1991 MAZDA MIATA steering wheel

Removal & Installation (MX-6 & 626)
Pry ornament cap from horn pad with wide-blade screwdriver. Remove steering wheel nut. Use a puller to
remove steering wheel. To install, reverse removal procedure.
Removal & Installation (Protege & 323)
Remove 2 horn pad screws from behind steering wheel. Remove horn pad. Remove steering wheel nut. Use a
puller to remove steering wheel. To install, reverse removal procedure.
COMBINATION SWITCH
Removal (Miata & RX7 Convertible)
See STEERING WHEEL & HORN PAD under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Remove steering wheel.
Remove column covers. Remove screws and remove combination switch with clockspring connector assembly.
Installation
1. Install combination switch and clockspring assembly. Before installing steering wheel, center
clockspring. To center clockspring, set front wheels straight ahead. Turn clockspring connector clockwise
until it stops. DO NOT force it.
2. Return connector 2 3/4 turns (counterclockwise). Rotate clockspring connector further (if necessary) to
align marks on connector and outer housing. See Fig. 1
.
3. Install steering wheel. Tighten steering wheel nut to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
TABLE at end of article. Install air bag module. See AIR BAG article in the ACCESSORIES/SAFETY
EQUIPMENT section.

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
STEERING COLUMN 1991 STEERING Mazda - Steering Columns
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 2:10:42 PMPage 2 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Fig. 1: Aligning Clockspring Connector Alignment Marks
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Removal & Installation (All Others)
Remove steering wheel. See STEERING WHEEL & HORN PAD under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
Remove steering column covers. Disconnect combination switch connectors. Remove combination switch. To
install, reverse removal procedure.
IGNITION SWITCH & STEERING LOCK
Removal & Installation (All Models)
1. Remove steering wheel and combination switch. See STEERING WHEEL & HORN PAD and
COMBINATION SWITCH.
2. Remove ignition switch connectors. Remove ignition switch-to-steering lock screw. Remove ignition
switch.
3. With a hammer and chisel, make a groove on steering lock assembly shear screws. Remove 2 shear
screws with screwdriver. Remove ignition switch/steering lock assembly. To install, reverse removal
procedure. Tighten NEW shear screws until head breaks off.
STEERING COLUMN
CAUTION: Excessive pressure or impact to mainshaft during service may cause
column to collapse.

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
STEERING COLUMN 1991 STEERING Mazda - Steering Columns
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 2:10:42 PMPage 3 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Removal & Installation (B2200, B2600i, Miata, Protege, RX7,
323 & 929)
1. Remove steering wheel and combination switch. See STEERING WHEEL & HORN PAD and
COMBINATION SWITCH
under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. See Fig. 2 -8. Remove steering
lock assembly. See IGNITION SWITCH & STEERING LOCK
under REMOVAL &
INSTALLATION.
2. Remove lower panel and air duct (if necessary). Remove steering column-to-intermediate shaft "U" joint
bolt. Remove steering column-to-firewall nuts. Remove lower joint dust cover (if equipped). Remove
steering column upper bracket bolts. Remove steering column.
3. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
TABLE at end of article.

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
STEERING COLUMN 1991 STEERING Mazda - Steering Columns
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 2:10:42 PMPage 4 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Removal & Installation (MPV, MX-6 & 626)
1. Remove steering wheel and combination switch. See STEERING WHEEL & HORN PAD and
COMBINATION SWITCH
under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Remove steering lock assembly.
See IGNITION SWITCH & STEERING LOCK
under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
2. Remove lower dash panel and A/C duct. Remove lower column cover and steering shaft-to-intermediate
shaft "U" joint bolt. On MPV with A/T, remove shift lever mechanism.
3. On all models, separate steering shaft from intermediate shaft. Remove steering column upper bracket
bolts. Remove steering column. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts to specification. See
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS TABLE
at end of article.
OVERHAUL
STEERING COLUMN
Disassembly
Remove wiring and switches. Clamp column in vise. Turn steering shaft to remove. With a hammer and chisel,
make a groove in steering lock assembly shear screws. Remove shear screws. Remove steering lock.
Inspection
Check all components for damage or wear. Check steering shaft for bends, damage or sheared plastic pins.
Check bearings for excessive play. Replace parts as necessary. Measure length of steering shaft. See Fig. 9
.
Reassembly
To reassemble, reverse disassembly procedure. Grease steering shaft, bushings and bearings. Always use NEW
shear screws.
STEERING SHAFT DIMENSIONS
(1) NOTE: Steering shaft dimension for 929 is not available from manufacturer.
ApplicationLength - In. (mm)
B2200 & B2600i32.69-32.99 (830.0-835.6)
Miata22.09-23.02 (561.1-584.7)
MPV24.05-24.17 (611.0-614.0)
MX-6 & 62624.00-24.05 (609.6-611.1)
Protege & 32323.86-23.94 (606.0-608.0)
RX732.05-32.17 (814.0-817.0)
929(2)
See Fig. 9 for measuring points.

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
STEERING COLUMN 1991 STEERING Mazda - Steering Columns
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 2:10:42 PMPage 12 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Fig. 9: Measuring Steering Shaft Dimensions (Except 929)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
ApplicationFt. Lbs. (N.m)
Column Bracket Bolts/Nuts12-17 (16-23)
Steering Shaft "U" Joint Bolts13-20 (18-27)
Steering Wheel Nut29-36 (39-49)
INCH Lbs. (N.m)
Tilt Lever Adjusting Nut16-25 (1.8-2.8)

1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
STEERING COLUMN 1991 STEERING Mazda - Steering Columns
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 2:10:42 PMPage 14 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.