Removal and Installation

All Vehicles 

Fig 1: Installing Bolt

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

1. Remove the rear transaxle insulator.
   1. Remove the bolts and nuts.
   2. Remove the rear transaxle insulator.

      Vehicles Equipped With Automatic Transaxle 

      Fig 2: Removing Rear Transaxle Insulator

      Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
2. Remove the bolts and the rear transaxle insulator bracket.

   All Vehicles 

   Fig 3: Removing Power Steering Pressure & Return Line Bracket Bolts

   Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
3. Remove the power steering pressure and return line bracket bolts.
4. Remove the front wheels. Refer to WHEEL AND TIRE .

   Vehicles Equipped With Manual Transaxle 

   Fig 4: Removing Bolts & Rear Transaxle Insulator Bracket

   Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
5. Remove the bolts and the rear transaxle insulator bracket.

   All Vehicles 

   Fig 5: Removing Tie Rod End Nut

   Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
   NOTE:

   • LH side shown, RH similar.
6. Remove the tie rod end nut.
   1. Remove the cotter pin.
   2. Remove the nut.
      Fig 6: Removing Tie Rod End From Knuckle Using Tool

      Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
   NOTE:

   • LH side shown, RH similar.
7. Using the special tool, separate the tie rod end from the knuckle.
   Fig 7: Removing Tie Rod Ends & Tie Rod End Jam Nuts

   Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
   NOTE:

   • Record the number of turns required to remove the tie rod end.
8. Remove the tie rod ends and the tie rod end jam nuts.
   Fig 8: Removing Steering Gear Coupling Pinch Bolt

   Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
9. Remove the steering gear coupling pinch bolt.
   1. Slide the boot up.
   2. Remove the steering gear coupling pinch bolt.
   Fig 9: Disconnecting Power Steering Pressure & Return Lines

   Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
   NOTE:

   • Drain the excess power steering fluid into a suitable drain pan.
   NOTE:

   • Do not drop the O-ring seals.
10. Disconnect the power steering pressure and return lines.
    1. Remove the bolt.
    2. Disconnect the power steering pressure and return lines.
11. Lower the vehicle on the hoist.
    Fig 10: Removing Steering Shaft

    Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
12. Remove the steering shaft.
    Fig 11: Removing Steering Shaft Boot

    Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
13. Remove the steering shaft boot.
    1. Remove the nuts.
    2. Remove the steering shaft boot.
       Fig 12: Removing Two Steering Gear Mounting Bolts

       Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
       NOTE:

       • LH shown; RH similar.
14. Remove the two steering gear mounting bolts.
15. Raise the vehicle on the hoist.
    NOTE:

    • With the mounting bolts removed, slide the gear forward to separate the steering coupling from the steering gear shaft.
16. Remove the steering gear.