Steering Shaft Inspection

WARNING:

Handling the driver-side air bag module improperly can accidentally deploy the air bag module, which may seriously injure you. Read the air bag system service warnings and cautions before handling the air bag module. (See AIR BAG SYSTEM SERVICE WARNINGS [TWO-STEP DEPLOYMENT CONTROL SYSTEM - US/CANADA SPEC.] .) (See AIR BAG SYSTEM SERVICE CAUTIONS [TWO-STEP DEPLOYMENT CONTROL SYSTEM - US/CANADA SPEC.] .)

Disconnect the negative battery terminal and wait for 1 min or more. (See NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL DISCONNECTION/CONNECTION .)
Remove the driver-side air bag module. (See DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG MODULE REMOVAL [TWO-STEP DEPLOYMENT CONTROL SYSTEM - US/CANADA SPEC.] .) (See DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG MODULE INSTALLATION [TWO-STEP DEPLOYMENT CONTROL SYSTEM - US/CANADA SPEC.] .)
Straighten the steering wheel.
Remove the locknut.

Fig 1: Steering Wheel Locknut With Torque Specification
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Remove the steering wheel using any commercially available puller.
CAUTION:
- Do not try to remove the steering wheel by hitting the shaft with a hammer. The steering column will be damaged.
Remove the following parts:
1. Selector lever knob (AT vehicles) (See AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT MECHANISM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
2. Shift lever knob (MT vehicles) (See TRANSMISSION REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [M66M-D] .)
3. Shift panel component (See SHIFT PANEL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
4. Upper panel (See UPPER PANEL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
5. Parking brake lever boot panel (See PARKING BRAKE LEVER BOOT PANEL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
6. Rear console (See REAR CONSOLE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
7. Front console panel (See FRONT CONSOLE PANEL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
8. Front console component (See FRONT CONSOLE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
9. Driver-side scuff plate (See SCUFF PLATE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
10. Driver-side front side trim (See FRONT SIDE TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
11. Driver-side A-pillar trim (See A-PILLAR TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
12. Hood release lever (See HOOD RELEASE LEVER AND RELEASE CABLE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
13. Driver-side lower panel (See DRIVER-SIDE LOWER PANEL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
14. Passenger-side scuff plate (See SCUFF PLATE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
15. Passenger-side front side trim (See FRONT SIDE TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
16. Passenger-side A-pillar trim (See A-PILLAR TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
17. Passenger-side lower panel (See PASSENGER-SIDE LOWER PANEL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
18. Center panel No. 2 (See CENTER PANEL No. 2 REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
19. Column cover (See COLUMN COVER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
Inspect the steering column bearing for looseness and damage.
- If there is any malfunction, replace the steering column. (See STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
Verify that the distance from the capsule end to the bracket end shown in the illustration is within the standard.

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

Standard B

49.6-52.4 mm {1.96-2.06 in}
- If not within the standard, replace the steering column. (See STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
  NOTE:
  - If not within the standard, the steering column need to be replaced because the shock-absorbing mechanism of the steering column operated.