Steering Shaft Inspection

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Inspect the following, and replace the column component as necessary.
1. Column bearing damage.
  
  Fig 1: Inspecting Column Bearing Damage
  Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
2. Steering shaft length.
  Length
  1. 593.8-595.8 mm {23.38-23.45 in}