Mazda MX-5 Miata (1997+). Manual - part 86

MX-3 (4-Cylinder) 

1. Install and temporarily tighten adjusting cover to 95 INCH lbs. (10.7 N.m). Move steering rack back and 

forth about 3 times, then loosen adjusting cover. Tighten adjusting cover 40-47 INCH lbs (4.5-5.3 N.m) 
then loosen adjusting cover 0-40 degrees. Apply thread sealant to adjusting cover lock nut. Install lock 
nut. Holding adjusting cover in place, tighten lock nut 37-43 ft. lbs. (50-58 N.m).  

2. Center steering rack. Install Preload Adapter (49-0180-510B ) on pinion shaft. See Fig. 3 . Measure 

pinion preload using spring scale. With steering rack in center position, pinion preload should be 2.2-3.0 
lbs. (1.0-1.4 kg). With steering rack in any other position, pinion preload should be a maximum of 3.7 lbs. 
(1.7 kg). If preload is not as specified, repeat steps 1) and 2).  

MX-3 (V6) 

1. Center steering rack. Install and temporarily tighten adjusting cover to 100 INCH lbs. (11.3 N.m), then 

loosen cover. Tighten adjusting cover 40-47 INCH lbs. (4.5-5.3 N.m), then loosen cover 45 degrees.  

2. Install Preload Adapter (49-0180-510B ) on pinion shaft. See Fig. 3 . Measure pinion preload using 

spring scale. With steering rack in center position (plus or minus 90 degrees), preload should be 2.2-2.6 
lbs. (1.0-1.2 kg). With steering rack in any other position, preload should be a maximum of 3.7 lbs. (1.7 
kg).  

3. If preload is as specified, apply thread sealant to adjusting cover lock nut. Install lock nut. Holding 

adjusting cover in place, tighten lock nut 37-43 ft. lbs. (50-58 N.m). If preload is not as specified, repeat 
steps 1) and 2).  

MX-6 & 626 

1. Center steering rack. Install and temporarily tighten adjusting cover to 87 INCH lbs. (9.8 N.m), then 

loosen adjusting cover. Tighten adjusting cover 39-48 INCH lbs (4.4-5.4 N.m) then loosen adjusting 
cover 20 degrees. Apply thread sealant to adjusting cover lock nut. Install lock nut. Holding adjusting 
cover in place, tighten lock nut 37-43 ft. lbs. (50-58 N.m).  

2. Install Preload Adapter (49-0180-510B ) on pinion shaft. See Fig. 3 . Measure pinion preload using 

spring scale. With steering rack in center position (plus or minus 90 degrees), pinion preload should be 
2.8-3.3 lbs. (1.3-1.5 kg). If preload is not as specified, repeat steps 1) and 2).  

RX7 

1. Ensure steering rack is in center position. Using Protractor (49-D032-316 ) and a torque wrench, tighten 

adjusting cover 87 INCH lbs. (9.8 N.m), then loosen adjusting cover 20-25 degrees. See Fig. 2 .  

2. Install Preload Adapter (49-0180-510B ) on pinion shaft. See Fig. 3 . Measure pinion preload using 

spring scale. Pinion preload should be 3.3 lbs. (1.5 kg) maximum.  

3. If preload is not as specified, repeat steps 1) and 2). If preload is as specified, apply thread sealant to 

adjusting cover lock nut. Install lock nut. Holding adjusting cover in place, tighten lock nut 37-50 ft. lbs. 
(50-68 N.m).  

929 

1. Ensure steering rack is in center position. Using Protractor (49-D032-316 ) and a torque wrench, tighten 

 

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata 

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

  

adjusting cover 15-21 ft. lbs. (20-28 N.m), then loosen adjusting cover 25 degrees. See Fig. 2 . 

2. Install Preload Adapter (49-0180-510B ) on pinion shaft. See Fig. 3 . Measure pinion preload using 

spring scale. Pinion preload should be 3.3 lbs. (1.5 kg) maximum.  

3. If preload is not as specified, repeat steps 1) and 2). If preload is as specified, apply thread sealant to 

adjusting cover lock nut. Install lock nut. Holding adjusting cover in place, tighten lock nut 37-50 ft. lbs. 
(50-68 N.m).  

PINION SHAFT & VALVE HOUSING ASSEMBLY 

Miata 

1. With steering rack assembly secured in a vise, pull steering rack out until distance between end of rack 

and end of rack housing is 2.38" (60.5 mm). See Fig. 4 .  

2. If reusing original gear housing, pinion shaft and valve housing, install same number of shims that were 

removed during disassembly procedure. If installing a NEW gear housing, pinion shaft and/or valve 
housing, install same number of shims that were removed during disassembly procedure, and go to next 
step.  

3. Install and tighten valve housing bolts 15-21 ft. lbs. (20-28 N.m). Using a feeler gauge, measure clearance 

between gear housing and valve housing. See Fig. 5 . Add or remove necessary shims until clearance is 
zero.  

Fig. 4: Centering Steering Rack (Miata Shown; Others Are Similar) 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

 

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata 

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

  

Fig. 5: Measuring Gear Housing To Valve Housing Clearance (1996-97 Miata) 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

POWER STEERING PUMP BELT 

BELT ADJUSTMENT SPECIFICATIONS 

Application

(1)

 Deflection In. (mm)

Miata & Protege

New Belt

.31-.35 (8.0-9.0)

Used Belt

.35-.39 (9.0-10.0)

Millenia

2.3L

(2)

2.5L
New Belt

.23-.27 (6.0-7.0)

Used Belt

.27-.31 (7.0-8.0)

MPV

New Belt

.27-.35 (7.0-7.5)

 

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata 

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

  

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION 

STEERING GEAR 

Removal & Installation (Miata & MPV) 

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. Mark steering column 

intermediate shaft-to-steering column gear pinion for installation reference. Remove steering column 
intermediate shaft-to-steering gear pinion shaft bolt. Place reference marks on steering gear and pressure 
line fitting for reassembly.  

3. Disconnect pressure and return line connections from steering gear. On Miata, remove steering gear-to-

Used Belt

.35-.33 (7.5-8.2)

MX-3

4-Cylinder
New Belt

.31-.35 (8.0-9.0)

Used Belt

.35-.39 (9.0-10.0)

V6
New Belt

.23-.27 (6.0-7.0)

Used Belt

.27-.31 (7.0-8.0)

MX-6 & 626

4-Cylinder
New Belt

.30-.35 (7.5-9.0)

Used Belt

.32-.37 (8.1-9.4)

V6
New Belt

.24-.27 (6.0-7.0)

Used Belt

.27-.31 (7.0-8.0)

RX7

New Belt

.14-.16 (3.5-4.0)

Used Belt

.18-.20 (4.5-5.0)

929

New Belt

.23-.25 (5.8-6.3)

Used Belt

.27-.30 (6.9-7.7)

(1)

Belt deflection is measured at midpoint between idler pulley and pump, with 22 lbs. (10 kg.) of 
pressure applied.

(2)

Serpentine belt with an automatic tensioner is used. No adjustment is necessary. If pointer on 
tensioner is not within wear gauge limit, replace belt.

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