Mazda MX-5 1990 Workshop Manual page 430

MANUAL STEERING
N
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
Problem Possible Cause Action
Page/Section
Steering heavy Poor lubrication, foreign material, or abnormal wear of
Lubricate or replace N-12
steering ball joint
Stuck or damaged lower arm ball joints Replace Section R
Improper steering pinion preload
Replace gear N-12
Damaged steering gear Replace N-12
Malfunction of steering shaft joint
Replace
N- 9
Improperly adjusted wheel alignment Adjust Section R
Malfunctioning steering gear Replace N-12
Incorrect tire pressure Adjust Section
Q
Steering wheel pulls to Incorrect tire pressure Adjust Section
Q
one side Unevenly worn tires Replace Section
Q
Weak front spring Replace Section R
Worn or damaged stabilizer and/or suspension arm Replace Section R
bushings
Dragging brake
Repair Section P
Loose lower arm Tighten Section R
Improperly adjusted wheel alignment Adjust
Section R
General instability while Incorrect tire pressure Adjust Section 0
driving
Damaged or unbalanced wheel Adjust or replace Section
Q
Worn or damaged steering joints Replace N- 9
Improper steering pinion preload Replace gear N-12
Weak front coil spring Replace Section R
Worn or damaged stabilizer and/or suspension arm Replace Section R
bushings
Malfunctioning shock absorber Replace Section R
Improperly adjusted wheel alignment Adjust Section R
Shake (Steering wheel Excessive tire and/or wheel runout Replace Section 0
vibrates up/down) Loose lug nuts Tighten Section
Q
Unbalanced wheel(s) Adjust or replace Section
Q
Cracked or worn engine mount rubber Replace Section B
Cracked or worn transmission mount rubber Replace Section J
Shimmy (Steering wheel Cracked or worn steering gear mount rubber Replace N-12
vibrates left/right) Loose steering gear mounting bolts Tighten N-12
Stuck or damaged steering ball joint
Replace N-14
Excessive tire and/or wheel runout Replace Section
Q
Loose lug nuts Tighten Section Q
Unbalanced wheel(s) Adjust or replace
Section 0
Incorrect tire pressure Adjust Section
Q
Unevenly worn tires Replace Section
Q
Malfunction of shock absorber Replace Section R
Loose shock absorber mounting bolts Tighten Section R
Stuck or damaged lower arm ball joint Replace
Section R
Cracked or worn suspension bushings
Replace Section R
Damaged .or worn front wheel bearing Replace Section M
Improperly adjusted front wheel alignment Adjust Section R
Excessive steering Worn steering gear
Replace N-12
wheel play
Worn or damaged steering joints Replace N- 9
Worn or damaged suspension arm bushings
Replace
Section R
Loose steering gear mounting bolts
Tighten N-12
Worn linkage or tie-rod ball joint
Replace N-12
Poor steering wheel Incorrect tire pressure
Adjust Section Q
return
Stuck or damaged steering joints
Replace N- 9
Improperly adjusted front wheel alignment
Adjust
Section R
Improper steering pinion preload
Replace gear
N-12
Ball joint not operating smoothly
Replace N-14
Steering shaft contacting something
Repair
N- 9
Abnormal noise from
Loose steering gear
Tighten N-12
steering system
Malfunctioning steering gear
Replace N-12
Obstruction near steering column
Repair or replace
N-12
Loose steering linkage
Tighten or replace N-12
Worn steering joints
Replace N- 9
05UONX-006
N-5