Mazda MX-5 Miata (1997+). Manual - part 87

frame mounting bolts. Remove steering gear and linkage from vehicle. On MPV, remove steering gear 
bracket-to-frame mounting bolts. Remove steering gear and linkage with steering bracket from vehicle. 
Remove 4 steering gear-to-bracket bolts and separate gear from bracket.  

4. On all models, to install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts to specification. See TORQUE 

SPECIFICATIONS table. On MPV, tighten steering gear-to-bracket bolts in sequence: left front, right 
front, left rear, right rear. On all models, fill and bleed power steering system. Check and adjust front 
wheel alignment. See SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.  

Removal & Installation (Millenia) 

1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Support engine using Engine Support (49-G017-5A0 ). Raise and 

support front of vehicle. Remove front wheel assemblies. Remove cotter pins and castle nuts from tie rod 
ends.  

2. Using Puller Set (49-T028-3A0 ), separate tie rod ends from steering knuckles. Remove transverse 

member bolts and remove transverse member. See Fig. 6 Disconnect pressure and return line connections 
from steering gear. Remove intermediate shaft pinch bolt.  

3. Reference mark lower steering column-to-intermediate shaft. Remove engine mount member. Remove 

No. 1 engine mount bolts. Remove upper lateral link bolt and separate upper lateral link from 
crossmember. Remove lower control arm-to-crossmember mounting bolt and gusset. Separate lower 
control arm from crossmember.  

4. Remove stabilizer link-to-lower control arm nut. Separate stabilizer link from lower control arm. Using a 

jack, support front suspension crossmember. Remove crossmember retaining nuts. Carefully lower 
crossmember. Disconnect stabilizer link from stabilizer bar. Remove stabilizer bar brackets, bushings and 
stabilizer bar. Remove steering gear mounting nuts. Remove steering gear assembly.  

5. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

table. Tighten steering gear mounting nuts in sequence: right front, left rear, right rear, left front. Fill and 
bleed power steering system. Check and adjust front wheel alignment. See SPECIFICATIONS & 
PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT. 

 

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata 

STEERING SYSTEM - POWER RACK & PINION 1997 STEERING Mazda Power Rack & Pinion

  

Fig. 6: Removing Steering Gear Assembly (Millenia) 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 

Removal & Installation (MX-3 & Protege) 

1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Raise and support front of vehicle. Remove front wheel assemblies. 

Remove engine undercover. Remove cotter pins and castle nuts from tie rod ends.  

2. Using Puller Set (49-T028-3A0 ), separate tie rod ends from steering knuckles. On MX-3 DOHC, remove 

support bracket bolt, nut and rubber insulator. Remove steering gear insulator bolts and remove insulator. 
On all models, remove intermediate shaft dust cover.  

3. Mark steering column intermediate shaft-to-steering column gear pinion for installation reference. 

Remove steering column intermediate shaft-to-steering gear pinion shaft bolt. Disconnect pressure and 
return line connections from steering gear.  

4. On M/T, remove mounting nuts and bolts from extension bar and control rod. Remove extension rod and 

control rod. On all models, remove steering gear mounting nuts. Remove steering gear and linkage from 

 

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata 

STEERING SYSTEM - POWER RACK & PINION 1997 STEERING Mazda Power Rack & Pinion

  

vehicle through passenger side wheelwell. 

5. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts and nuts to specification. See TORQUE 

SPECIFICATIONS table. Tighten steering gear mounting nuts in sequence: left rear, right rear, left 
front, right front. Fill and bleed power steering system. Check and adjust front wheel alignment. See 
SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.  

Removal & Installation (MX-6 & 626) 

1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Raise and support front of vehicle. Remove front wheel assemblies. 

Remove cotter pins and castle nuts from tie rod ends.  

2. Using Puller Set (49-T028-3A0 ), separate tie rod ends from steering knuckles. On 2.5L engines, remove 

transverse member bolts and remove transverse crossmember. Remove front exhaust pipe and catalytic 
converter assembly nuts and remove assembly.  

3. On all models, support engine using Engine Support (49-G017-5A0 ), and remove engine mount. Mark 

steering column intermediate shaft-to-steering column gear pinion for installation reference. Remove 
steering column intermediate shaft-to-steering gear pinion shaft bolt.  

4. Disconnect pressure and return line connections from steering gear. Remove steering gear mounting nuts. 

Remove steering gear and linkage from vehicle through passenger's side wheelwell.  

5. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

table. Tighten steering gear mounting nuts in sequence: left front, right front, right rear, left rear. Fill and 
bleed power steering system. Check and adjust front wheel alignment. See SPECIFICATIONS & 
PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.  

Removal & Installation (RX7) 

1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Raise and support front of vehicle. Remove front wheel assemblies. 

Remove engine undercover. Remove cotter pins and castle nuts from tie rod ends. Using Puller Set (49-
T028-3A0 ), separate tie rod ends from steering knuckles.  

2. Remove stabilizer bar-to-frame bolts and brackets. Disconnect pressure and return line connections from 

steering gear. Mark steering column intermediate shaft-to-steering column gear pinion for installation 
reference.  

3. Remove steering column intermediate shaft-to-steering gear pinion shaft bolt. Remove steering gear 

mounting bolts. Support crossmember with jack and remove crossmember nuts and bolts. Slowly lower 
jack and remove steering gear and linkage from vehicle.  

4. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts and nuts to specification. See TORQUE 

SPECIFICATIONS table. Tighten steering gear mounting bolts in sequence: left rear, right rear, left 
front, right front. Fill and bleed power steering system. Check and adjust front wheel alignment. See 
SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.  

Removal & Installation (929) 

1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Raise and support front of vehicle. Remove front wheel assemblies. 

Remove engine undercover. Remove cotter pins and castle nuts from tie rod ends. Using Puller Set (49-
T028-3A0 ), separate tie rod ends from steering knuckles.  

2. Disconnect pressure and return line connections from steering gear. Mark steering column intermediate 

 

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata 

STEERING SYSTEM - POWER RACK & PINION 1997 STEERING Mazda Power Rack & Pinion

  

shaft-to-steering column gear pinion for installation reference. Remove steering column intermediate 
shaft-to-steering gear pinion shaft bolt. Remove steering gear mounting nuts. Remove steering gear and 
linkage from vehicle.  

3. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts and nuts to specification. See TORQUE 

SPECIFICATIONS table. Tighten steering gear mounting nuts in sequence: left rear, left front, right 
front, right rear. Fill and bleed power steering system. Check and adjust front wheel alignment. See 
SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.  

POWER STEERING PUMP 

Removal & Installation 

1. Remove drive belt. On Millenia, MPV, MX-6, RX7, 626 and 929, remove pulley lock nut and remove 

pulley from pump. On all models, disconnect power steering pressure switch electrical connector (if 
equipped).  

2. Place reference marks on steering pump and pressure line fitting for reassembly. Disconnect pressure and 

return line connections from steering pump. Remove pump-to-bracket bolts and nuts. Remove pump from 
vehicle.  

3. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts and nuts to specification. See TORQUE 

SPECIFICATIONS table. Adjust belt tension. See POWER STEERING PUMP BELT under 
ADJUSTMENTS. Bleed air from system. Inspect system for leaks.  

OVERHAUL 

STEERING GEAR 

Disassembly & Reassembly 

1. Remove steering gear assembly. See STEERING GEAR under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. As an 

aid to disassembly and reassembly, use illustrations. See Fig. 7 -16 . For reassembly reference, keep 
components in order of disassembly. Replace worn or damaged components as necessary.  

2. On 1996-97 Miata, after installing valve housing, check clearance between gear housing and valve 

housing. See PINION SHAFT & VALVE HOUSING ASSEMBLY under ADJUSTMENT. Adjust 
clearance as necessary. On all models, after steering rack reassembly, but before installing tie rods, check 
pinion preload. See PINION PRELOAD under ADJUSTMENTS. 

NOTE:

Use a suitable container or rags to collect fluid when disconnecting pressure 
and return lines.

 

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata 

STEERING SYSTEM - POWER RACK & PINION 1997 STEERING Mazda Power Rack & Pinion