Steering System - Power: Removal & Installation — Steering System - Power — Manual & Power Steering

Steering System - Power: Removal & Installation Mazda MX-6 I

Removal & Installation

Disconnect negative battery cable. Raise and support front of vehicle. Remove front wheel assemblies. Remove cotter pins and castle nuts from tie rod ends.
Using Puller (49-0118-850C ), separate tie rod ends from steering knuckles. On 2.5L engines, remove transverse member bolts and remove transverse crossmember. Remove front exhaust pipe and catalytic converter assembly nuts and remove assembly.
On all models, support engine using Engine Support (49-G017-5A0 ), and remove engine mount. Remove steering column intermediate shaft-to-steering gear pinion shaft bolt.
Disconnect pressure and return line connections from steering gear. Remove steering gear mounting nuts. Remove steering gear and linkage from vehicle through passenger's side wheelwell.
To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-53972-S37720577532001011600000) table. Tighten steering gear mounting nuts in sequence: left front, right front, right rear, left rear. Fill and bleed system. Check and adjust front wheel alignment. See WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in the WHEEL ALIGNMENT section. «WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES»(ref-41759) - MX-6. «WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES»(ref-41790) - 626.

Remove drive belt. Remove idler pulley lock nut and remove idler pulley from pump. Disconnect power steering pressure switch electrical connector (if equipped). Place reference marks on steering pump and pressure line fitting for reassembly. Disconnect pressure and return line connections from steering pump. Remove pump-to-bracket bolts and nuts. Remove pump from vehicle.
To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts and nuts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-53972-S37720577532001011600000) table. Adjust belt tension. See «POWER STEERING PUMP BELT»(ref-53972-S13810205512001011600000) under ADJUSTMENTS. Bleed air from system. Inspect system for leaks.