Reassembly (RX7 & 626)
- Apply lithium grease to rack end lower bearing, inside of gear housing, lip of oil seal, sliding and backing surface of rack support, sliding surface of rack bushing, rack pinion teeth and ball joint of tie rods.
- Press rack end lower bearing into place. Carefully install steering rack from pinion end of housing. Insert pinion with the notched edge of rack at central position of pinion. See Fig 1.
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
- Apply grease to upper bearing and rear cover/oil seal. Install rear cover/oil seal and lock nut. Apply sealant to threaded part of lock nut.
- Using a spring scale and Adapter (49-0180-510B), measure pinion gear preload. Install adapter to gear shaft. Scale should read 8-11 INCH lbs. (.9-1.3 N.m). Loosen rear cover. Adjust pinion torque to 1.74-2.6 INCH lbs. (.2-.3 N.m).
- Tighten pinion shaft lock nut to 29-43 ft. lbs (39-59 N.m) for the RX7 and 51-65 ft. lbs. (69-88 N.m) for the 626. Recheck pinion torque. Readjust as necessary. Move rack so that the pinion gear is set in center position of rack gear. See Fig 2.
- Install pressure pad and spring. Coat adjustment cover with sealant. Install adjustment cover. Tighten cover to 86 INCH lbs. (10 N.m). Loosen adjustment cover. Tighten cover to 2.6 INCH lbs. (3 N.m). Back off adjustment cover 0-15 degrees.
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
- Install and tighten lock nut to 43-54 ft. lbs. (59-75 N.m). With pinion in the neutral position and using a spring scale and Adapter (49 0180 510B), measure pinion torque. Neutral pinion torque specifications should be .6-.9 INCH lbs. (.7-1 N.m). In any other position torque should be .6-1.3 INCH lbs. (.7-1.5 N.m).
- To complete reassembly, reverse disassembly procedure. Install new oil seal and dust cover. Install and adjust tie rod ends to .047" (12 mm). See Fig 3.
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.