep each in its own hole. |
| PPF to differential, bolts/nuts No. 1 and 2 | 126.0-154.0 | Rear (differential) side. Tighten No. 1 only until the PPF is seated, then finish after setting dimension A. |
| PPF to differential, bolt/nut No. 3 | 74.5-93.2 | After No. 1 and 2, in Mazda’s numbered order. |
| PPF to gearbox, front nuts | 126.0-154.0 | After setting dimension A to 48.4-56.4 mm. |
| Propeller shaft to differential companion flange | 45-59 | Align the marks you made on shaft and flange. |
| Y16M-D filler and drain plugs | 27-48 | New washers. |
| Differential filler and drain plugs | 39.2-53.9 | New washers. |
Brakes and wheels
| Fastener | Torque (N·m) | Conditions and replacement parts |
|---|---|---|
| Front caliper slider (guide) bolts | 21.6-31.4 | From the figure. |
| Front caliper carrier to knuckle | 78.4-101.9 | From the figure. |
| Rear caliper slider (guide) bolts | 21.6-31.4 | From the figure. |
| Rear caliper bracket to knuckle | 49.0-68.6 | From the figure. |
| Wheel nuts | 88-118 | Criss-cross pattern. |
| Brake bleed screw | 6.9-9.8 |
Suspension: dampers and alignment
| Fastener | Torque (N·m) | Conditions and replacement parts |
|---|---|---|
| Front damper piston-rod nut | 31.4-46.1 | New nut. From the figure. |
| Rear damper piston-rod nut | 31.4-46.1 | New nut. From the figure. |
| Front damper lower bolt and nut | 78.2-103.4 | From the figure. |
| Rear damper lower bolt | 88.0-119.0 | From the figure. |
| Rear damper bracket fasteners | 37.2-51.9, 46.1-62.8 and 23.5-31.7 | From the figure: the nuts and one bolt, one nut, and the lower bolt respectively. |
| Front camber/caster cam nuts and rear camber cam nuts | 117.7-137.3 | Final-tighten at normal ride height. |
| Rear toe cam nuts | 70-95 |
Steering
| Fastener | Torque (N·m) | Conditions and replacement parts |
|---|---|---|
| Steering rack mounting bolts | 74.4-104.8 | From the figure, in the figure order. |
| Tie-rod end locknut (toe adjustment) | 37.0-49.0 | Lock after setting toe. Mazda’s rack-removal figure shows the tie-rod end stud nut at the same 37.0-49.0 (castle nut and split pin). |
| Tie-rod end locknut (rack overhaul figure) | 68.6-98.0 | Mazda’s own pages disagree here: the alignment page gives 37.0-49.0 for the toe locknut and the rack overhaul figure gives 68.6-98.0. I use the alignment page for an on-car adjustment. |
| Steering shaft nuts A and B | 15.7-22.5 | Tighten A, then B. |
| Intermediate steering shaft bolt | 17.6-26.5 | |
| Steering wheel locknut | 39.2-49.0 | New locknut. Set the wheel straight ahead first. |
Sources
All from Mazda’s 2003 RX-8 workshop manual (European edition), via the foxed.ca mirror, accessed 14 October 2026.
- Engine assembly: housing assembly I, II and III, plus the revised 13B-MSP engine workshop manual (October 2008) for Type A/B, the regulator and the stopper screw.
- Spark plug removal/installation, engine removal/installation (mounts), intake-air system.
- Transmission removal/installation (gearbox bolts and PPF), propeller shaft, Y16M-D oil replacement, differential oil replacement.
- Wheels and suspension procedures, front alignment, brake air bleeding, steering rack and steering shaft.
Technical review: