1994 MAZDA MX-5 SECTION T

DIFFERENTIAL M (1) Mark the ring gear at four points at approx. 90" inter- vals. Mount a dial indicator to the carrier so that the feeler comes in contact at a right angle with one of the ring gear teeth. (2) Turn both bearing adjusters equally by using the SST until the backlash is 0.09-0.11mm {0.0036-€).0043 in). (3) Check the backlash at the three other marked points, and make sure the maximum backlash is less than 0.07mm (0.0028 in). 9. Tighten or loosen the adjusting nuts equally until the dis- tance between the pilot sections on the bearing caps is 185.428-1 85SOmm (7.3004--7.3031 in). 10. Recheck the back lash. Inspection and adjustment of teeth contact 1. Coat both surfaces of 6-8 teeth of the ring gear with a thin coat of red lead. 2. While moving the ring gear back and forth by hand, rotate the drive pinion several times and check the tooth contact. 3. If the tooth contact is good, wipe off the red lead. 4. If it is not good, adjust the pinion height, and then adjust the backlash. (1) Toe and flank contact Replace the spacer with a thinner one to move the drive pinion outward. Gartner Banana

Before beginning any service procedure. refer to section T of this manual for I air bag system service warnings and audio antitheft system alarm conditions . STEERING SYSTEM INDEX ....................................... N- 2 OUTLINE ..................................... N- 4 SPECIFICATIONS ........................... N- 4 MANUAL STEERING .......................... N- 4 PREPARATION ............................. N- 4 ................ TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE N- 5 BOOT ...................................... N- 6 STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN ........... N- 8 ............. STEERING GEAR AND LINKAGE N-12 ENGINE SPEED SENSING POWER STEERING .......................... N-18 PREPARATION ............................. N-18 TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE ................ N-20 AIR BLEEDING ............................. N-21 POWER STEERING FLUID ................... N-22 STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN ........... N-24 STEERING GEAR AND LINKAGE ............. N-25 POWER STEERING OIL PUMP ............... N-33 DRIVE BELT ................................ N-37 25UONX-001 Gartner Banana

MANUAL STEERING TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE Problem Steering heavy Posslble Cause Poor lubrication, foreign material, or abnormal wear of steering ball joint Stuck or damaged lower arm ball joints lmproper steering pinion preload Damaged steering gear Malfunction of steering shaft joint lmproperly adjusted wheel alignment Malfunctioning steering gear Replace Replace gear Replace Replace Adjust Replace ~ction- Lubricate or replace section R N-12 N-12 N- 9 section R N-12 ~i&d~ection N-13 General instability while driving Steering wheel pulls to one side Shake (Steering wheel vibrates upidown) Worn or damaged stabilizer and/or suspension arm bushings Dragging brake Loose lower arm lmproperly adjusted wheel alignment lncorrect tire pressure Damaged or unbalanced wheel Worn or damaged steering joints lmproper steering pinion preload Weak front coil spring Worn or damaged stabilizer andlor suspension arm bushings Malfunctioning shock absorber lmproperly adjusted wheel alignment Excessive tire and/or wheel runout Loose lug nuts Unbalanced wheel(s) Incorrect tire pressure Incorrect tire pressure Unevenly worn tires Weak front spring Replace Repair Tighten Adjust Adjust Adjust or replace Replace Replace gear Replace Replace Replace Adjust Replace Tighten Adjust or replace section R section P section R section R section Q section Q N- 9 N-12 section R section R section R section R section Q section Q section Q Adjust Adjust Replace Replace section Q section Q section Q section R I Cracked or worn transmission mount I Cracked or worn engine mount 1 ~e~lace I section B lncorrect tire pressure Unevenly worn tires Malfunction of shock absorber Shimmy (Steering wheel vibrates circumferentially) Excessive steering wheel play Cracked or worn steering gear mount Loose steering gear mounting bolts Stuck or damaged steering ball joint Excessive tire and/or wheel runout Loose lug nuts Unbalanced wheel(s) Adjust Replace Replace Replace Replace Tighten Replace Replace Tighten Adjust or replace section Q section Q section R section J N-12 N-12 N-13 section Q section Q section Q I Loose shock absorber mounting bolts 1 Tighten I section R Stuck or damaged lower arm ball joint Cracked or worn suspension bushings Damaged or worn front wheel bearing lmproperly adjusted front wheel alignment Worn steering gear Worn or damaged steering joints Worn or damaged suspension arm bushings Loose steering gear mounting bolts I lmproperly adjusted front wheel alignment Poor steering wheel return Replace Replace Replace Adjust Replace Replace Replace Tighten Replace Adjust Replace Adjust Worn linkage &-tie-rod ball joint lncorrect tire pressure Stuck or damaged steering joints section R section R section M section R N-12 N- 9 section R N-12 N-12 section Q N- 9 section R Abnormal noise from steering system 25UONX-00! Improper steering pinion preload Ball joint not operating smoothly Steering shaft contacting something Loose steering gear Malfunctioning steering gear Obstruction near steering column Loose steering linkage Worn steering joints Replace gear Replace Repair Tighten Replace Repair or replace Tighten or replace Replace N-12 N-13 N- 9 N-12 N-12 N- 9 N-12 N- 9 Gartner Banana

N MANUAL STEERING BOOT Replacement 1. Loosen the wheel lug nuts. 2. On level ground, jack up the front of the vehicle and support it on safety stands. 3. Remove the wheel. 4. Remove in the order shown in the figure, referring to Removal Note. 5. Install in the reverse order of removal, referring to lnstallation Note. 6. After installation, check the steering angle and toe-in, and adjust if necessary. (Refer to section R.) Nm (kgfm, ftdbf) 1. Cotter pin 6. Tie-rod end boot 2. Nut Removal Note ................ page N-7 3. Tie-rod endfsteering knuckle Installation Note .............. page N-7 Removal Note ................ page N-7 7. Boot clamp J 4. Locknut 8. Boot wire Removal Note ................ page N-7 9. Steering gear boot 5. Tie-rod end Installation Note .............. page N-7 Gartner Banana

N MANUAL STEERING STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN Obtain the code number and deactivate the audio anti- theft system before disconnecting the battery. (Refer to section T.) On-vehicle Inspection Steering wheel play If the play exceeds specification, either the steering joints are worn or the backlash of the steering gear is excessive. With the wheels in the straight-ahead position, gently turn the steering wheel to the left and right and verify that the play is within specification. Play: 0--30mm (0-1.18 in) Looseness or play of steering wheel Move the steering wheel in directions a, 0, and @ to check for column bearing wear, steering shaft joint play, steering wheel looseness, and column looseness. Steering wheel effort 1. On level ground, jack up the front of the vehicle and sup- port it on safety stands. 2. Turn the steering wheel fully to the left and right at least 5 times. 3. Move the steering wheel to put the wheels in the straight ahead position. 4. Attach a pull scale to the outermost point of the steering wheel spoke. Then, starting with the wheels in the straight-ahead posi- tion, measure the effort required to turn the steering wheel to the left and to the right. Steering wheel effort: 5.0--29 N (0.S3.0 kgf, 1 .l--6.6 Ibf) (during one turn of steering wheel) 5. If not within specification, check the following: rotation starting torque of pinion, rotation torque of each ball joint, and steering joints. Gartner Banana

MANUAL STEERING , N Removal / Installation 1. Disconnect the negative battery cable. 2. Remove in the order shown in the figure, referring to Removal Note. ,, 3. Inspect all parts and repair or replace as necessary. 4. Install in the reverse order of removal. 5. Tighten all necessary nuts and bolts to the specified torque. 6. After installation, check if the horn sounds. If the horn does not sound, remove the air bag module and connect the module connectors. (Refer to section T.) 1. Air bag module 6. Lower panel Removal 1 Installation .......... section T 7. Key interlock cable (Automatic transmission) 2. Locknut 8. Intermediate shaft bolt 3. Steering wheel 9. Steering shaft w ............... Removal Note page N-10 Disassembly 1 Inspection / 4. Column cover Assembly .................. page N-10 5. Combination switch Removal / Installation .......... section T Gartner Banana

N MANUAL STEERING STEERING GEAR AND LINKAGE Removal / Installation 1. Turn the wheels to the straight-ahead position. 2. Loosen the wheel lug nuts. 4 3. On level ground, jack up the front of the vehicle and support it on safety stands. 4. Remove the wheel. Note Turning the steering wheel while the steering gear is removed will make reinstallation difficult. Do not turn the steering wheel while the steering gear is removed. If the steering wheel is turned in that condi- tion, the clockspring connector may have to be adjusted. (Refer to section T.) 5. Remove the undercover. 6. With the wheels in the straight-ahead position, remove in the order shown in the figure. 7. Install in the reverse order of removal. 8. Adjust the front wheel alignment. (Refer to section R.) 1. Cotter pin 4. Intermediate shaft bolt 5. Mounting bracket bolt .i 2. Nut 3. Tie-rod endlsteering knuckle 6. Steering gear and linkage Removal Note . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page N-7 Gartner Banana

N MANUAL STEERING LOWER BEARING 1 IT-71 GEAR HOUSING FACE NSK MARK DOWNWARD 15UONX-018 VENTILATION HOLE 95AONX-02; RACK CENTRAL POSITION 95AONX-025 N-16 Lower bearing 1. Apply grease to a new lower bearing. 2. Set the lower bearing onto the pinion shaft so that the NSK mark on the bearing faces downward. u 3. Insert the pinion shaft together with the lower bearing. 4. Press the pinion shaft to seat the lower bearing. 5. Apply grease to the inside of the gear housing as shown. Rack 1. Secure the mounting bracket in a vise. 2. Apply grease to the rack bushing. 3. Apply grease to the rack teeth and the sliding surface. Caution Do not plug the ventilation holes with the grease. Caution Installing the rack from the tube side can damage the rack bushing by dragging the rack teeth across it. When installing the rack, install it slowly and carefully. 4. Slide the rack in from the tube side. Pinion shaft 1. Apply grease to the inner race of the upper bearing and install it to the pinion shaft. 2. Apply grease to the teeth of the pinion shaft. 3. Turn the flat section of the rack toward the pinion, and insert the pinion. Gartner Banana