Mazda MX-5 Miata / Grand Touring. Manual - part 149

Fig. 27: Disassembling Oil Seal (Gear Housing Side) 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 

MOUNTING RUBBER DISASSEMBLY NOTE 



Press the mounting rubber out from the gear housing using the SSTs and a press. 

 

2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring 

2008 STEERING Power Steering - MX-5 Miata

  

Fig. 28: Disassembling Mounting Rubber 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 

STEERING GEAR AND LINKAGE INSPECTION 

RACK INSPECTION 

1. Inspect the rack for cracking, damage, and tooth wear. Replace it if necessary.  

2. Measure the runout of the rack. 

Steering rack runout  

Near point A: 0.08 mm {0.003 in} max.  

Near point B: 0.15 mm {0.006 in} max.  

3. If not within the specification, replace the rack. 

 

2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring 

2008 STEERING Power Steering - MX-5 Miata

  

Fig. 29: Measuring Rack Runout 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 

TIE-ROD END INSPECTION 

1. Inspect the tie-rod end for damage and boot cracks. Replace it if necessary.  

2. Inspect the ball joint for looseness. Replace the tie-rod end if necessary.  

3. Rotate the ball joint five times.  

4. Measure the rotation torque of the ball joint using the SST and a pull scale. 

Tie-rod end rotational torque  

0.4-3.0 N.m {3.5-30.5 kgf.cm, 3.1-26.5 in.lbf}  

[Pull scale reading: 3.5-29.9 N {0.35-3.05 kgf, 0.8-6.7 lbf}]  

5. If not within the specification, replace the tie-rod end. 

 

2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring 

2008 STEERING Power Steering - MX-5 Miata

  

Fig. 30: Measuring Rotational Torque Of Ball Joint 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 

TIE ROD INSPECTION 

1. Inspect the tie rod for bending and damage. Replace it if necessary.  

2. Inspect the ball joint for looseness. Replace the tie rod if necessary.  

3. Swing the tie rod five times.  

4. Measure the swinging torque using a pull scale. 

Tie-rod swing torque  

0.1-4.1 N.m {1.1-41.8 kgf.cm, 1.0-36.2 in.lbf}  

[Pull scale reading: 0.6-24.4 N {0.06-2.49 kgf, 0.2-5.4 lbf}]  

5. If not within the specification, replace the tie rod. 

 

2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring 

2008 STEERING Power Steering - MX-5 Miata