Steering Gear: Installation

All Vehicles 

1. Position the steering gear in the vehicle.
2. Lower the hoist.
   Fig 1: Installing Two Steering Gear Mounting Bolts

   Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
3. Install the two steering gear mounting bolts.
4. Install the steering shaft boot.
   Fig 2: Installing Steering Shaft

   Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
5. Install the steering shaft.
   Fig 3: Installing Power Steering Pressure & Return Line Bracket Bolts

   Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
6. Install the power steering pressure and return line bracket bolts.
7. Raise the vehicle on the hoist.
   Fig 4: Connecting Power Steering Pressure & Return Lines To Steering Gear

   Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
   NOTE:

   • Make sure the O-ring seals are on the power steering pressure and return lines.
8. Connect the power steering pressure and return lines to the steering gear and install the bolt.
   Fig 5: Installing Steering Gear Coupling Pinch Bolt

   Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
9. Install the steering gear coupling pinch bolt and slide the boot down.
10. Thread the tie rod end jam nuts onto the front wheel spindle tie rods.
    NOTE:

    • Use the numbers recorded from removal to install the tie rod ends.
11. Thread the tie rod ends onto the front wheel spindle tie rods.
    Fig 6: Tightening Tie Rod End Jam Nuts

    Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
12. Tighten the tie rod end jam nuts.
    Fig 7: Connecting Tie Rod End To Knuckle

    Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
    NOTE:

    • LH side shown, RH similar.
13. Connect the tie rod end to the knuckle.
    1. Install the nut.
    2. Install the cotter pin.

       Vehicles Equipped With Manual Transaxle 

       Fig 8: Installing Rear Transaxle Insulator Bracket & Bolts

       Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
14. Install the rear transaxle insulator bracket and the bolts.

    All Vehicles 

15. Install the front wheels. Refer to WHEEL AND TIRE .

    Vehicles Equipped With Automatic Transaxle 

    Fig 9: Installing Rear Transaxle Insulator Bracket & Bolts

    Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
16. Install the rear transaxle insulator bracket and the bolts.

    All Vehicles 

    Fig 10: Installing Rear Transaxle Insulator

    Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
    NOTE:

    • 2.0L Zetec shown, 3.0L (4V) similar.
17. Install the rear transaxle insulator.
18. Fill, bleed and leak check the power steering system. Refer to FILL  .
19. Align the front wheels to specifications. Refer to WHEEL ALIGNMENT .