Technical
Service Bulletin

Mazda North American Operations
Irvine, CA 92618-2922

Subject:
STEERING WHEEL OFF CENTER WITHOUT DRIFT OR PULL

Bulletin No.: 02-004/19

Last Issued: 01/23/2019

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

Previously issued TSBs: Date(s) issued: Previously issued TSBs:

Date(s) issued:

02-010/18

05/08/18

02-004/13

08/22/13 and 04/10/13

02-009/16

03/07/16

02-004/12

09/19/12 and 02/19/13

02-004/14

11/04/14

02-005/10

03/26/10 and 11/05/10

APPLICABLE MODEL(S)/VINS

2011-2014Mazda2 2003-2019 Mazda6 2007-2012 CX-7 2004-2011 RX-8
2004-2019 Mazda3 2016-2019 CX-3

2007-2019 CX-9 2001-2011 Tribute

2006-2015 Mazda5 2013-2019 CX-5

2006-2019 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.

Page 1 of 8
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.

© 2019 Mazda North American Operations, U.S.A.

Bulletin No.: 02-004/19

Last Issued: 01/23/2019

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 MGSS 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
4. Visually align the steering wheel to its center, then apply tape on the steering wheel and the steering
column cover.

Page 2 of 8
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.

© 2019 Mazda North American Operations, U.S.A.

Bulletin No.: 02-004/19

Last Issued: 01/23/2019

5. Put an alignment mark on the tape.

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

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

Page 3 of 8
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.

© 2019 Mazda North American Operations, U.S.A.

Bulletin No.: 02-004/19

Last Issued: 01/23/2019

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

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

10. 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 -

Page 4 of 8
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.

© 2019 Mazda North American Operations, U.S.A.

Bulletin No.: 02-004/19

Last Issued: 01/23/2019

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

Steering wheel offset direction
Right

Left

Tie-rod
Tie-rod rotating
adjust
direction to adjust
Right Tighten the tie-rod
side towards the tie-rod end
to decrease the length
of the tie-rod.

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

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

Page 5 of 8
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.

© 2019 Mazda North American Operations, U.S.A.

Bulletin No.: 02-004/19

Last Issued: 01/23/2019

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

Steering wheel offset direction
Right

Left

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

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

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

Page 6 of 8
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.

© 2019 Mazda North American Operations, U.S.A.

Bulletin No.: 02-004/19

Last Issued: 01/23/2019

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.

- (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°
11. Tighten the lock nut. Refer to MGSS online instructions for the tightening torque.
12. Straighten the boot, then attach the boot clamp.
13. Verify repair.

Page 7 of 8
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.

© 2019 Mazda North American Operations, U.S.A.

Bulletin No.: 02-004/19

Last Issued: 01/23/2019

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
5555-FE-001
Quantity
0
Operation Number / Labor Hours: XXF11XAX / 0.4 Hrs.

Page 8 of 8
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.

© 2019 Mazda North American Operations, U.S.A.