MAZDA MX-5 1997 Factory Repair Manual

2. Disconnect diagnostic module connectors located at base of steering column and connect Short Circuit
Connectors (49-H066-004 ) to diagnostic module harness connectors. See Fig. 3
.
ACTIVATING SYSTEM (MX-3, RX7 & 929)
1. Ensure negative battery cable is still disconnected. Remove short circuit connectors from diagnostic
module harness connectors. See Fig. 3
. Reconnect diagnostic module harness connectors to diagnostic
module.
2. Reconnect negative battery cable. Turn ignition on. Check AIR BAG warning light to ensure air bag
system is operating properly. See SYSTEM OPERATION CHECK
. Activate audio anti-theft function
(if equipped).
Fig. 1: Disconnecting Clockspring Connectors (Typical)

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
STEERING COLUMN 1995-97 STEERING Mazda Motors Corp. - Steering Columns
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:40:02 PMPage 3 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Fig. 2: Disconnecting Passenger Air Bag Module Connectors (Typical)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
STEERING COLUMN 1995-97 STEERING Mazda Motors Corp. - Steering Columns
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:40:02 PMPage 4 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Fig. 3: Connecting Short Circuit Connectors (Typical)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
ADJUSTMENTS
CLOCKSPRING CENTERING
Set front wheels in straight-ahead position. Rotate clockspring clockwise until it stops (DO NOT force). Rotate
clockspring 2 3/4 turns counterclockwise. Rotate clockspring further, if necessary, to align arrows on
clocksprin
g and outer housing. See Fig. 4 .

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
STEERING COLUMN 1995-97 STEERING Mazda Motors Corp. - Steering Columns
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:40:02 PMPage 5 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Fig. 4: Centering Clockspring
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE
Removal
Before proceeding, follow air bag service precautions. See SERVICE PRECAUTIONS . Disable air bag
system. Refer to AIR BAG DISABLING & ACTIVATING
. Remove air bag module bolts or nuts from back
of steering wheel. Disconnect driver air bag module harness connector(s) and support rope. Remove driver air
bag module.
Installation
WARNING:To avoid injury from accidental air bag deployment, read and carefully
follow all WARNINGS and SERVICE PRECAUTIONS
.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
STEERING COLUMN 1995-97 STEERING Mazda Motors Corp. - Steering Columns
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:40:02 PMPage 6 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten driver air bag module bolts or nuts to specification. See
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
table. Activate air bag system. See AIR BAG DISABLING &
ACTIVATING . Check AIR BAG warning light to ensure system is functioning properly. See SYSTEM
OPERATION CHECK .
STEERING WHEEL
Removal
Set front wheels in straight-ahead position. Disconnect negative battery cable. Disable air bag system. See AIR
BAG DISABLING & ACTIVATING . Remove driver air bag module. See DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE .
Mark steering wheel and shaft for reassembly reference. Remove steering wheel nut. Using appropriate puller,
remove steering wheel.
Installation
Ensure front wheels are in straight-ahead position. Install steering wheel, ensuring reference marks are aligned.
Tighten steering wheel nut to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
table. To install remaining
components, reverse removal procedure.
COMBINATION SWITCH
Removal
1. Before proceeding, follow air bag service precautions. See SERVICE PRECAUTIONS. Disable air bag
system. See AIR BAG DISABLING & ACTIVATING
.
2. Remove driver air bag module. See DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE
. Remove steering wheel. See
STEERING WHEEL
. Remove upper and lower steering column covers. Disconnect combination
switch electrical connectors. Remove combination switch screws.
3. Remove clockspring and combination switch as an assembly. Separate clockspring from combination
switch.
Installation
1. To install, reverse removal procedure. Ensure front wheels are in straight-ahead position. Before
installing steering wheel, center clockspring. See CLOCKSPRING CENTERING
under
ADJUSTMENTS. Tighten steering wheel nut to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
table.
2. After installation, activate air bag system. See AIR BAG DISABLING & ACTIVATING
. Check AIR
BAG warning light to ensure system is functioning properly. See SYSTEM OPERATION CHECK
.
IGNITION SWITCH/STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY
Removal & Installation
1. Remove driver air bag module, steering wheel and combination switch. See the following:
DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
STEERING COLUMN 1995-97 STEERING Mazda Motors Corp. - Steering Columns
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:40:02 PMPage 7 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

STEERING WHEEL .
COMBINATION SWITCH .
Disconnect ignition switch connectors. Remove key interlock cable from ignition switch/steering lock
assembly (if equipped).
2. Using a hammer and chisel, make a groove in ignition switch/steering lock assembly shear screws.
Remove 2 shear screws with screwdriver. Remove ignition switch/steering lock assembly. To install,
reverse removal procedure. Tighten NEW shear screws until heads break off.
STEERING COLUMN
Removal & Installation
1. Remove driver air bag module, steering wheel and combination switch. See the following:
DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE .
STEERING WHEEL .
COMBINATION SWITCH .
See Fig. 5
-11 . Remove ignition switch/steering lock assembly. See IGNITION SWITCH/STEERING
LOCK ASSEMBLY under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
2. Remove lower panel. Remove air duct (if equipped). Remove "U" joint dust cover (if equipped). Remove
steering shaft assembly-to-intermediate shaft "U" joint bolt. Mark steering shaft assembly-to-intermediate
shaft for installation reference. On MPV, disconnect shift lever mechanism.
3. On all models, remove steering column lower mounting bolts. Separate steering shaft from intermediate
shaft. Remove steering column upper bracket bolts. Remove steering column.
4. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts and nuts to specification. See TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS table. CAUTION: Excessive pressure or impact to steering shaft assembly during service
may cause column to collapse.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
STEERING COLUMN 1995-97 STEERING Mazda Motors Corp. - Steering Columns
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:40:02 PMPage 8 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Fig. 5: Exploded View Of Steering Column (Miata)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
STEERING COLUMN 1995-97 STEERING Mazda Motors Corp. - Steering Columns
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:40:02 PMPage 9 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Fig. 6: Exploded View Of Steering Column (Millenia)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
STEERING COLUMN 1995-97 STEERING Mazda Motors Corp. - Steering Columns
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:40:02 PMPage 10 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Fig. 7: Exploded View Of Steering Column (MPV)

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
STEERING COLUMN 1995-97 STEERING Mazda Motors Corp. - Steering Columns
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:40:02 PMPage 11 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Fig. 8: Exploded View Of Steering Column (MX
-3 & Protege)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
STEERING COLUMN 1995-97 STEERING Mazda Motors Corp. - Steering Columns
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:40:02 PMPage 12 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.