Mazda 2: Steering Wheel and Column

STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN INSPECTION

Play inspection

1. With the wheels in the straight-ahead position, start the engine.

2. Turn the steering wheel to the left and right gently, then verify that the steering wheel play is within the specification.

Steering wheel play

• 0.0-30 mm {0.0-1.1 in}

Looseness, Excessive Play Inspection

1. Inspect the steering wheel for looseness or excessive play in the axial direction of the shaft and four locations around the steering wheel.

• If there is any malfunction, inspect the following, and repair or replace the applicable part.
  • Column bearing wear
  • Looseness of the steering wheel installation part
  • Looseness of the column installation area
  • Excessive play in the intermediate shaft joint
  • Excessive play in the steering gear

Steering Force Inspection

1. Verify that the equipped tire size and tire air pressure is as specified.

2. With the vehicle on a hard, level surface, put the wheels in the straight-ahead position.

3. Remove the driver-side air bag module. (See DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG MODULE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION).

WARNING:

• Handling the air bag module improperly can accidentally operate (deploy) the air bag module, which may seriously injure you. Read the service warnings and cautions before handling the air bag module. (See AIR BAG SYSTEM SERVICE WARNINGS). (See AIR BAG SYSTEM SERVICE CAUTIONS).

4. Start the engine and idle it.

5. Verify that the EPS warning light is not illuminated or flashing.

6. Inspect the steering torque using a torque wrench.

• If it exceeds the reference value, inspect the steering gear and linkage. (See STEERING GEAR AND LINKAGE INSPECTION).

Steering wheel steering force (reference)

• 7.8 N*m {80 kgf*cm, 69 in*lbf} or less

NOTE:

• Comparing another vehicle of the same model under the same conditions is an acceptable inspection method.
• The steering torque varies with the conditions indicated below.
  • Road conditions: Such as dry, wet, asphalt, or concrete
  • Tire condition: Such as brand, wear, and tire pressure

STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN REMOVAL/INSTALLATION

WARNING:

• Handling the air bag module improperly can accidentally operate (deploy) the air bag module, which may seriously injure you. Read the service warnings and cautions before handling the air bag module. (See AIR BAG SYSTEM SERVICE WARNINGS). (See AIR BAG SYSTEM SERVICE CAUTIONS).
• The steering column (EPS motor) temperature increases directly after continuous turning of the steering mechanism which could cause burns if it is touched. Before performing any servicing, verify that the steering column has cooled off.

CAUTION:

• If work is performed such as the removal/installation of the steering column, disconnection of the intermediate shaft, or disconnection of the steering gear (pinion shaft), the EPS will not operate properly if the installation is performed with the steering shaft rotated 360 degrees by mistake. If the steering gear (pinion shaft) is disengaged, make sure that the steering shaft does not rotate (hold in place) until the intermediate shaft is installed to the steering gear (pinion shaft).
• If the EPS CM configuration is not completed, the EPS will not operate properly. If the steering column (EPS CM) is replaced, always perform the EPS CM configuration so that the EPS operates properly.
• If the EPS steering angle calibration is not completed, the EPS will not operate properly. After completing the following work, if the
  • EPS warning light illuminates or flashes when the steering wheel is turned lock-to-lock with the engine started, always carry out the
  • EPS steering angle calibration so that the EPS operates properly.

    Steering column (EPS CM) removal/installation Intermediate shaft disconnection

• If the steering column is dropped it could result in internal damage to the EPS CM, therefore be careful not to drop it. Replace the steering column if it is subjected to an impact.

NOTE:

• Each one of two types of torque sensors, optical type or magnetostrictive type, is integrated in the steering column.
• If the steering column is removed/installed or replaced, or if the intermediate shaft is disconnected, record the identification number indicated on the label affixed to the position shown in the figure before starting installation.
• Each type is identified as follows:
  • If the identification number meets any of the following conditions, the torque sensor is an optical type:
    • First four digits are "HA22" or before.
    • First four digits are "HA23" and the last number of the identification number is "1" (day-shift production). In addition, the lot number is between 1 and 330 (identification number is from HA23C001C1 to HA23C330C1).
  • If the identification number meets any of the following conditions, the torque sensor is a magnetostrictive type:
    • First four digits are "HA23" and the last number of the identification number is "1" (day-shift production). In addition, the lot number is 331 or later (identification number is HA23C331C1 or later).
    • First four digits are "HA23" and the last number of the identification number is "2" (night-shift production).

      First four digits are "HA24" or later.

• The identification number on the label affixed to the steering column indicates the following.

1. Remove the shift lever knob (MTX vehicles). (See MANUAL TRANSAXLE SHIFT MECHANISM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION).

2. Remove the side wall. (See SIDE WALL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION).

3. Remove the front console component. (See FRONT CONSOLE COMPONENT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION).

4. Remove the front scuff plate (LH). (See FRONT SCUFF PLATE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION).

5. Remove the front side trim (LH). (See FRONT SIDE TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION).

6. Disconnect the hood release lever from the lower panel. (See HOOD LATCH AND RELEASE LEVER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION).

7. Remove the lower panel. (See LOWER PANEL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION).

8. Remove the heat duct (LH). (See HEAT DUCT COMPONENT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION).

9. Remove in the order indicated in the table.

10. Install in the reverse order of removal.

11. After installation, perform the following procedure.

Replacing the steering column

1. Perform the configuration for the EPS CM. (See EPS CONTROL MODULE CONFIGURATION).
2. Start the engine, and verify that the EPS warning light flashes.
3. Turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock, and then position the wheels in the straight-ahead position.
4. Verify that the EPS warning light turns off.

Steering column removal/installation or intermediate shaft disconnection

1. Start the engine and turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock.
2. If the EPS warning light illuminates or flashes, perform the EPS steering angle calibration. (See EPS STEERING ANGLE CALIBRATION).

1. Driver-side air bag module
2. Lock bolt
3. Steering wheel
4. Column cover
5. Clock spring, combination switch
6. Steering shaft cover
7. Interlock cable (ATX vehicles)
8. Steering column component
9. Steering lock mounting bolt
10. Steering lock component
11. Coil antenna
12. Key cylinder
13. Ignition switch
14. Steering lock
15. Steering column

Steering Wheel Removal Note

CAUTION:

• Do not try to remove the steering wheel by hitting the shaft with a hammer. The steering column will be damaged.

1. Set the vehicle wheels in the straight-ahead position.

2. Remove the steering wheel using any commercially available puller.

Steering Column Component Removal Note

CAUTION:

• The EPS will not operate correctly if the steering shaft is installed after it has been rotated once accidentally. When the steering column is not replaced, be careful not to rotate the steering shaft (hold it in place) until it has been installed.
• Always lock the tilt lever to prevent damage to the steering column. In addition, do not unlock the tilt lever until after the steering column installation is completed.
• If the steering column is removed, remove it according to the procedure to prevent damage to intermediate shaft that could result if the steering column is removed in the incorrect order.

1. Secure the steering shaft and the column area using a cord or tape to prevent the steering shaft from rotating.

2. Lock the tilt lever.

3. Remove the bolt, disconnect the intermediate shaft from the steering gear (pinion shaft).

4. Remove the nut, and then remove the steering column component from the dashboard member.

Steering Lock Mounting Bolt, Steering Lock Component Removal Note

1. Make grooves in the heads of the steering lock mounting bolts using a small chisel and rotate them counterclockwise while hitting them.

CAUTION:

• To prevent the steering column from being damaged, perform the work carefully avoiding impact when removing the steering lock mounting bolts.

2. Remove the bolts, then remove the steering lock component from the steering column.

Key Cylinder Removal Note

1. Insert the key into the key cylinder and turn it to the ACC position.

2. Insert a pin from the position indicated by the arrow in the figure, and while pressing the lock lever with the pin, remove the key cylinder from the steering lock component.

Key Cylinder Installation Note

1. Insert the key into the key cylinder and turn it to the ACC position.

2. Install the key cylinder to the steering lock.

Steering Lock Component, Steering Lock Mounting Bolt Installation Note

1. Temporarily install the steering lock component to the steering column using a new steering lock mounting bolt.

2. Tighten the steering lock mounting bolt until the head breaks off.

Steering Column Component Installation Note

CAUTION:

• If the steering column is installed, install it according to the procedure to prevent damage to intermediate shaft that could result if the steering column is installed in the incorrect order.
• Do not unlock the tilt lever until after the steering column installation is completed to prevent damage to the steering column.

1. Temporarily install the steering column component to the dashboard member using nuts A and B.

2. Tighten the nuts in the order of nut A and nut B.

3. Insert the intermediate shaft into the steering gear (pinion shaft) to the position shown in the figure, and tighten it using a new bolt.

Steering Wheel Installation Note

1. Set the vehicle wheels in the straight-ahead position, and install the steering wheel using a new lockbolt.

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