Service Bulletin

Mazda North American Operations
Irvine, CA 92618-2922

© 2016 Mazda Motor of America, Inc.

Subject:

Bulletin No:

02-009/16

Last Issued:

03/07/2016

STEERING WHEEL OFF CENTER WITHOUT DRIFT OR PULL

MULTI-MODEL - STEERING WHEEL OFF CENTER WITHOUT DRIFT OR PULL

BULLETIN NOTE
This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below: The changes are noted in Red beside the
change bars.

Previously issued TSBs:

Date issued:

02-004/14

11/04/2014

02-004/13

08/22/2013 and 04/10/2013

02-004/12

09/19/2012 and 02/19/13

02-005/10

03/26/10 and 11/05/10

APPLICABLE MODEL(S)/VINS

2011-2016 Mazda2

2003-2016 Mazda6

2007-2012 CX-7

2004-2011 RX-8

2004-2016 Mazda3

2016 CX-3

2007-2016 CX-9

2001-2011 Tribute

2006-2015 Mazda5

2013-2016 CX-5

2006-2016 MX-5

DESCRIPTION
Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3° even when driving straight on
a flat road.

Customers having this concern should have their vehicle repaired using the following repair procedure.
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CONSUMER NOTICE: The information and instructions in this bulletin are intended for use by skilled technicians. Mazda technicians utilize the proper tools/
equipment and take training to correctly and safely maintain Mazda vehicles. These instructions should not be performed by “do-it-yourselfers.” Customers
should not assume this bulletin applies to their vehicle or that their vehicle will develop the described concern. To determine if the information applies,
customers should contact their nearest authorized Mazda dealership. Mazda North American Operations reserves the right to alter the specifications and
contents of this bulletin without obligation or advance notice. All rights reserved. No part of this bulletin may be reproduced in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical---including photocopying and recording and the use of any kind of information storage and retrieval system ---without permission in
writing.

Bulletin No: 02-009/16

Last Issued: 03/07/2016

© 2016 Mazda Motor of America, Inc.

REPAIR PROCEDURE
1. Verify customer concern and make sure there is no drift or pull concern.
• If the steering is pulling to the right or the left, this procedure does not apply. Refer to MS3 online instructions for troubleshooting.
2. Measure the offset using “Measurement of Steering Wheel Offset.”
• If the offset is 3° or less, it is considered normal.
• If the offset is more than 3°, adjust the steering wheel center using “Adjustment of Steering Wheel Center.”
3. Verify repair.
Measurement of Steering Wheel Offset
1. Visually align the steering wheel to its center, then apply tape on the steering wheel and the steering column
cover.

2. Put an alignment mark on the tape.

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Bulletin No: 02-009/16

Last Issued: 03/07/2016

© 2016 Mazda Motor of America, Inc.

3. Drive the vehicle and align the steering wheel to its driving center, then put another mark on the tape.

4. Measure the distance between the two lines. The offset can be approximately calculated using 1mm = 1° of
offset.

Adjustment of Steering Wheel Center
1. Put an alignment mark over the tie-rod end and tie-rod as shown.

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Bulletin No: 02-009/16

Last Issued: 03/07/2016

© 2016 Mazda Motor of America, Inc.

2. Remove the boot clamp (A), then loosen the lock nut (B).

3. Rotate the tie-rod to adjust the steering wheel center. Refer to the following charts for rotating direction.
NOTE: Rotate both sides of the tie-rod by the same amount.
- Steering wheel offset direction and tie-rod rotating direction FRONT WHEEL DRIVE (Vehicles with steering gear mounted to the rear side of the front axle)

Steering wheel offset direction

Tie-rod adjust

Tie-rod rotating direction to adjust

Right

Right side

Tighten the tie-rod towards the tie-rod end to
decrease the length of the tie-rod.

Left

Left side

Loosen the tie-rod from the tie-rod end to
increase the length of the tie-rod.

Right side

Loosen the tie-rod from the tie-rod end to
increase the length of the tie-rod.

Left side

Tighten the tie-rod towards the tie-rod end to
decrease the length of the tie-rod.

Page 4 of 6

Bulletin No: 02-009/16

Last Issued: 03/07/2016

© 2016 Mazda Motor of America, Inc.

REAR WHEEL DRIVE (Vehicles with steering gear mounted to the front side of the front axle)

Steering wheel offset direction

Tie-rod adjust

Right

Right side

Left

Tie-rod rotating direction to adjust
Loosen the tie-rod from the tie-rod end to
increase the length of the tie-rod.

Left side

Tighten the tie-rod towards the tie-rod end to
decrease the length of the tie-rod.

Right side

Tighten the tie-rod towards the tie-rod end to
decrease the length of the tie-rod.

Left side

Loosen the tie-rod from the tie-rod end to
increase the length of the tie-rod.

A: Tie-rod
B: Lock nut
C: Tie-rod end
F: Front of vehicle
1: Turn in this direction to loosen the tie-rod from the tie-rod end and increase the length.
2: Turn in this direction to tighten the tie rod towards the tie-rod end and decrease the length.

Page 5 of 6

Bulletin No: 02-009/16

Last Issued: 03/07/2016

© 2016 Mazda Motor of America, Inc.

- (Reference) Steering wheel offset and tie-rod rotating angle -

Steering wheel offset to adjust

Tie-rod rotating angle

4 mm (approximately 4°)

150°

5 mm (approximately 5°)

180° (half turn)

6 mm (approximately 6°)

210°

7 mm (approximately 7°)

240°

4. Tighten the lock nut. Refer to MS3 online instructions for the tightening torque.
5. Straighten the boot, then attach the boot clamp.
6. Verify repair.

WARRANTY INFORMATION
NOTE:
•
•
•
•

This warranty information applies only to verified customer complaints on vehicles eligible for warranty repair.
This repair will be covered under Mazda’s Service Adjustment Warranty term (12 months/12,000
miles).
Additional diagnostic time cannot be claimed for this repair.
This Service Bulletin cannot be combined with a wheel alignment.

Warranty Type

A

Symptom Code

30

Damage Code

9H

Part Number Main Cause
Quantity
Operation Number / Labor Hours:

5555-FE-001
0
XXF11XAX / 0.4 Hrs.

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